No Romans is a contrast. Also you are incorrect about the ICOR. passage and the table. The context of the passage is not speaking simply about if a person has some sin in their life. It is speaking about the motive of taking the table. They were dishonoring the table by how they took of it. Look at the context. They were being greedy and using what some would call a love feast for the table and gobbling up the food before the poor could eat. They were taking the table in an unworthy manner and because of that God was striking some sick and even dead. This is not about practicing sin because we know those who do that are lost.
The Hebrews passage is not talking about someone who practices sin. It is not even talking about punishment in the strictest sense. It is talking about being trained and all that is involved. If someone practices sin they are lost. That includes someone who claims to be a new believer.
Just believe what it written and stop trying to make up exceptions;
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit (practice) sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot (practice) sin, because he is born of God
I am not making exceptions someone who is "practicing sin" and a sinning Christian are
ususally two different things. If a Christian rebels (this usually takes the form of ignoring the warnings) then the Lord can and will take them home.
That does not mean that every Christian that has an untimley or difficult death is being chastised.
Unless a person is sinless in their walk before Christ they need to pay attention to what the Lord is saying through His word.
Christians are capable of terrible sins against God and their brethren.
Take these Christians as those who were "committing" sin:
Revelation 2
19 I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
23 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Also in Corinth
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
1 Corinthians 11
20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
Coming to fellowship drunk is not a sin?
Also, no matter what the offense is, it means having done so, coming to the Lord's Table unworthily ends in chastisement and rebuke. Call it what you will, it is a sin.
It works the other way also, if a person uses/flaunts a liberty (something not sinful in of itself) and troubles a young Christian (or are too harsh) that person not only sins against his brother but sins against Christ
1 Corinthians 8
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
I understand your concern.
Personally, I am aware that you have a sincere zeal for your Lord..
But...
Those in the church who lead and counsel will answer for their counsel.
And I certainly understand that this includes me.
So FAL, If its immediately evident, I don't try to figure out the specific standing of a "christian" and try to disect/discern between "continously sinning" or occasional sins of those who come with a problem. The tares can be mistaken for the wheat and vice versa. All sin is displeasing to God.
There are so many sins of the flesh that modern Christians dismiss as minor it is no wonder that more don't "sleep".
It is not ours to throw them into the lake of fire but be the agent by which the Lord rescues them from the lake of fire or impending chastisement.
so here FWIW is my advice to any who want to listen:
Certain qualities are required ;
2 Timothy 2
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
HankD