Who is more holy?

When is a sin really sin?
It is a sin when the scripture clearly defines it as sin.
Is it sin if it is implied or inferred that it is a sin without being clearly stated?
Is there any room for saying that this is "best practice"?

I try not to put people out of the assembly - but it is much easier than getting them in.
Funny thing about wheat and tares - they look the same, that's why he said to leave them to grow up together.
Case in point.
Years ago there were two women, both saved (at least as far as I know).
One was a pain, the other helpful and on fire. Years later, the pain is helpful and is serving God, the helpful on fire one would need GPS to find him. Assuming the situation remains the same until judgment day - which is wheat and which is tare?

[Felicity]

Good posts Guy! I agree!

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by tbpew

I just do not see the foolishness of those who continue in the base works of the flesh as being all that threatening to the well-being of the assembly.

Not sure what "base works of the flesh" are? As I answered earlier, I'm talking about those in known sin, things such as rebellion to the pastor, adultery, fornication, lying, stealing, murmuring (beyond your typical gossip), etc. Paul lists a whole lot of them, as you know, in many letters. I believe that these are the sins that left unconfronted in a scriptural manner cause great damage to a local assembly. And, I truly don't think we know how much damage, because the action is never taken that is granted by the Lord that would rid the assembly of that person or persons.

It's the folks who scheme to bring accussation between the brethren that are crafty and subtil using good words and fair speeches.

I guess I'd just put them right there in the group above. I really don't see how one is worse than the other, and I'd guess it depends on the circumstance as to how disruptive it is.

What is the lifestyle you are seeing (or imagining) is getting a "pass" in our modern assemblies?

Mostly rebellion to the pastor, but other things that seem minor, like gossiping (leading to people leaving, but it's just the wrong ones who leave!) and lying. No, it's not everyday or prevalent, and it eventually "goes away". I just wonder how much more effective the scriptural process is than the man-made "bury your head" (tolerate?) method.

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by Guy

When is a sin really sin?
It is a sin when the scripture clearly defines it as sin.
Is it sin if it is implied or inferred that it is a sin without being clearly stated?
Is there any room for saying that this is "best practice"?

You answered your own question.
It's sin when scripture calls it sin.
I think scriptural practice is the best practice.

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by Guy

I try not to put people out of the assembly - but it is much easier than getting them in.
Funny thing about wheat and tares - they look the same, that's why he said to leave them to grow up together.
Case in point.
Years ago there were two women, both saved (at least as far as I know).
One was a pain, the other helpful and on fire. Years later, the pain is helpful and is serving God, the helpful on fire one would need GPS to find him. Assuming the situation remains the same until judgment day - which is wheat and which is tare?

I'm sure most try not to resort to dismissal.
I think He said to let them grow together because of the possibility of damaging the good crop while yanking up the bad. My understanding is that they only look alike until fruit-bearing stages.
I don't see how the comparison works? One chose to backslide, it seems. Was there any reason to remove either of them at any point? I don't get the relationship to what we've been discussing?

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Guy

I try not to put people out of the assembly - but it is much easier than getting them in.
Funny thing about wheat and tares - they look the same, that's why he said to leave them to grow up together.
Case in point.
Years ago there were two women, both saved (at least as far as I know).
One was a pain, the other helpful and on fire. Years later, the pain is helpful and is serving God, the helpful on fire one would need GPS to find him. Assuming the situation remains the same until judgment day - which is wheat and which is tare?

Interesting...added proof that looks/outward actions can be deceiving...

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by OGIA

I'm sure most try not to resort to dismissal.
I think He said to let them grow together because of the possibility of damaging the good crop while yanking up the bad. My understanding is that they only look alike until fruit-bearing stages.
I don't see how the comparison works? One chose to backslide, it seems. Was there any reason to remove either of them at any point? I don't get the relationship to what we've been discussing?

What Guy is saying is he might have thrown out the wheat that looked like a tare and in so doing the person might have been destroyed.

Instead he let him remain in the church even though he wasn't doing right in hopes that somewhere along the way he'd mature and grow and become obedient to the will of God.

What if he'd thrown him out of the church?

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by OGIA

You answered your own question.
It's sin when scripture calls it sin.
I think scriptural practice is the best practice.

Easy to say. Like I said most of the preachers would say ....... "save them at all costs" ..... including the most conservative among us.

[Barb]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Easy to say. Like I said most of the preachers would say ....... "save them at all costs" ..... including the most conservative among us.

Not a conservative preacher here, but I agree...who is to say when someone has reached a point of receiving the boot of judgment?!

Certainly, as someone...maybe it was you, pointed out the other day, there are exceptions to every rule. Division I believe was mentioned, and there is the case where my former pastor had to remove a minister of music and his 'friend'.

There are exceptions to every situation, but the foremost thought should be the recovery of a soul...JMHO...!!