I am off for the night... I think this thread has played out it's lifespan.
For those who have gotten to know me over these last months... I think it is clear that I am a born again... sold out... totally in love with JESUS little lamb.
Because I am NOT churched... and have never been churched... I have only seen Catholicism and legalism play out in my lifetime.
I am quite sure that I am NOT properly understanding the term CORRECTION within the confines of the church. I have heard horror stories of people having to stand in FRONT of the congregation to confess some sort of sin or another.
The above to state that I have a really BAD taste in my mouth regarding "correction".
Anyways... I will let this thread close itself. I don't think this is a topic I am going to understand any time soon. HA.
Thanks to those who participated.
That all depends on the particulars of a given situation. where it's true that many who are "shacked up" do not have a marital commitment to one another before the Lord, and therefore are not married in the eyes of God. A piece of paper from City Hall doesn't make people married, and neither do ceremonies, so if we see ourselves as authorities to declare a couple to be living in sin because they don't have that piece of paper from City Hall, and did not have a preacher declare them "husband and wife" by way of some ceremony.
One should first speak with the couple, because I once knew an elder who attended a Southern Baptist church many years ago, and who did not have the state issued certificate for his marriage to his wife. I knew well their commitment to one another, and so had no fear of them being in that crowd of "shackers."
What happened is that some of the gossipers in his church found out he and his wife didn't have a state issued certificate for their marriage, even though they were under Common Law in that state. So, it was becoming a big deal to those people in his church. When he counseled with me about it, I recommended that he and his wife go ahead and get that piece of paper, show it to the gossipers in hic church, and they should be satisfied. They got the paper, showed it to the congregation, and everyone was on to the next person to gossip about and all was well with him and his wife. The only thing the gossipers didn't like was not getting an over-priced piece of cake and some free booze!
So, getting into the shoes of the one we think is sinning, we must always try to glean an understanding of all the underlying parameters behind the sin story...if there is ANY sin truly involved. If correction is in order, then that too must be carefully gauged to ensure we're traversing the right avenues PLUS seeking the Lord for His perfect wisdom. The unspiritual will always gravitate toward creating a huge ruckus to help them feel as though they are more important than they really are. Spiritual giants know how to NOT apply the full force of power behind one's pride and abilities to cause a stir.
I hope that helps.
MM
