tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777773975428010636.post3748040413722123767..comments2008-06-13T22:53:57.445-04:00Eric Carterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17559297084562073727noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777773975428010636.post-13892082304020628822008-06-13T22:53:00.000-04:002008-06-13T22:53:00.000-04:00I think it needs to be addressed by church leadership in a direct, loving, prayerful, and Biblical manner. There needs to exist a sense of urgency when it comes to addressing sin among brothers and sisters in Christ not only for the sake of the church but for the sake of those so woefully astray from the narrow path. As we discussed, one of the most notable failures of the Christian church in today's society has been the decline of, if not the pure absence of church discipline and accountability.<BR/><BR/>As with any sin, the past is past, and there's nothing we can do to change the past; but, we can make today a new day in starting (or renewing) a life with Christ. As a church body we have an obligation to consider and to live and to share 1 Thess 4:1-8:<BR/><BR/>1Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. 2For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, 5not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; 6and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 7For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 8Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1 Thess 4:1-8 NIVBill O'Neillnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777773975428010636.post-64874129208524961582008-06-11T10:47:00.000-04:002008-06-11T10:47:00.000-04:00Yikes! So, say we have a couple coming to our church that is living together, unmarried. <BR/>What do we do?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1777773975428010636.post-29307635948804178862008-06-02T12:08:00.000-04:002008-06-02T12:08:00.000-04:00I got much from this, including the importance of clearing the plank from my eye (Mat 7:3) before delving into assisting a brother or sister. Whenever I have sought prayer for self, not only is it a freeing experience at the time, but the blessings that follow are immense. Besides, we are giving the body the opportunity to firm up the body, one sinner at a time while glorifying God in the process!billohnonoreply@blogger.com