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There are various scripture in the Bible that talks about how to deal with individuals in the church when they become out of order in some sort of way, but what I am curious if any of you have ever gotten to the point where you actually had to ex-communicate yourself from a fellow believer? If so what were the circumstances?
There are various scripture in the Bible that talks about how to deal with individuals in the church when they become out of order in some sort of way, but what I am curious if any of you have ever gotten to the point where you actually had to ex-communicate yourself from a fellow believer? If so what were the circumstances?
Several times..
Once was with a couple who started talking this crazy talk about being God's anointed and chosen to spread the word. They were convinced everyone who did not attend their church was headed for hell.
Also, several months after we started our fellowship, they insisted I trash my satanic NIV and pick up a KJV, as that was the ONLY bible that was approved by God. I had to stop listening to contemporary christian music (Petra, DeGarmo & Key, and even turn away from christian RAP!)
They were on this repentant kick and started praying forgiveness for everything they did. Suddenly they were unable to distinguish between right and wrong and felt everything that was did on the word was a sin!
There were determined to tell everyone they met that if they did not accept Jesus they would burn for all eternity in hell.
It was really sad to watch them spiral into the abyss. When I last saw them, they were alone, literally as they had divorced from each other and found a home in different evangelical Baptist churches--each referring to the other as a heretic and back-sliding christian..
I do not believe in excommunicating anyone from my life. I am able to let go with love. I make myself available if there is need.
We learn lessons from every relationship. The trick is to pay attention to the lesson presented to you.
I prefir to agree with God .
When some one is obviously misled, it is important to confront them personally then publically if posible.
Often times though people tend to defend ther position all the more, right or wrong.
The bible is not the end of all God has to say ,thus Jesus provided the Holy spirit to continue teachng in is place.
With out the Holy Spirit men struggle against one another over scriptures, something God had Not intended. obviously.
With in every situation it is impotant to find God's direction in dealing with others.
Just like the the children of Israel comming into the promised land ,each battle was dealt with independently, and when they atmpted to go on ther own, they lost miserably ,did you learn any thing yet ?
When teaching the discipes to pray the last words ar the most important ,"thy will be done".
David said it too " trust in the Lord with ALL your heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding , and in ALL thy ways acknowlede HIM and He shall direct thy path."
Have you been paying attention ?
I have not had to abandon any one ,they rather abandon me.
And a man determined to go the way of drugs rather than God in his life, (having grown up in church) I asked him that," so long as he was going to live that way , tell no one he had been a christian."
Further, that if I were asked about his faith, I would deny he had any relationship.
I would seriously be surprized if he were alive today, the way he choose to go.
He choose to disasocate him self and vigerously pursued the drug culture and turned into a jelly brain.
Remember that Jesus did not chase any one, nor argue others into believing .
If some one is determined to be rebellious let them be . do not throw pearls before swine, (those determined to be unbelieving).
Jesus said it first.
I have never felt the need to not treat another Christian as a brother. However, I have excluded myself from people who I considered false Christians. EG: Man and his gf shacking up but claiming themselves to be Christian.
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"I've got a fightin' side a mile wide but I pray for peace"
(set 13 days ago)
Location: Florida
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Having been an elder, yes... I know there are tares among the wheat and there are wolves among the sheep. Having said that... the church is for a sinner as a hospital is for the ill.
Christians shoot way too many of our wounded.
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