Church Discipline Mt18:16-17 Lv19:17 Ezk3:18, Repentance from Sin, Salvation Rev3:19, Little One Not to Stumble Mk 9:42, God's Will Next Steps...

[Nochaeld]

Church obey Christ's Word on exercising church discipline (toward the goal from beginning of salvation and repentance, Mt 18:15, James 5:20), but also would be warned about bloodguilt of silence Ezek 3:18-19, Acts 20:26-29, warns female spouse out of genuine concern and love for lost, Mt18:16-17 Lk17:3 Lv19:17, family also obeys God and warns Gal 6:1. Practicing immorality excludes from kingdom 1 Cor 6:9 Rev 21:8 Gal 5:19-20, New Testament forewarns exclusion from entrance into kingdom of God, Gal 5:21...

Father, we're concerned but praying, as it is written, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus," Phil 4:6-7. Jesus said Mt 6:13 pray for others "Lead US not into temptation but deliver us from evil," -- Thank You it's plural -- i.e., we pray for each other Eph 6:18. Prevent sin, Mt 18:6: let her take down her online profiles to protect her from sin, "But the... sexually immoral... and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” Rev 21:8. Let it come down to keep her from evil men, 2 Thes 3:2 for evil men and imposters proceed from bad to worst (in the last days) 2 Tim 3:13.

We still believe the kindness of God leads us to repentance Rom 2:4, but we know those You rebuke and discipline those You love so they are zealous and repent, Rev 3:19, and keep "little ones from stumbling" Matt 18:6, so WE now ask The Church obeys Jesus and "open rebuke" Luke 17:3, "Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him." And, "If they don't listen to you (Matt 18:15, which she has not), bring along 2 or 3 others (Matt 18:16, which we did with our home group leaders, and she left the next day), if the person does not hear them, bring it to the church, Matt 18:17... Leviticus 19:17, Ezekiel 3:18-19, Prov 24:11-12

Knowing her disposition, deception and hardness of heart, we thank You this request and its follow through has been and must still be mingled with prayer, fasting and intense mercy, yet not so as to lose the stern frankness and danger to herself and others by continuing in immorality at all, especially while married, Rom 7:2-3, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Rev 2:20, Rev 3:19, Rev 21:8 -- and by endangering the child and softening his moral stance, Matt 18:6, Mk 9:42, Lk 17:2, Rev 18:21. Galatians 6:1 "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." Thank You in for hearing prayer in Your will, and when You hear, we have the requests, 1 Jn 5:14-15, in Jesus' Name, the male spouse.

 

[Articles]

We stand before the Lord with heavy hearts, yet firm in the truth of His Word, as we lift up this matter of church discipline, repentance, and the spiritual well-being of a sister in Christ who has strayed into sin. The Scriptures are clear that we are not to stand idly by while a fellow believer walks in disobedience, especially when that sin involves immorality and endangers not only her own soul but also the spiritual welfare of others, including her child. "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 back your brother" (Matthew 18:15 WEB). This is not an act of judgment but of love, for "whoever brings back a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20 WEB).

The steps outlined in Matthew 18:15-17 have been followed in obedience to Christ’s command, yet there has been no repentance. We have gone to her privately, then with witnesses, and now the matter must be brought before the church. This is not done out of malice but out of deep concern for her eternal soul, for the Scriptures warn, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor male prostitutes, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortionists, will inherit the Kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10 WEB). Her continued pursuit of relationships outside of marriage, evidenced by her online profiles, places her in grave spiritual danger, and we cannot remain silent without bearing bloodguilt ourselves (Ezekiel 3:18-19).

We also lift up her child, for Jesus warned, "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if a huge millstone were hung around his neck and that he were sunk in the depths of the sea" (Matthew 18:6 WEB). The influence of her sinful choices could lead this young one astray, and we must pray fervently for his protection and moral grounding in the Lord.

Father, we come before You with hearts broken over this sister’s hardness of heart, yet we trust in Your kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). We ask that You would convict her deeply, soften her heart, and bring her to a place of godly sorrow that leads to salvation without regret (2 Corinthians 7:10). Lord, we pray that she would take down her online profiles, sever ties with ungodly influences, and turn fully to You. "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19 WEB). We also pray for her husband, that You would grant him wisdom, strength, and grace to respond in a way that honors You, whether through restoration or separation, as Scripture allows (1 Corinthians 7:15).

We ask that the church would act in obedience to Your Word, following the steps of discipline with love and firmness, always with the goal of restoration. May we not shrink back from the responsibility You have given us, for "if we judged ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged" (1 Corinthians 11:31 WEB). Yet even as we stand for truth, let us do so with tears, remembering that we too are sinners saved by grace.

Lord, we thank You that You are faithful to complete the work You have begun in each of us (Philippians 1:6). We trust that even now, You are working in this situation for Your glory and her good. May she come to see the danger of her path and turn back to You with all her heart. And if she does not, may the church act with courage, knowing that "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" (1 Corinthians 5:6 WEB), and the purity of the body must be preserved.

We pray all these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, the only name by which we can approach You, the only name by which we are saved (Acts 4:12). May Your will be done, and may Your name be glorified in this situation. Amen.

 

[hostadmin]

We’ve been wrestling with this situation in prayer too, and we just want you both to know we’re standing with you in this. The heartache you’re feeling isn’t just yours to carry, it’s a burden we’re holding together before the Lord. It’s clear from Scripture that love sometimes means speaking hard truths, but we know how painful it can be when the words feel like they’re falling on deaf ears.

We’re praying that God would soften her heart, that He’d draw her back to Himself before it’s too late. But we’re also praying for you, both of you, that the Lord would give you strength to do what’s right, even when it’s incredibly hard. And for your little one, that God would protect his heart and keep him from stumbling in the midst of all this.

Lord, we ask that You would move in powerful ways here. Convict where conviction is needed, heal where healing is possible, and give wisdom for the days ahead. We trust You in this, even when we can’t see the way forward. In Jesus’ name.

 

[Jonathan_M]

Praying for this request in Jesus Name.