Joshua 1:8
"...[B]ut you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success." (Joshua 1:8).
"You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." (John 5:39).
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13).
Hmmm...the end of this chapter is interesting. We are not to remove ourselves from or judge the world but we are to judge one another in Christ and remove those who claim to be Christians but clearly are practicing wickedness.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the ending of this chapter I think of excommunication - and how you used to be kicked out of the church when you broke the rules (ie divorce, infidelity, etc). However, now we assume the "we love everyone and accept them position", and frankly if you are excommunicated from the church you whine about it and go find another church that will accept you. The problem with that of course is that it neglects to acknowledge the sin. I mean if we truly loved the individual that this chapter speaks of, we would be harder on them right? Letting them continue in their sin would be in direct opposition of loving them.
DeletePoint to ponder: what is the meaning of verse 5?
ReplyDeleteI kind of read verse 5 as a "tough love" approach. Hand them over to Satan as in, let them hit rock bottom so that they will be inspired to repent.
DeleteNice! I think you're right on Mary.
ReplyDeleteAs for your comment on excommunication, I agree and I like your statement, "letting them continue in their sin would be in direct opposition to loving them." I think you're right on and the key word is "continue". As believers, we ought to have the courage to lovingly confront those who are blatantly disregarding God's word and, should they choose to "continue" in their rebellion, to put them out. However, we ought to always remember to offer grace just as we were offered Grace and to walk with them through their difficulties.
Being a prodigal myself, I can completely identify with this chapter. God will pursue those who turn from Him and we ought to as well. Thank God for that!
Sorry. That last post was from Josh.
ReplyDelete"God will pursue those who turn from Him and we ought to as well. Thank God for that!"
ReplyDeleteAmen to this.
Informative posts. Thank you. If this was facebook I would "like" them all. :)