What sinners are REALLY welcome in your church? In your life

[OneLight]

Just as the instructions from the Holy Spirit can come by such a slight word or movement, rebukes can also come by means of a soft, loving word. When most think of rebuking, they think of confrontation, but this is not always the case. Most times when I realize that I have rebuked someone,such a rebuke has been through loving advice, spoken softly with much care. What are our words to others if not seeds? These seeds which we plant and water only grow by the love of God in one's heart, changing them from the inside. It is not us who does the changing, but His Spirit which convicts the world of sin, both the righteous and the unrighteous.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath,But a harsh word stirs up anger.

[~candice~]

Rebuke? Who that LOVES Christ would not dress their best when in His presence?? And to have Him in their PRESENCE (even all of 'spiritual 'Israel, read Josh. 7:12's last part of the verse) requires [OBEDIENCE!]

So: If one believes Christ who never changes, then the Rev. 17:1-5 [REBUKE] did NO GOOD FOR THESE ONES!

---Elijah

We are always in His presence and thus should always be dressed our best!

Mat 27:51 And, behold! The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And the earth quaked, and the rocks were sheared,

Mat 27:52 and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep arose,

Mat 27:53 and coming out of the tomb after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Mat 27:54 But the centurion and those guarding Jesus, seeing the earthquake, and the things that took place, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this One was Son of God.

The presence of God is not limited to within the church building on a sunday morn', the veil of the temple has been torn .

This is more than mere clothing though .

Can you explain this though?

Jos 7:12 And the sons of Israel could not stand before their enemies. They will turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become cursed. I will not be with you again, unless you destroy the one who is cursed from among you.

How did you get spiritual Israel out of that?

[Fraught]

I do not rebuke unless I have been where the person is, having first hand experience. So I can honestly say: "when I used to . . . or:

now that i don't . . . and state how my life is different. anything other than that, i'm too afraid i've got a 'beam in my eye' , lol !

[oak]

I feel as a Christian that I have a mountain of issues to work on first. That is, I feel, Christian

[luke22ministries]

Great insight. I think we all have a mountain of issues to work on first. However, often it does not stop us from speaking into others lives about the issues they have. Have you ever been hurt by a rebuke that you believed didnt take into account the things going on in your life?

[oak]

Great insight. I think we all have a mountain of issues to work on first. However, often it does not stop us from speaking into others lives about the issues they have. Have you ever been hurt by a rebuke that you believed didnt take into account the things going on in your life?

I would rather answer if a felt a rebuke is unfair since its rare for a rebuke to challenge my whole Christian being. Therefore, my answer is yes. And it is often not the rebuke itself but the manner in which it was said. For example I was waiting for a priest who gave me a designated time after his service, when the set time approached a women accosted the priest and started eating up my time. As I was 15 ft off waiting my turn - I though maybe the woman was having grave problems and waited for 20 minutes (maybe the priest will re-schedule). Long story short, when I came up and asked how much time I had. I was angirly dissmissed and told to sit in the lobby; the women later came out to me and said she wanted to put a button on the priest's vesture. I thought that smacked of the Pharisees, but had my first and last talk with this priest. An Abotess visited her sister and during a private talk and then one with more people, she for the most part silent but radiating care. She just (I was there to seek God) said, after one of my monologues, "you think too much." This was said with concern and I know with great contemplation. It created calm in me because she came forth in a way that I knew was meant to help me. This is the key the Abotess did for the Glory of God vs glory for men.

Oak

PS Your Christian nature should stop some from rebuking when it is not in alignment with God as far as rebuking is concerned.

[Isaiah 6:8]

My tendency is two fold, I try to do the one one one chat where I encourage the person gentler to the truth, and I explain why what the have done is not frome the lord etc so it is a teaching moment not just a break down of the person . I however am less succesful at this on the boards and have lost my cool a ime or two out of hurt and anger and had to repent of the way I attempted to bring to correction

[Fraught]

i feel i should add this - i think it is relevant. as i stated, i'm not really a rebuker. sometimes i'm more of an exhorter. but my main calling seems to be as an 'uncoverer'. yep, it sounds strange. when i hear something that i think might be a lie, for example, or gossip, or maybe a put-down of another sister or brother, i request clarification so it goes something like this: did you say . . .blah, blah, blah . . . . .? Oh, okay. i make sure the other person gets it out in the open who they are without any sort of recriminations or judgment on my part. to me, it's enough that now we both know who they really are.

[luke22ministries]

Thats a really good point and it brings about a good question. When does "a duty to uncover" turn into "a licence to judge"? Again, I am not saying that it is being done in this room by any Christian. Many of you seem like mature, scripture reading christians, who understand the line.

[Isaiah 6:8]

Thats a really good point and it brings about a good question. When does "a duty to uncover" turn into "a licence to judge"? Again, I am not saying that it is being done in this room by any Christian. Many of you seem like mature, scripture reading christians, who understand the line.

Nahhh I just pretend real well...

Sorry could not stay too serious not trying to derail the thread!

Serious reply is simply this when the " uncovering, rebuke,extortion etc.. Ceases to be lined up with the two great commandments "love God Love your neighbor as yourself" the.that is when you cross the line. ito check f you have crossed it read 1 Cor. 13 and your realize you have not kind of love then you will seethe truth as in a mirror!