Which is worse?

[Baptist in Richmond]

Ronnie:

Let me start by saying that I am still married, and have never been divorced. That makes it easy for me to be an observer, but difficult to give you any first-hand advice. Personally, I don't think that divorce on the grounds of adultery is a sin.

If a Christian is divorced, and has remarried, then there is not really anything that can be done to change that. If we all agree that the Christian should not get another divorce, then the divorced Christian should remain in the current marriage. That being the case, the rules of marriage have to apply to the new marriage. Any advice that contradicts these rules found in the Bible is unscriptural. If you do not apply them, you have a very good chance of ending up divorced a second time.

If a Christian who has been forgiven of their sin is still forbidden to serve God in any capacity, all of the pastors, teachers, and deacons would have to step down from their positions. God can use anyone from any situation. The Bible teaches us that forgiven sin is just that: forgiven. God is not in the guilt business.

Please PM me if you have any further comments.

 

[AdoptedDaughter]

Originally posted by RomOne16:
Be very careful Bro. Ronnie, in putting your personal situation up for debate here.

There are those who, armed with their interpretation of the scriptures, will ride rough shod all over your situation without apology.

I speak from experience.

Laura

P.S. I understand where you're coming from though and I fully agree with the points you make.

And there are some that blow it out of porportion.

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

You mean like denying church membership to a Christian who has asked and received forgiveness for a sin?

 

[hsmom3]

Originally posted by Baptist in Richmond:
Ronnie:

Let me start by saying that I am still married, and have never been divorced. That makes it easy for me to be an observer, but difficult to give you any first-hand advice. Personally, I don't think that divorce on the grounds of adultery is a sin.

If a Christian is divorced, and has remarried, then there is not really anything that can be done to change that. If we all agree that the Christian should not get another divorce, then the divorced Christian should remain in the current marriage. That being the case, the rules of marriage have to apply to the new marriage. Any advice that contradicts these rules found in the Bible is unscriptural. If you do not apply them, you have a very good chance of ending up divorced a second time.

If a Christian who has been forgiven of their sin is still forbidden to serve God in any capacity, all of the pastors, teachers, and deacons would have to step down from their positions. God can use anyone from any situation. The Bible teaches us that forgiven sin is just that: forgiven. God is not in the guilt business.

Please PM me if you have any further comments.

Excellent post.

hsmom3

 

[hsmom3]

Originally posted by Major B:
[QB] Actually, we have been considering requiring all divorced and remarried Christians to have a big red "D" branded on their forehead, we will call it "The Mark of the Least (in the Kingdom)." They can come to church, but they must sit on the front rows (the back rows are taken by the real Baptists, who sit back there in case something happens like the Holy Spirit falling, so they can get out before they get hit by Him). These "D" marked people must keep their heads down and moan, "Unclean, unclean, unclean," and must testify to the congregation at least once a month and express their mournfulness over their horrible sin..."

I love it!!

And for the remarried, they shall have a big R and a corresponding number behind it for the number of marriages.

hsmom3

 

[hsmom3]

Originally posted by RTB:
A quick question for the learned out there. My first wife left me for another man, we divorced, I remarried and now have a family. The Lord has led me to a wonderful church, he has blessed me many times over. I can see and feel the Holy Spirit working in my life on so many positive ways. I love the Lord and I will proclaim that without reservation and very loud if need be. My question for the learned, If my divorce (even if for adultry) and remarraige is living in sin, then why is God seeing fit to use an unrepentant sinner (according to some, that is what I am) to work for Him and filling my life with the Holy Spirit to the point that I was able to quit nicotene, foul language, I now attend church regularly and with enthusiasm, I teach a young adult Sunday school class, and I can't wait to read the Bible to see what message God has in store for me today. Why would God see fit to continually bless me in these ways and so much more? Why would he use me to be the Witness for him that I am? We are to be vocal and visual witnesses for Him. Vocal in calling people to know Him and visual in the life that we live. According to some, my visual witness, due to my divorce, is rendered null and void because I am now living in sin and therefor 50% of "witness ability" is gone. Should I therefor, compound the error by divorcing the wife I am now married to, have partial custody of my son, leaving him without a full time, Godly father, Or should I continue in the life I now live with what I believe to be the full support and blessing of my Savior? Think about what y'all are saying and the realize that God is the one in the salvation business, not you and I. Don't judge me by past mistakes, just love me for where God has put me today.

In Christ

Ronnie

Ronnie, it just goes to show you that God is the judge and not people. He knows your circumstances and praise Him, He can use all of us!!!

hsmom3

 

[AdoptedDaughter]

Originally posted by Baptist in Richmond:
You mean like denying church membership to a Christian who has asked and received forgiveness for a sin?

That was never said.

 

[hsmom3]

Originally posted by Dr. Bob Griffin:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by LauraB:
I believe that he shouldn't have women "buddies". I feel that [e mail from woman friend telling of sexual problems] is adultery. I believe kissing lips, cheek other than family, is adultery.

Laura, I need to make a point. No matter what YOU believe adultery is or how YOU define adultery, I would simply respond: SO WHAT?

Your definition means nothing and doesn't enter into the equation. You cannot redefine an historic term with dictionary definition to your own liking . . then claim someone is "commiting adultery".

One of the distinguishing marks of post-modern culture is to make new definitions for terms. I would encourage you (and I'm picking at you right now, but we're all guilty of this too) to debate the ISSUE, not your own DEFINITION. </font>[/QUOTE]Bro. Bob, I understand what you are saying about redefining things in our culture, but I was wondering if you thought the Lord only considers intercourse as adultery? What about what President Clinton did?

