Rose said:
I've been reviewing a lot of what I've seen over the last 40 years and putting it all together to try to make sense of it all and of God. I've seen Christians do some pretty sinful things over the years. But I have equally seen Christians do some tricky mental gymnastics in EXCUSING overtly sinful behavior in OTHERS.
Sister: It is not our responsibility to "excuse" the sins of others, regardless of the church, denomination one is part of. The forgiveness of sin, or the issuance of punishment lies with God.
The part of your question about "associating" with sinners is more tricky. Jesus Himself said He did not come to earth to heal the righteous, but the sick. He was criticized for eating with sinners, "associating" with sinners. He also instructed the church to "go into all the world", and this is what makes it tricky to learn the difference between "associating" and being "a partner in" sinners/sinful acts.
The people in charge of this church you describe are FAR FROM Christians by any standard I read in the Bible. My question is why do you attend that church?
Rose said:
Has anyone else noticed this type of excusing of bad behavior? Christians seem to have the erroneous idea that this type of excusing of bad behavior doesn't matter. I looked for verses pertaining to it and all I could think of was one.
It seems to me you are far too liberal in the use of the term "Christian." Maybe that is the problem? The world if FULL of false teachers, regardless of what they claim to be.
God bless, find a Bible congregation, or, if that is not possible where you live, worship at home with your family. That would be my suggestion. And DO NOT identify all those who profess to be Christians as Christians. We are to discern the spirits. Do that before you choose what to call them.
I've been reviewing a lot of what I've seen over the last 40 years and putting it all together to try to make sense of it all and of God. I've seen Christians do some pretty sinful things over the years. But I have equally seen Christians do some tricky mental gymnastics in EXCUSING overtly sinful behavior in OTHERS.
Sister: It is not our responsibility to "excuse" the sins of others, regardless of the church, denomination one is part of. The forgiveness of sin, or the issuance of punishment lies with God.
The part of your question about "associating" with sinners is more tricky. Jesus Himself said He did not come to earth to heal the righteous, but the sick. He was criticized for eating with sinners, "associating" with sinners. He also instructed the church to "go into all the world", and this is what makes it tricky to learn the difference between "associating" and being "a partner in" sinners/sinful acts.
The people in charge of this church you describe are FAR FROM Christians by any standard I read in the Bible. My question is why do you attend that church?
Rose said:
Has anyone else noticed this type of excusing of bad behavior? Christians seem to have the erroneous idea that this type of excusing of bad behavior doesn't matter. I looked for verses pertaining to it and all I could think of was one.
It seems to me you are far too liberal in the use of the term "Christian." Maybe that is the problem? The world if FULL of false teachers, regardless of what they claim to be.
God bless, find a Bible congregation, or, if that is not possible where you live, worship at home with your family. That would be my suggestion. And DO NOT identify all those who profess to be Christians as Christians. We are to discern the spirits. Do that before you choose what to call them.
What I believe of Christ's character, I don't think He would befriend Mr. Sinner if He knew it would hurt Mrs. Jones. Especially if His befriending Mr. Sinner is like Him in effect saying "What you did isn't really that bad!"
Do you see what I'm saying?
I think that Christians have to realllllllly be careful as nothing is usually black and white.