Hey Guys,
Thanks for the many replies and encouragement. Just to clarify something... this is a person who encouraged me and my wife when we first got saved and took us under their wing. This is or was a more "mature" believer. So to see a person like that who played a role in our (my wife's more than mine) spiritual development living like this is kind of shocking to say the least; even years after the fact. I mention this because as I was skimming some of the posts I saw one that made me think the poster thought I was the one to be an encouragement or mentor of some sort to my friend. But, in fact it was the other way around.
Most of my old church is in the same situation (divorce, adultery, drunkeness and not walking with the Lord). While the others make us a little sad this one person (my friend) really makes us sad and discouraged because of the closeness and nature of our relationship.
Thanks also for the prayers. I'll also pray for the posters in simialar situations as myself as we seek to do the Lords will in dealing with these situations.
Brian
Christian Relationships...
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_faydawg67117
- Posts: 18
- Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 10:38 pm
- Location: New York
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
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_Christopher
- Posts: 437
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 5:35 pm
- Location: Gladstone, Oregon
Hi Pete,
I think when Paul was saying "don't associate" or "even eat" with such a one, it may have had a different meaning than what we might think of today. But then again, I could be wrong. I wouldn't feel comfortable "pal-ing around" with someone who calls himself a Christian yet lives in sin. However, I would feel comfortable keeping the door open to bring about restoral and repentance.
I do know of certain churches that will discipline those who even have any contact with people that have been "shunned".
In my case, I work very closely with a person who still calls himself a Christian yet is clearly in rebellion against the Lord. So it would be very hard for me to not have any contact with him. I've even confronted him about it and he agrees with me!! But not enough to turn back. I still hold out hope for him though and I don't want to "shun" him. But I don't pal around with him either. We used to pray together in my office before work, but I wouldn't even feel comfortable doing that now.
I think we need to be firm in confronting sin in professing believers, but not harsh. And it should be approached with much fear and trembling. I think of what Paul told the Corinthians in his 2nd (or was it his 4th
) epistle:
2 Cor 7:8-12
8 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
NKJV
Paul showed that he had some regret in confronting them, but in the end rejoiced that they had repented. And showed that his confronting them was an act of love on his part.
I don't think I really have a good grasp on this sensitive issue yet, but that's what my heart tells me and that's how I currently understand the relevant scriptures.
I think when Paul was saying "don't associate" or "even eat" with such a one, it may have had a different meaning than what we might think of today. But then again, I could be wrong. I wouldn't feel comfortable "pal-ing around" with someone who calls himself a Christian yet lives in sin. However, I would feel comfortable keeping the door open to bring about restoral and repentance.
I do know of certain churches that will discipline those who even have any contact with people that have been "shunned".
In my case, I work very closely with a person who still calls himself a Christian yet is clearly in rebellion against the Lord. So it would be very hard for me to not have any contact with him. I've even confronted him about it and he agrees with me!! But not enough to turn back. I still hold out hope for him though and I don't want to "shun" him. But I don't pal around with him either. We used to pray together in my office before work, but I wouldn't even feel comfortable doing that now.
I think we need to be firm in confronting sin in professing believers, but not harsh. And it should be approached with much fear and trembling. I think of what Paul told the Corinthians in his 2nd (or was it his 4th
) epistle:2 Cor 7:8-12
8 For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter. 12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.
NKJV
Paul showed that he had some regret in confronting them, but in the end rejoiced that they had repented. And showed that his confronting them was an act of love on his part.
I don't think I really have a good grasp on this sensitive issue yet, but that's what my heart tells me and that's how I currently understand the relevant scriptures.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:31-32
Wow! I hope you didn't think I was talking about your main post/question.faydawg67117 wrote:Holier than thou attitude! I guess I'm holier than thou than.
Edit:
Very sorry about that, I feel really stupid now. I've not been back to this thread since I posted that and re-reading it I can see how it seemed I was responding to your original post. The Holier than thou comment was not meant for you at all. I was responding to djeaton's post. He was talking about how some people are looked down on by other church members when they fall in to sin, and from that point on leave the church and don't come back, showing thier attitude is no better than those in the church that showed no compassion. Forgiveness should work both ways.faydawg67117 wrote:When I read that reply that said something about being holier than thou;
Anyway, I'll have to be more careful next time and click on the "quote" button.
Last edited by Guest on Wed Dec 31, 1969 7:00 pm, edited 0 times in total.
Reason:
Reason:
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)