Faith Well Grounded

You have made some very interesting points.

Attacking another is not a righteous way of dealing with the sins of others.

We are however, commanded to judge the members of the church and to remove from the body those who do not walk as they professed they would when they joined. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Paul made a good observation concerning a similar situation, "And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you." Instead of being sadden that the one who had committed the sin might be removed from the church, some were puffed up. They were elevated in tone, probably similar to what you have described as attacking. This also could suggest that they were elevated in character, suggesting that they had no compassion in persecuting this person, considering that they could have easily have fallen prey to sin themselves.

But what should a Christian be? At my church this term is not often used because is it abused and hold no true meaning in this present day. If a person is a Christian he is "Christ Like", and today everyone considers themselves to be just that, "Christ Like" despite the many sins they willingly commit outside of the church. Everyone wants to be the righteous one and not the sinner. The use of this word often goes to their head and they forget that they are truly sinners first and foremost. If they would accept the title of sinner as readily as they do the other they would be much better off. It is the sinner who is the true disciple of Christ. It is the sinner who is in need of a savior just as the sick need a doctor.

But are you sure the body is attacking itself? Are you sure there is not a foreign body in the midst? The church who has opened its doors to every person is no different than a body that has its vital organs exposed. With doors wide open it has subjected itself to infections that could be fatal.

If the church truly understood the gospel it would realize that the gospel discriminates. And the true gospel church should likewise discriminate and shield itself from the infections that abound in this world.

Grace to you my brother in Christ,

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