Results 1 - 2 of 2
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Homosexual are picked on in the church? | James 2:1 | mark d seyler | 177347 | ||
Hi Journey me, I'd like to differentiate between the "apparent church" and the "true church". The "apparent church" is composed of those who, for whatever reason, have chosen to identify with Christianity, but who have not actually come into a relationship with God by being born again. The "true church" is composed of those who have been reborn, who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and who are in the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus. Of the "true church", there are those who are more and those who are less conformed to the image of Christ. Within the "apparent church", there is little if any difference between them and the unchurched, because they are all unsaved, without the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. They will be completely susceptible to any and all sins including sexual immorality of all descriptions, thefts, drug use, lies, judging, hypocrisy, and so on. (I would like to add that according to many sources (university, government) the actual rate of homosexuality is more like 2 percent.) Within the "true church", all of these things will exist as well, but only against the constant struggle of the Spirit working in our lives. I have never been witness to a pastor disfellowshipping a homosexual, but I have seen those who were sexually immoral in other ways disfellowshipped. So I suppose it depends on where you are at the time. :-) No sin is easy to stop, and again, I want to agree with you, that we should not fixate on one sin to the exclusion of others. But we are not commanded any less to repent of sexual sins then of lying or stealing. And the unrepentant thief will not be treated any different by God than the unrepentant sexually immoral - of any brand - and should not be treated any differently by us. I don't know where you live, but you would be welcome to visit the congregation I fellowship in, and I assure you, we do not treat one person different from another. I do not condone those who do. Nor would you, should you come to my congregation, see "a sea of immorality". That is the "apparent church". Not the "true church" I am in a fairly small congregation, which is on fire for the Lord, and those who are not that way tend not to stick around. They find that they just don't fit in. We must do everything in our power to share Christ with all people, and I pray that we both are mightily effective in the power of God to accomplish that. Love in Christ, Mark |
||||||
2 | Homosexual are picked on in the church? | James 2:1 | journey_me | 177352 | ||
I agree. Thanks. I used the 10 percent statistic not for those accounting themeselves as homosexuals, but those who may have done an unnatural sex act at some point. The numbers are smaller than we think, but you wouldn't know from all the press. This is the most response I have ever gotten on a question. Thanks to all, Brad K, Mark, and Hank. Love ya. Keep up the good work!!! |
||||||