Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | pagan or tax collector vs. love enemy | Matt 18:15 | smsdavis | 104418 | ||
1 Corinthians 5:11 says "But 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." Matthew 18:15-17 says "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector." But Matthew 5:44-48 says "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." So..if someone sins against me or is a sexually immoral christian I am not supposed to even eat with them and treat them as a pagan or a tax collector but yet I am also told to love my enemies. I am having an ongoing problem with friends who profess to be christians but live a very sexually immoral life. They have tried to destroy my marriage by lies and deceptions. I have confronted them and they have denied everything saying I'm crazy and I made everything up (I have written proof of everything and they claim I am "misinterpreting" what was being said). So..what is one to do with these kinds of people? I say we should avoid them "with these people do not even eat." My husband, however, says we should love them and forgive them and turn the other cheek. There is scripture to support both positions. There has to be a "right" way to handle such a situation. Does anyone have an answer that can emcompas both points of view? |
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2 | pagan or tax collector vs. love enemy | Matt 18:15 | Aixen7z4 | 104419 | ||
It may be that there is a bridge to the two position in this passage from Luke 17. :3ff Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. Your husband is correct, that we need to forgive. But there is no such thing as forgiveness without repentance. One of the reasons we withdraw from a brother or sister is that they might feel sorrow and repent (2 Corinthians 7:10). When they do repent, fellowship should be restored. |
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3 | repent or not repent...that is the quest | Matt 18:15 | smsdavis | 104446 | ||
I will agree with that. But if they do not repent and continue in their ways spreading lies and doing malicious things then what are we to do? If they would repent and ask forgiveness the answer is easy. But if they do not...then where does that leave me? I am told to forgive even if the other person doesn't ask forgiveness. Am I justified in avoiding these people until they repent? |
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4 | repent or not repent...that is the quest | Matt 18:15 | Aixen7z4 | 104450 | ||
You are not only justified in doing that, you are asked, by God, to do that. It is for the good of the other person. be careful, however, that you understand exactly how that is to be done. You should familiarize yourself with the Scriptures concerning these things. 2 Thessalonians 3:14, 15 etc. “ And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother”. I believe the Scripture is clear that we should approach the person individually at the outset. Eventually, however, if our individual effort does not have the intended effect, the matter must be taken to the church. It is doubtful that the action of withdrawing from the person will have the intended effect unless it is an action of the church as a whole. The leaders will have to make the decision. Again, there is no such thing as forgiveness without repentance. It is required for a restoration of fellowship among individuals, with the church, and with God. |
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