Joey Wrote:
I think there is God given discernment that must be used when executing judgment for different, individual cases. For example, I still have many weaknesses of the flesh, so I really try not to judge or rebuke others who have those same weaknesses. However, in certain cases, I think we are probably instructed to point out to a brother any willful sin with a hardened heart. For example, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:
11But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.Again, I believe this is someone who is repeatedly shown the truth of his sinful actions and yet hardens himself and still tries to associate with honest seeking brethren. Sometimes it can be tricky to discern, but we can't allow that type of behavior in our midst or else we ourselves may fall pray to disobedience. We should always be merciful in our judgments, but we must also keep in mind:
Galatians 6
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.This is not an easy task, walking that fine line of showing a brother his faults gently, without falling victim to sinfulness ourselves. On the other hand, we must not be too overbearing, especially if someone is committing a sin that may be a weakness of our own, lest we make ourselves out to be a hypocrite.
Joey,
Most people take 1st Corinthians 5 and distinguish(separate) themselves from people in the same way the Pharisees did.
Sorta like: "thank you Lord Im not a sinner like that one or this one".
Jud 1:21 keep yourselves
in the love of God,
eagerly awaiting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to everlasting life.
Jud 1:22 And pity some, making a distinction.(seperation)
Jud 1:23 But save others from the fear, snatching them out of the fire, hating even the garment being stained from the flesh.
Remember Paul called the Corinthians idolators, greedy,immoral yet did not separate himself from them.
If one wishes to be under the law then he must live by the law (and judge under the law)
1Ti 1:5 but the end of the commandment is
love out of a pure heart and a good conscience, and faith not pretended, 1Ti 1:6 from which having missed the mark, some turned aside to empty talking,
1Ti 1:7
wishing to be teachers of law, neither understanding what they say, nor about that which they confidently affirm.
1Ti 1:8 And we know that the Law is good, if anyone uses it lawfully,
1Ti 1:9 knowing this, that Law is not laid down for a righteous one, but for lawless and undisciplined ones, for ungodly and sinful ones, for unholy and profane ones, for slayers of fathers and slayers of mothers, for murderers,
1Ti 1:10 for fornicators, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and if any other thing opposes sound doctrine,
and
yes if you murder once, you are a murderer, and if you lie once you are a liar.Joey,
can a person who calls himself a believer and lies, disassociate(not eat with) with another person who calls himself a believer and is greedy?Galatians 6
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should
restore him gently. But watch yourself, or
you also may be tempted.[/b]
lets look at a little more of this:
Gal 6:1 Brothers, if a man is overtaken in some deviation, you,
the spiritual ones, restore such a one
in the spirit of meekness,
considering yourself, that you not also be tempted.
Gal 6:2
Bear one another's burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. (not the law of commands)
Gal 6:3 For
if anyone thinks to be something, he deceives himself, being nothing.
These verses are completely talking about love, and loving another. With the full understanding of being a sinner just as the one being restored.
Lets leave the things of the Law to those who are trying to follow the Law, as if they are trying to obtain something.
Lets Live under Christ's law of LOVE.
Lets
not look to disassociate or not eat with, because of their tresspasses. Lets look to putting our arms around them and keep them from falling, and if they fall, help them up again...and again..
Oh Yes, according to the LAW, David should not have ate the temple bread. But David acted under Christ's Law of Mercy, and
did break the Law of Commands, only to fulfill the Law of Mercy.