Being here has been a tremendous culture shock, if I can be honest. I've posted with some of the nicest Saints that I've met anywhere but being totally candid - I don't ever go near the 'chat' area because the few times that I accidentally have, I surely got an ear full of the totally unexpected but I've also have been thrown for a loop by many posts in the different forum rooms by even just the title of some threads, nonetheless the contents.
I feel like I've walked into an entirely new era and it's not because of my age. I'm very young for my age and have been around every block that you can conceive of before and in ministry after salvation and ministered to every type of human that one can come up with.... but it's the REPLIES that are given to those that come out with blatant sin in their titles then posts that knock me out of my chair.
Women divulging private things in an open forum instead of in the Ladies Forum and the such and men doing the same with sexual sins when there Are Men's Groups here that women don't have to be exposed to.
Yes, the posting of 'masturbation' should be done privately between the sexes -- but the fact that So Many of both genders get in on those threads that are in public for any age or spiritual condition of a person can see is just totally Thoughtless!
Now the replies on here and then calling people "Brother" so flippantly or loosely is slapping The Word of God in His Face.
Everybody that says a few right words is called "Brother or Sister" here by some --- with totally No Regard for The Word of God.
I'm posting these verses and you 'discern' who is a brother or sister in Christ Jesus!
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
To revoke membership is not excommunicate or drive someone out altogether .... as long as the person is supervised and is not alone with the young in the Church. To remove membership is Biblically applicable - and it would also be appropriate to offer Biblical Counseling to any person that is 'in' sin.
If someone knows that they ARE 'in' sin and yet gets stiff-necked that they should be permitted to have the voting privilege of a member - then they are reprobate, void of conscience and need to read the verses posted above and ask themselves if they truly want to be "A Biblical Christian or not?" --- and if the answer is honestly otherwise --- then they are just masquerading in any Biblical Christian Church that they attend and mocking The Word of God made flesh & written... void of conscience.
It's up to this person to "Choose THIS DAY, whom you will serve".
If you're not physically acting out with a member of the same gender - are not acting out sexually in any manner - whether through viewing these acts online or elsewhere, etc. etc. and Struggling to see where this is Scripturally equivalent to Consistent-Adultery .... then seek help from this or a Pastor.
If you not see from His Word where this is equivalent to Consistent-Adultery, then do not call yourself a Christian and neither should anybody else.
I am beginning to wonder how many Biblical Christians there are left in this world and it's not anger I'm feeling but am fighting tears.