How should you respond to a Christian friend who's in a homosexual relationship?

John Piper recommends "holy ostracism" as a way to restore compromising Christians.

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[underoath4794]

Why are so many Christians in disagreement with this video? The bible clearly says exactly what John Piper is saying in 1 Corinthians 5

[chicraig6421]

You may not say 'God hates fags' as Fred Phelps a Southern Baptist does,but the effect is the same

[cmdesign01]

JP is right on target on this one. there is no arguing with his explanation.

[theexplorerjazzy]

@underoath4794, whether U agree or not isn't important, but what u DO abt it IS! When churches use "Holy Ostricism" as scare tactic, "love in action" just becomes intimidation&threat. PEOPLE no longer matter any more, it's ALL ABOUT what they do. Such churches r fully of hypocrites&pharisees-many consider themselves r saved, so they cast stone on others. If comitted&loving gay relationship is wrong, Y Jesus never condemned it?! Things Jesus condemned however, r taken lightly 2day!

[underoath4794]

@theexplorerjazzy I totally agree that loving homosexuals is necessary as Christians, but for those homosexuals that claim Christianity, the most loving thing you can do is cut ties with them if they refuse to repent because it is a sin and if they don't have a heart that seeks repentance which is the essence of Christianity, then something is wrong. It would be the same with any other sin

[chicraig6421]

@falkenjeff You ask 'R U really sure you're saved?" I don't know that any of us really know if we are really saved. I can only relate my experiences as a human with all my faults (I do not include homosexuality as a fault), repent and pray to Christ. In the end only God can judge. If I live as close to a Christian life as Jesus taught us as I can, in the end I will be judged.

Thanks for you comments and thoughts

[theexplorerjazzy]

@underoath4794, I said "it's out of the context" is because it's expressed in a "militant and disciplinary (not by God, but by mere man) spirit", not genuinely "loving&humble" spirit. The fact Mister John Piper said "the SHORT answer is they SHOULD do what I call Holy Ostracism". There shouldn't be a short answer! One must examine the whole situation carefully-if the gay Christian never felt being loved by that church therefore left, then that church is partically liable as well!

[theexplorerjazzy]

@underoath4794, I appreciate your comment. However, ever so often "love" becomes a empty slogan seldomly practiced by some Christians, especially towards gay people, who were and still are percecuted and ostracised by the society. It seems the ONLY loving thing Christians can offer is "calling them out", if they don't "co-operate" then it's the end of a friendship. Where is the genuine concern for those people's wellfare, when they felt being left out on a limb and lonely?!

[underoath4794]

@theexplorerjazzy It's not out of context..notice that the verse says "I wrote to you not to accociate with sexually immoral people-not at all meaning the sexually immoral OF THIS WORLD (non christians). Paul says that we need to associate with those people, but the ones that call themselves Christians are still do those things is a different story. We must lovingly call them out and if they refuse to repent, then non association comes into play.

[theexplorerjazzy]

@underoath4794, an interesting qoute from the Bible, yet out of context again. I say this because Jesus ate with sexually imoral people, tax collectors and sinners, and all Christians are called to be imitatiors of Christ. The Bible is the word of God, yet many books (Paul's letters) were written directly to certain people, at certain historical times, and then came to us. It's always important to remember this before attempting to interpret it rigidly.

[underoath4794]

@chicraig6421 "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one." -from the bible...

[falkenjeff]

@chicraig6421 Jesus saved me with their "optional Sunday morning worship service", then slowly unblinded me and pulled me out =\. Are you really sure you're saved? All those cults and people who say they are Christians (but are not) think they are saved too, but don't realize how much danger they were in until God opens their eyes.