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Originally Posted by OBW
Sorry if it misunderstood. But when it comes to determining what the Bible says and what it means, it should be obvious that it is not always a simple thing. "In the day you eat thereof" they did not surely die. We had to think about that for a while and understand that instead the process of dying began. Or it was spiritually that we died.
And are we sure that it was a correct assumption that Adam and Eve would otherwise live forever, or just a vey long time?
You get the point. When you make statements like "The trustees reacted poorly to the one who told them the truth" it appears that the interpretation of the ones making the case is presumed correct. But is it really the truth? Are we sure? Just because we have read it that way for years, even centuries?
For example, who is Paul taking about when he comments on someone building with gold, sliver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble?
I had more, but I will leave it at that for now. I may have misunderstood what you meant, but you must admit that it was not entirely ridiculous to presume otherwise.
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These examples are valid for discussion, but not a matter of sin. They are not a matter I would take to the church leadership.
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I would suggest that the church was much more tolerant in the beginning that it became over the centuries. That does not mean that the apparent softening in this day is consistent with where the church was at the beginning. But should we simply stick with the addendums of rules that we have added over the years? Should we be in the business of punishing and scolding, or in the business of beckoning and encouraging? Should we be busy trying to get it all right and forcing it on everyone else, or busy trying to live righteously. Both in personal righteousness and in the "love one another" acts of justice.
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The organized church has never been the standard. The Bible was written to be the standard for the church, not the other way around. Christians are exhorted to obey the commands in the Bible. Whatever today's organized church is, or isn't, can't be the determining factor for what God has called the church.
Should we be busy trying to get it all right?
Is that a bad idea?
and forcing it on everyone else?
No.
Should we be in the business of punishing and scolding?
No.
or in the business of beckoning and encouraging?
Of course. Yes.
Live righteously?
Certainly.
These are extremes (on the negative end), and not the only options for living as a Christian who cares for the truth as well as members of the Body of Christ. No Christian I know aspires to force, punishment and scolding as a way to communicate with other Christians.
You live your life, before the Lord, walking in His light, living righteously as best you can. When you fail, when you sin, confess and repent. With others, you love them, speak the truth in love, fellowship the Word, help them to walk in the light of the Word. Receive mutually from one another.
When the church leadership acts secretly about matters of concern to the Body, you say something to them...if the Lord leads.
Forcing, punishing, scolding...of course not. Yet, should we turn a blind eye to sin in the camp? Sometimes you need to tell someone something they don't want to hear. You can beckon and encourage them with something they don't want to hear. You can love them enough to tell them the truth (see the 10 Commandments).
Speak the truth in love, and here is the truth to which I refer:
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. (Old testament)
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10.You shall not covet (your neighbor's wife)
Some of these are preached: murder, stealing, lying. People need to hear them all.
Nell