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NASB | Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 3:23 since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, |
Bible Question: I have a brother who continues to outwardly sin. Do I not let him into our bible study group or discipline by separation in any way? |
Bible Answer: (part 2 of my original answer) Let me share with you briefly my conversion experience. Several years ago, after a number of experiences I encountered with God outside the assistance of a church, God finally led me me to one day walk into a local church. Now, though I was being drawn to God and Christ, I was still living a habitual lifestyle of "sin" because I didn't yet understand that my lifestyle was sinful. Thank God this church, who was full of converts like me, welcomed me, embraced and showed nothing but love to me. Their focus was not on my lifestyle. Their attitude was not that of judgment. They didn't approach me with this legalistic "holier than thou" attitude and say "well first before you can learn about the teachings of Christ, you first have to check off this list of "to do's and "not to do's", THEN we will teach you." Thank God this was my initial experience. As I came to know and understand what Christ did for me and how he wanted me to live, I began to gradually change. It was the work of the Holy Spirit that set me free from that destructive lifestyle. I didn't change because the church cast me out and thereby "taught me a lesson". If they would have done that, oh my God, that would have been such a violent perpetration against my soul....the harm that action would have caused would be the REAL sin. (Remember, that when Paul instructs the church in Corinth to cast out that man was because that man was claiming to be a believer and did know better. He knew better and was not only commiting this sin (incest), but proud of it in a boastful manner. This is a specific matter that Paul knew about and should not be used as a set formula to apply to every nonchristian who is sinning.) I hope I didn't come across as too harsh or presumptive. I'm not saying that you are a pharisee, I don't know you, but this is a topic that is very close to my heart and I beseech you to be very careful how you handle this matter and seek God's heart as to how your attitude and treatment of your brother should be. Respectfully yours, -M p.s. Out of curiosity, when you say "continues to outwardly sin" what is this or these "outward" sins he is committing? I'm just trying to get a gauge for what kind of behaviour he is exhibiting. Have you talked to him about it? I really hope you don't tell me something like he is smoking cigarettes. lol |