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I'm a virgin by choice, and I would be willing to consider it.Some would. I personally would not, since I'm a virgin and all that would be weird.
The difference between that thinking and mine is that I recognize that I am not Christ. I am not a healer of all wounds. That is something I've tried to be, and I won't go there again. God would need to do a LOT of healing in her life for me to consider it. I want my future wife to love me and enjoy having sex and otherwise being intimate with me. If God has healed a woman to the point where she could do that, I would consider her.I'm a virgin by choice, and I would be willing to consider it.
Would there be baggage? Sure... but if they person has truly repented and has the right kind of character, then I would at least consider it. The way I see if, if Christ is willing to overlook these things, then so can I.
This isn't right at all. If she repented and converted, it would be unfair to both of you.I know as a sunday school teacher in the real world if I where to start seeing an ex prostitute and the congregation knew about it they would probably want to have me removed from teaching.
With all due respect then, that doesn't sound ilke a church that's serving God faithfully. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but I think it's the truth.I know as a sunday school teacher in the real world if I where to start seeing an ex prostitute and the congregation knew about it they would probably want to have me removed from teaching.
This isn't right at all. If she repented and converted, it would be unfair to both of you.
With all due respect then, that doesn't sound ilke a church that's serving God faithfully. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh, but I think it's the truth.
I wonder what such a church would have said about the Apostle Paul? Paul, after all, was a persecutor of the brethren. He assisted in the stoning of believers such as Stephen, which is many times worse than a life of prostitution would be. I wonder how many churches initially tried to spurn Paul, saying, "He used to be a horrible sinner! Don't let your daughters go out with this man!"
my honest opinion? If he's the right man he will recognize that she is a sinner saved by grace whose sins are all nailed to the cross and those sins aren't something she's carrying anymore. He will recognize that whats in the past is just the past and cannot be helped and therefore there is no good on dwelling on it or holding a grudge against that woman because of it. He will just see a Godly woman whose life story is a testament to the glory of God's love and mercy and he will love her unconditionally.
so my advice to that woman would be not to worry about it. The right guy is not going to make her past an issue or a barrier to a healthy and Godly relationship.
Your right it would be. But thats an ideal world in an ideal church.
Are there sinful people in the church? Certainly. All churches will have their shortcomings. Nevertheless, the teaching of Christ's forgiveness is basic, easy to grasp, and (most importantly) absolutely central to the gospel message. Any church that fails to practice this teaching is not a church that's worth attending.This is the sinful world in a good but still sinful church. And even in the best of churches people still judge and people look down upon certain past sins and fail to forgive them.
Ok let us say I find myself in that hypothetical situtation you mentioned...
being a Sunday School Teacher to 8th Graders at a church where they would want you out for loving an EX(As in Once was, is No more)-Prostitute.....
my reaction? I'd ask the Pastor for a few minutes before one of the services and explain to them in no uncertain terms why they are wrong to be acting like heathens and judging this New Creation who has been changed by the Grace of God, and also how you have to teach their children the basics of the faith because 85% of Christian Parents don't even do that at home.... then rail against them all being sinners, having sinned various sins in the past, and some of them are most likely struggling with sins even now...who are they to Judge someone who has stopped sinning because of their past/present?
And then, I'd say something about how The Altar is always open for those who are repentant and want to pray about their sinful attitudes.....
Yeah, I know doing that, I'd possibly be asked to resign by the Pastor if he's the type to care more about bodies than souls...... if he did though, I'd tell him, ok, but then tell him I'm looking for a Church that actually preaches the Word of God and doesn't judge based on worldly standards but on heavenly ones......
just my thoughts on what I would do in that situation.....
again, I've been single for a long time(8 years this Sept) so it would be someone special for me to break being single and date.... and yeah I've given it a lot of thought.....
I strongly disagree. Even a NON-ideal church should recognize that a person's sins are in the past.
Do you think that the Corinthian church was ideal? Not at all; in fact, Paul had some pretty harsh things to say about all of them. Nevertheless, they were willing to overlook his past and welcome him as a brother.
What about the Thessalonians? Or the Galatians? or the Colossians? None of them were ideal churchs either, yet they recognized that Paul's sins were in the past.
Are there sinful people in the church? Certainly. All churches will have their shortcomings. Nevertheless, the teaching of Christ's forgiveness is basic, easy to grasp, and (most importantly) absolutely central to the gospel message. Any church that fails to practice this teaching is not a church that's worth attending.
And with all due respect to the readers here, I declare... If your church is the type that would demand your removal from ministry because you're dating an ex-prostitute -- even a repentant one -- then I think you should leave that church and never darken its door again.
Its not only something you have to forgive but also for me that would be drop dead frightening considering marrying someone who's been around the block that many times.
So I understand a guy who couldn't but I have a ton of respect for a guy that could.
Actually, I don't think it's strictly true that al sin is equal in God's eyes. This article explains why I say that.jubilationtcornpone...I couldn't have said it better myself.
Sin is sin - no sin is greater or less sinful than another...and ALL sin is forgiven when we come to the Lord with a repentent heart...
So if we follow the line of logic displayed by the church in Luther073082's post then NO ONE would be able to be in ministry...because again all sin is sin...so who would be worthy to minister.
I strongly disagree. Even a NON-ideal church should recognize that a person's sins are in the past.
Do you think that the Corinthian church was ideal? Not at all; in fact, Paul had some pretty harsh things to say about all of them. Nevertheless, they were willing to overlook his past and welcome him as a brother.
What about the Thessalonians? Or the Galatians? or the Colossians? None of them were ideal churchs either, yet they recognized that Paul's sins were in the past.
Are there sinful people in the church? Certainly. All churches will have their shortcomings. Nevertheless, the teaching of Christ's forgiveness is basic, easy to grasp, and (most importantly) absolutely central to the gospel message. Any church that fails to practice this teaching is not a church that's worth attending.
And with all due respect to the readers here, I declare... If your church is the type that would demand your removal from ministry because you're dating an ex-prostitute -- even a repentant one -- then I think you should leave that church and never darken its door again.
Hey I agree with you guys on this.
But I'm trying to be a realist here and in real life a lot of people are going to have problems with this.
You and I both know there are a lot of Christian in every congregation that are very judgemental. Sexual sins get judged very harshly by these people. And a lot may confess the teachings of Christ but in real life want nothing to do with sinners. I'm sorry but I think your being too ideal or blind if you can't recognize this.
The leaders of my congregation have that grace and it wouldn't bother them. But the majority of people in any church don't study the bible daily, cherry pick their passages, and are more willing to judge someone then forgive when it comes to that.
I'm not saying its right because it is not right theologically or any other way. However its real life.
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