Posted by john on September 20, 2002 at 11:36:02:
In Reply to: touchy subject but it has to be talked about regardless... posted by Mister Metal on September 20, 2002 at 09:05:51:
I understand your feelings, and I agree that we should not allow blatant sin to go on without speaking up, but I think we have to be careful not to become fascist with it. It is our job to say something, I've recently been feeling convicted about being too soft in the name of accepting people, but we still have to love the person.
I think there are 2 main things I consider. If the person has professed to be a Christian, by this I mean they have willingly given their life to God. If not, then we can't expect them to abide by the standards.
The second thing is that I try to make a distincton in making it known that I disagree with their action and see it as sin, and in what I do about it from there. Certainly there are circumstances where the church leadership needs to deal with the sin of a member, but i'm not talking about that because frankly neither of us are church leaders. We're speaking as friends to friends. So if I tell someone, "hey you know you shouldn't be doing that." then I'm going to leave it at that, making a conscious effort to still accept the person. They may get upset, but so what, my actions and the Holy spirit will hopefully bear out to the person that my intentions were not to hurt or discourage.
If it gets worse, or I see real signs of damage to the person, I can make the decision to intervene more later.
Truly a tough subject. Ultimatley listen to God's leading.
: ok here is my deal yall..i know that this is a church we are in and i know that the church is supposed to be more than a christian club that makes people feel like they belong..last time i checked it was...correct me if i am wrong.
: i am a very sensitive and observant person..and when sin is in the camp i refuse to be quiet about it..maybe i am wrong but i feel that some others would wish to overlook that and it just bothers me for i am tryin to serve GOD..i was gonna save this for sunday but i figured i'd talk about it now...and i am grieved as i am sure others are...when sin or a brother or sister is allowed to just live whatever way they please to because its "their life"..the minute you gave your life to jesus..and chose to be a part of the circle known as the brethren in church...YOU LOST YOUR LIFE!
: it now belongs to GOD and you are accountable to the brethren...none of this,"Its my life..sorry if you dont agree with it." business..its not about you..
: i was just wantin to know if anyone here is even feeling what i am tryin to accomplish by doin this...there are things that can be overlooked..yes granted that..i can overlook a brother havin a beer or smokin..but when he is in a compromising situation that becomes a stumbling block and is grieving my spirit than something must be done about it..
: somebody please tell me i am not alone on this one..and even if i am..i will not step down if i have to be the lone ranger and have no one by my side...so be it..i will stand up for what is right..he who stands for nothing will fall for anything.