tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13422678.post9165112343585653307..comments2007-03-14T21:27:54.148-04:00Nathan Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146269563760139652noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13422678.post-30245591616989994042007-03-14T21:27:00.000-04:002007-03-14T21:27:00.000-04:00JM,<BR/><BR/>I don't see anything in scripture where a church can tell someone you can't leave. But, obviously, if there is sin involved, and say someone is somewhere in the process of being under church discipline, then that certainly changes things. Either that or there is a breach of agreement in the terms of membership, if applicable. <BR/><BR/>Specifically, why do you ask? Something going on where you're at?Nathan Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146269563760139652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13422678.post-9373254481651324212007-03-14T21:09:00.000-04:002007-03-14T21:09:00.000-04:00Nathan,<BR/><BR/>I have a question for you. Once you tell the church leadership you are leaving how long, in your estimation, should they tell you that you can't leave?<BR/><BR/>MarkjohnMarkwww.hereiblog.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13422678.post-66644718296019492612007-03-13T13:10:00.000-04:002007-03-13T13:10:00.000-04:00Great Post!<BR/><BR/>This is the first time I've heard this issue explained this way. It is so true. I think all of us Christians struggle with this breed of pharisaicalism. This is the attitude that says, "I'm of Paul, or I'm of Apollos..." And Paul called this attitude carnality. <BR/><BR/>I think the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25 is very noteworthy in relation to this subject:<BR/><BR/>'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers,you did it to me.' <BR/><BR/>It teaches us that Christ deems our treatment to other brethren equal to our treatment of Him. In other words, when I serve a brother, I'm literally serving Christ. When I shun a brother, I'm literally shunning Christ. When I separate myself from a brother, I separate myself from Christ. etc. <BR/><BR/>Thanks for the post.davidenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13422678.post-12866991888982518532007-03-13T07:11:00.000-04:002007-03-13T07:11:00.000-04:00Ok brother,<BR/><BR/>I'm reaching out to you:) This definitely strikes a blow to the modern definition of "love" and calls us back to genuine bibilical love, especially in the church. Jesus said that the world will know His disciples by their love for one another. Truly we need repentance in this area and I pray God would grant it to us.Timhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07501824179760999458noreply@blogger.com