Thank you!

hsmom3

 

[Bro. James Reed]

You failed to produce one single verse to support your specific claim that remarried Christians must remain celibate.

Show me where I ever said this.

My first wife left me for another man, we divorced, I remarried

As the scriptures say, you had a valid reason to get divorced and remarried. I have no problem with your situation. For some reason, people have the impression that I am against ALL divorce and remarriage. I am not. Only that which is said, by scripture, to be adultery.

You're right, this is my personal conviction. It is because that is what scripture tells me is correct.

The Bible says that there IS grounds for divorce and remarriage, but it is not all inclusive.

Bro. Ronnie, you sound as if you had a scriptural reason for your divorce, so I see no problem with it. I just hope that everyone doesn't have the wrong impression about me. I believe that the Bible does allow for divorce and remarriage, but not in all cases.

Does that clear up some misunderstandings?

God Bless. Bro. James

 

[RTB]

Originally posted by RomOne16:
[QB] Be very careful Bro. Ronnie, in putting your personal situation up for debate here.

There are those who, armed with their interpretation of the scriptures, will ride rough shod all over your situation without apology.

I speak from experience.

Laura


Sister Laura,
I appreciate your concern, but my putting my personal life up for debate is something we all do every day of our lives. IF we couldn't put our past in front of us for everybody to see where we WERE and then see the difference in where we are NOW, then of what use is our testimony of rebirth as well as reconciliation? If there are those out there who wish to ride roughshod over me with scriptural interpretations
then that is their choice, I live for my Saviors approval, not any man or womans, if nothing else, then my personal life is there to show that Our Lord's grace is not limited by interpretations.

In Christ

Ronnie

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

AdoptedDaughter writes:

&gt;&gt;That was never said.

Oh, really?
Check your response in the thread "Is Divorce a Sin?" that you submitted May 29, 2003 03:45 PM.

This is your response to another Christian asking you if you would vote to allow her into your church.

 

[AdoptedDaughter]

Originally posted by Baptist in Richmond:
AdoptedDaughter writes:

&gt;&gt;That was never said.

Oh, really?
Check your response in the thread "Is Divorce a Sin?" that you submitted May 29, 2003 03:45 PM.

This is your response to another Christian asking you if you would vote to allow her into your church.

Seems like you like to jump to conclusions. She asked if I would vote to allow her into my church, and I said that I wouldn't (vote that is), I never said that I wouldn't allow her into the church.

What is it? Someone disagrees with another, so they will do whatever it takes to make them appear to be a lesser person?

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

AdoptedDaughter writes:
&gt;&gt;What is it? Someone disagrees with another, so
&gt;&gt;they will do whatever it takes to make them
&gt;&gt;appear to be a lesser person?

I have never said this, typed this, or implied this, and you know it.

 

[AdoptedDaughter]

Originally posted by Baptist in Richmond:
AdoptedDaughter writes:
&gt;&gt;What is it? Someone disagrees with another, so
&gt;&gt;they will do whatever it takes to make them
&gt;&gt;appear to be a lesser person?

I have never said this, typed this, or implied this, and you know it.

And I never said it was you.

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

If you weren't referring to me, then why did you quote me?

 

[Dr. Bob]

Originally posted by Laura
Bro. Bob, I understand what you are saying about redefining things in our culture, but I was wondering if you thought the Lord only considers intercourse as adultery? What about what President Clinton did?

Excellent question and needs clarification:

Adultery = sexual intercourse between a married person and someone not his/her spouse. That's ALL it means. Moicheia in Greek.

Fornication = any unlawful sexual intercourse (including adultery since it is unlawful sexual intercourse) or other sexual contact. Pornea in Greek.

So was Clinton unfaithful to Hillary? Yes
Did he have sexual contact with another? Yes
Fornication (pornea)? Yes
Adultery? Unknown. I'm assuming yes, but I wasn't there.
Did he lie when he said he did not "have sexual relations" with that woman? Absolutely.

 

[AdoptedDaughter]

Originally posted by Baptist in Richmond:
If you weren't referring to me, then why did you quote me?

It's called setting the record straight...

*Note to all*

Sorry for the intrusion on this thread... I'm sure that there a quite a few here who would rather not have me post any more on this thread/ in this forum, therefore, I will refrain from posting my opinions (I hope that you each study your Bible carefully on these subjects) and stay out of this forum...

Sorry for the intrusion and sorry for stating my opinion, it clearly was not welcome.

 

[TaterTot]

Now, now, Adopted Daughter, a debate is a debate. You started a thread that was greatly debated about divorce being a sin, and that one sparked this one, another debate. If we all agreed, it wouldnt be in the debate forum.
I also took your statement from the other thread to mean that you would not vote that person into the church instead of you meaning you would abstain from voting. That would make this whole can of worms different.
Can you feel the love?!?!?!?!

TaterTot

 

[AdoptedDaughter]

Even if that is what I meant, I have every right to vote that way. Just because someone doesn't like what I say, doesn't mean that they need to make me out to be some kind of person who thinks of themselves as holier than thou...

Words are powerful things, and when not used kindly makes for a very unfriendly place....

*Sorry, am leaving now...better hurry too, before someone says that I'm self-righteous*

 

[LauraB]

Baptist In Richmond,

He didn't put an abrupt end to it but I certainly did! He never got the e-mail but the girl got an earful from me, and all of a sudden she told him she couldn't write him anymore!

But she called him and let him know of this.... HMMM