Disfellowshipping because of Sin: When, if ever?

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by MikeinAR

Trmpt I agree with everything you said. That's a very succint account of the case of so many in churches today.

I agree with Daniel that the only real classification of sin I find is that of a sexual nature being worse since it is done against our bodies. I think to classify homosexuality as "worse" than heterosexual fornication is taking liberty with scripture. The problem I see is how long is long enough to allow for repentance?

If a cohabitating or other practicing homosexual or heterosexual couple attends your church and has heard the truth of their sinfullness yet doesn't abandon their sin, how long is it ok to not disfellowship them? Two weeks, a month, two months?

I thought disfellowshipping was reserved for believers who returned to sin?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Let me wax spiritually philosophical here, (yeah right!). lol

This comes to mind, since I have been doing some youtube videos about the following issue, when reading this thread. Trees of Life as opposed to Trees of the Knowledge of good and evil.

Satan's offer to Eve was a fruit that had the ability to endow her with knowledge as to what is good and what is evil. He said it would make her as wise as God. And if you are as wise as God, why need the True God? And this is ingrained in humanity, and finds it s way into preaching and handling souls in many churches! Just provide them with a list of do's and don't's, and they can MAKE THEMSELVES do good and avoid evil.

This basically removes God from the picture. God wants to GIVE LIFE. When the adulterous woman was thrown at Jesus' feet, he distinctly said He did not condemn her. LAW -- knowledge of good and evil -- said she should be stoned. Jesus gave LIFE.

Ministry to struggling souls can either be done from a knowledge of good and evil, or Life! Knowledge of good and evil is where we get the message, "You KNOW what is right and wrong, and so you should not be doing the WRONG!" When, in fact, a person can STRUGGLE with what they know is wrong, and not get victory due to lack of God's LIFE being resorted to.

To impatiently cast away souls due to their repeated sinning is to thrive on the "knowledge of good and evil". It is not administering LIFE. There is too much of that in Apostolic circles, too! People need to learn to walk after the Spirit.

Paul did not say that if we give them enough rules as to what and what not to do, they will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. He said that if we walk after the Spirit we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Walking after the flesh is relying upon fleshly WILL POWER to serve God, and that fails! Walking after the Spirit is relying upon the SPIRIT LIFE inside of us that we received when we were filled with It!

By their FRUITS ye shall know them. Fruit of Life or Fruit of Knowledge of good and evil.

Brother Blume, this is an excellent post!!!!!

[Mrs. LPW]

I haven't read the entire thread through yet... just relating something I am aware of.
There was a man in a church between here and the north pole who was openly gay... eventually the pastor asked him to leave and not return because he was trying to spend time around the children.

If someone was a child molester, (sexual sin) I wouldn't think twice of disfellowshipping... what hard call as a Pastor. It would break your heart if you were a true pastor, to have to do such a thing.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Mrs. LPW

I haven't read the entire thread through yet... just relating something I am aware of.
There was a man in a church between here and the north pole who was openly gay... eventually the pastor asked him to leave and not return because he was trying to spend time around the children.

If someone was a child molester, (sexual sin) I wouldn't think twice of disfellowshipping... what hard call as a Pastor. It would break your heart if you were a true pastor, to have to do such a thing.

Amen and amen.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Brother Blume, this is an excellent post!!!!!

Thanks, sis.

[Raven]

Excellent posts, one and all! I've gleaned much from everyone. More of this type of discussion would be profitable for us all.
Raven

[Joelel]

Help them for a time to get their ducks in a row,if they will not then don't fellowship them.

[Praxeas]

OK I did not read up on this thread, but what is fellowship referring to here? Does it mean no contact at all? Are we talking about someone that is going to your church and living in sin openly or are we talking about someone that is not going to church (backsliding) and admits they are not right with God?

[Joelel]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Overtaken is one who falls into a sin and does it over and over. Everyone sins here and then but you can't pick up a sin and keep doing it over and over and over and never get victory.You disfellowship them who don't try to stop.

[TrmptPraise]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

OK I did not read up on this thread, but what is fellowship referring to here? Does it mean no contact at all? Are we talking about someone that is going to your church and living in sin openly or are we talking about someone that is not going to church (backsliding) and admits they are not right with God?

I believe we are talking about one who attends a church and is living in sin openly. Someone who perhaps by doing so, may (or may not) have an influence that would be a damage to the body.....Not talking about church acceptance of it, but rather someone who continues in sin, yet still takes their place on the pew with negative results to those around them.

Although, Dan's hypothetical does not necessarily describe that in detail...just what I have surmised from perusing the thread.