RE: [Bulk] Re: [TruthTalk] NIV Bible Quiz

[ShieldsFamily]

JD, we have a very talented man in our congregation who struggles with alcoholism.  He is welcomed to fellowship and attends while he is getting treatment, and has a close relationship with many in leadership, but he is not allowed to act as a leader in the church.  He understands and accepts this willingly.  Hopefully he will overcome and one day return to a leadership position.  OTOH, if he rejected getting treatment I do not think he would be so welcomed into fellowship, as he would be willfully rebelling against doing all that he can to repent. He would be counseled as long as he would receive it, but if he stopped receiving it he would be rebuked privately I think.  No one looks down on the man’s struggles, but he is expected to work at changing.  I don’t know the particulars, or how it will be determined when he is ready to return to leadership, but I do know the pastors hold him accountable in love. I look forward to his complete deliverance through Jesus. Izzy   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, June 01, 2005 4:46 PM To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org Subject: Re: [Bulk] Re: [TruthTalk] NIV Bible Quiz       Back to an issue of substance.     Law and faith   It is amazing to me that those who are clearly legalists in the crowd argue for the banishment of an individual based upon only one consideration of sin.  What I mean is this  --   if you have one who is addicted to heroin and (of course) continues to "use,'  he is withdrawn from despite the possibility other areas of his life, spiritually, are improving.   Part of the curse of the law is that one who violates a speeding law is just as guilty as one who murders a child.    Guilt is guilt.     Under grace through faith, a heroin addict can be given hope because his life is not judged by that single issue.   And I am talking about a "judgment" that is , in reality, the reasonable conclusion of his conduct.   If he manages his addiction (and in the beginning of a recovery process, this may be all that he can do with addiction) and gives equal attention to filling himself up with God in the Word, with the Relationship, in continued fellowship  (someone has to stop telling to leave) prayer and communion,   he can be saved from the ravages of his continuing sin.   Personal destruction does not need to be the final consequence.   Praise the Lord.   JD