...but hardly ever a sense of - oh by the way, your still going to struggle and fall and that's ok, your still saved, don't worry, just pick yourself back up and try again. -
I believe it is biblical to press people to holiness, and not give a free pass on sin, at least that is what I find in scripture. It has become to comfortable in that many church members do not grieve over sin. Instead of sin, it becomes, oops, I made a mistake but God forgives me. We shoudn't feel good about our sin. Don't you think that might be one of the reasons the church is so weak today? The light of the church is all but extinquished because of sin and compromise. People aren't becoming more wicked, people have always been as wicked as they would ever be, it is that the church is getting weaker and not having an impact anymore, darkness overtaking swallowing the light. We need holiness in the churches to impact the world. Now don't misunderstand, I'm not condemning those that fall into sin, but instead of saying that's okay, don't worry, maybe say it grieved God to do that, however there is forgiveness in confession 1 Jn. 1:9. Let them seek God's forgiveness and allow God to be the one who imputes the forgiveness because of a truly broken heart instead. We tend to "let people off the hook" to easily and that isn't scriptural. How do we know it is okay, maybe the person really isn't repentent. I know I have a hard time conveying my thoughts, but basically what I'm saying, is it is God who will say it is okay or not. It doesn't matter what any member says about my sin or forgiveness, I'm not going to be okay until God "lets me off the hook". Now we as a church, if the person has shown repentence on the issue, then encourage them on. We don't remove a part of the body because it got a scratch we take care of it until it is healed, and that is what we do with that member who sinned.
All I'm saying is that, sometimes I think that people should be less worried about everything being perfect
When God said "Be Holy as I am Holy", I believe He meant it, so yes we should be worried about perfection. If we keep saying a person can never be perfect, eventually they will quit trying. I press on, haven't reached it but I'm not going to give up defeated, I believe it is possible because all things are possible with God, it is too easy to just call it quits in striving against sin. Also, I believe there must be a fine balance in all the Christian life, there is joy there too, but our joy is only in relation to how close we are to God.
and more worried about forgiving each other and encouraging each other. We're all in the same boat.
I believe you are right about forgiving and encouraging each other, but in relation to our seeking to please God and glorifying Him. If you are speaking of forgiving and encouraging a repentent brother, then of course, we don't keep pounding on the person. An example if this is found in
2 Cor. 6-7 NASB 6 Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority,7 so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow such a one be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
Notice first though, the punishment inflicted by the majority, where the man was turned away from the church, but upon his repentence brought back in.
.....didn't get a deep sense of love and kindness and it was all kind of cold.
I have been in churches that have very little love in them, I never could understand that and it is sad. Right living does nothing but bring joy, a joy and love that can't be hidden, so since I can't see hearts, I really can't address the reason for that.
He want's us to know His peace and love. That's the Good News.
Yes it is, but we can't know that unless we draw close to Him, and we can't draw close to Him until there is confession and cleansing. Again, as in the beginning, I want God to assure the people that they are forgiven, I don't want to deceive someone into thinking they are okay when they aren't.
Hisalone
