"My statement is not referring to anyone in particular, but rather it speaks of a recognized validation of those they communed with over the dinner table. I see Paul as having made his demands about not eating with any immoral "so called brother" so that his fleshly teachings would not be given the recognition. On the other hand, he did not suggest they not eat with believers who were not going out of their way to spread their contaminated teachings. See, it's a matter of life. Those who think they have their act together, and yet are showing themselves as fleshly, are the ones Paul warns against. On the other hand, there are many who desire fellowship because they so much want to experience the freedom they see in other believers. Such folks are never to be turned away from our tables of fellowship. For even when they speak, it does not come from a desire to sway others to their teaching but will end up testifying of the freedom they so desperately desire or are coming to realize."-Jim
I guess many of my own situations have been with those that aren't so obvious either way. They are neither hot nor cold when it comes to "claims" but , rather just kind of "there". I have many acquaintances and a few friends and relationships with people were I was forced to see them allot of the time.[lived with them too] Some had really shown that they were claiming to believe in "God" but, they just always fell back on self validation, comparing, judging, justifying and long periods of hypocrisy. Then they would go right back to believing "in God". They always seem to be curious about the things I speak of but, they respond usually with something either off topic or if on topic, just kind of blurry and tied into fleshly concepts and wording. Other times they seem to understand but, then the next moment you can tell by there behaviors they just don't? There has always been this not so subtle connotation of Christs unimportance I guess, without out right saying it. The moment you confront any of it gently or with a question, you get world war three. It is as if you get beat over the head for sensing the discrepancy? Has always left me saying huh? I have often wondered how to "deal" or "eat" with those people. It has caused me lot's of pains over the years for many of those were the very people I trusted and were deeply hurt by.
Re: 1 Corinthians: Immorality and Behavior
I enjoyed this:
"My statement is not referring to anyone in particular, but rather it speaks of a recognized validation of those they communed with over the dinner table. I see Paul as having made his demands about not eating with any immoral "so called brother" so that his fleshly teachings would not be given the recognition. On the other hand, he did not suggest they not eat with believers who were not going out of their way to spread their contaminated teachings. See, it's a matter of life. Those who think they have their act together, and yet are showing themselves as fleshly, are the ones Paul warns against. On the other hand, there are many who desire fellowship because they so much want to experience the freedom they see in other believers. Such folks are never to be turned away from our tables of fellowship. For even when they speak, it does not come from a desire to sway others to their teaching but will end up testifying of the freedom they so desperately desire or are coming to realize."-Jim
I guess many of my own situations have been with those that aren't so obvious either way. They are neither hot nor cold when it comes to "claims" but , rather just kind of "there". I have many acquaintances and a few friends and relationships with people were I was forced to see them allot of the time.[lived with them too] Some had really shown that they were claiming to believe in "God" but, they just always fell back on self validation, comparing, judging, justifying and long periods of hypocrisy. Then they would go right back to believing "in God". They always seem to be curious about the things I speak of but, they respond usually with something either off topic or if on topic, just kind of blurry and tied into fleshly concepts and wording. Other times they seem to understand but, then the next moment you can tell by there behaviors they just don't? There has always been this not so subtle connotation of Christs unimportance I guess, without out right saying it. The moment you confront any of it gently or with a question, you get world war three. It is as if you get beat over the head for sensing the discrepancy? Has always left me saying huh? I have often wondered how to "deal" or "eat" with those people. It has caused me lot's of pains over the years for many of those were the very people I trusted and were deeply hurt by.