Good reference and I won't bug you too much more on this but you already committed to respecting me with answers. Love you brother and all you have done and continue to do to make this forum possible. What family doesn't have their spats. Even through these we can learn more and consider WWJD.Robert wrote:Narrow is the road ...Sudsy wrote:So, if I believe I am showing respect to someone by answering their questions but they, in return, do not act accordingly and may go further in ways of showing disrespect for me, how am I as a Christian to react ?
Here is where, imo, turning the other cheek, comes into play. And if the other person is treating me as an enemy or if I perceive they are treating me as an enemy by their action or lack of action, then according to Jesus I must not only bear that response but try to make loving moves toward them which may include accepting them as they are.
What am I missing with this approach ? (which I believe I'm still learning to do).
There does come a time when we do have to pull away and not be a doormat. Matthew 18 should be a good guide. I would not say it should be the law, but a guide.
I do agree there is a time to stop turning the other cheek or going down the same destructive path.
So, would you say that Mathew 18:15-17 indicates that when a group agrees that a person is sinning against another Christian in the group and refuses to repent (change their ways) after all in the group know about their sinning, that the group should quit attempting fellowship with that person and yet still treat them as brothers or sisters in the Lord and do good to them outside of spiritual conversation (in the environment of a forum) ?
And if some in the group do not take this route, those who view this as unrepentant sinning, should themselves drop further spiritual conversations and not seek further reconciliation until repentance is made. If and when repentance is made then we are to forgive each and every time it occurs (70 X 7) ?
Seeking to apply the practical application of what Jesus is saying in Mathew 18:15-17 if we can regard this as applicable to a forum as it is a local church -
Now if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, then take with you one or two others, that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.