Sin of the Flock

[oneofchrists]

Hi everyone!..........This is the first time that I have posted on the Hamartiology forum.....Just thought that I could put a question out there and find out Your views both scripturally and personally.

I lead a senior mens sunday school class and the subject of "Sin in the flock" came up. There are a few newer Christian men in our class and the subject of allowing those that outwardly and knowingly sin, wanting to help in the Sunday School or singing in our Choir............They don't think that it should be a problem. We only had a short time remaining when the subject came up..........I explained that Sin can Destoy a congregation and ultimately render Our testimony as the body of Christ powerless to haveing Gods power evident in what we do for God .

Sort of like if We allow sin to prevail we are not honoring God and much to our own dis service, even putting a choke hold on what we do spiritually we would render ourselves powerless because there is sin in the Camp. Ultimately negating any opportunity for revival in this small portion of His vinyard.

God Bless all of You and all who read this thread.......Dave

 

[bling]

This sounds right, the problem is in our dealing with sin in the flock. We need to be able to truly fellowship the members before we can disfellowship anyone. Do these members feel they are sinning or do they feel they are doing what everyone else is doing?

 

[oneofchrists]

We are not talking even of dis fellowshipping only that the discussion was heading to the matter of fact direction to only permit those who are not committing sin in order that they might take part in any church office.

As far as these younger Christians that I speak of they are only Young in Christ, one is my age and the other older, One has been a Christian for six years the other a little longer. They cannot seem to get their heads around the idea that We must not allow these folk into any position in our fellowship unless they have made a profession of faith and if they are sinning openly and unrepentant then they must not be allowed into the operations or functions of our fellowship.

They feel sorry for those that we discretely rebuke and feel that they should be allowed to partake in the work of the Lord............I think the answer is quiteimple but they don't see it. (quite frankly I feel that we could do more to take a hard line on outward and blatent sin)

I feel a repentance of sin and profession of faith is in order for all who desire to do the work of the Lord, and after that Baptism I don't think I am off base, do You?....God Bless you Bling!....and anyone who reads this thread..........Dave

 

[bling]

Dave,
I agree with you. So are these men really Christians or just attending Church with you? If they do not have the indwelling Holy Spirit they may not be able to "stop" their sinning. This is a different problem than working with baptized believers.

 

[DonnyT]

We are not talking even of dis fellowshipping only that the discussion was heading to the matter of fact direction to only permit those who are not committing sin in order that they might take part in any church office.

As far as these younger Christians that I speak of they are only Young in Christ, one is my age and the other older, One has been a Christian for six years the other a little longer. They cannot seem to get their heads around the idea that We must not allow these folk into any position in our fellowship unless they have made a profession of faith and if they are sinning openly and unrepentant then they must not be allowed into the operations or functions of our fellowship.

They feel sorry for those that we discretely rebuke and feel that they should be allowed to partake in the work of the Lord............I think the answer is quiteimple but they don't see it. (quite frankly I feel that we could do more to take a hard line on outward and blatent sin)

I feel a repentance of sin and profession of faith is in order for all who desire to do the work of the Lord, and after that Baptism I don't think I am off base, do You?....God Bless you Bling!....and anyone who reads this thread..........Dave

IMO if you've told them to stop doing w/e sin they're doing and they continue to do it openly and in the church, then this is a problem. 1 Cor 5 talks about a similar situation. But the "age" as you put it of a believer IMO should not be an issue if they wanna serve positions under the leaders.