Quoth Pilgrim:
So, if I understand what you are saying, you would advocate being "chummy" with, have close associations with, fraternize with, every non-professing Christian around you, even if they are gross idolaters, drug dealers, prostitutes, child molesters, etc.... do you see the problem here?
Chummy is a little nebulous. There is a significant difference between discussing a hockey game in the cafeteria, or treating someone with general human kindness and taking someone to your bosom as a brother. A mature believer shouldn't have concerns about "getting any on them" as if it was grease flying out of a bearing. It’s a heinous sin. If you are courteous and kind to the person who is practicing it I should think that your life in contrast to theirs would be a beneficial thing to them and perhaps even to you. To me there is nothing wrong with keeping open the lines of communication especially if that person WAS a church member at one point. Perhaps it is a more gentle approach than completely turning the person out and ignoring them. That said, I wouldn’t recommend cruising gay bars for converts or hanging out in beer joints witnessing to prostitutes. But those are places lost folks typically hang out—an entirely different proposition.
The voice of Pilgrim speaks:
The texts say we are to "admonish" those in the church as a brother; i.e., to speak to such a one with a genuine concern for their soul. YET..... Paul also says that of such we are to "turn away from them" and to "have no company with them". What do you think that means?
Aye lad, it’s a strange dichotomy, but there’s no sense in bending the words around. Admonish them, have no company with them. Some folks are easier to talk to than others and you know who they are. Use your brains, consult the Holy Spirit, don’t cross the street if you see them coming—consider it a divine appointment. “Hi how are things?” “Fine.” “So, how’s that adultery thing going?” You know, keep it simple.
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Seriously though, if they were truly your brother caught in sin and cast out from the congregation it may be just that little tap of grace you can show them that pushes them back into the fold.
Pilgrim said:
Also, I would appreciate it if you would address my previous question concerning excommunication.
I think I have. Yeah, they got the boot, but there’s still hope.
A final word from Pilgrim:
What I would like you to consider a little deeper is the seriousness of Paul's regulations for the treatment of those individuals he is warning about and how this relates to those who are outside the church.
Trust me I’ve considered it. I’ve considered it deeply AND long-ly. The hanging point is that if they’ve had anything on the ball at all while they were in church they should
know better therefore there
should be a stiffer penalty. See above regarding using your brains.
