Do You Believe and/or Teach that Standards are Heaven-Hell Issues?

[OGIA]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

I think that I coming from the perspective of how we handle the body.

Many times I hear it preached that we are quick to put our foot in the neck of our brother when he is down. In other words, a young man who was raised in the church and got out when he came of age was telling me that when you come back you are judged and perceived to be the person you always were before repentance. Your past taints your future. It is a hard thing to get up and keep on walking with this attitude surrounding you.

Now, I have watched this and found it to be true in many instances. So, I wonder, when we preach mercy, grace and forgiveness, why do we withhold that from our own brethren?

This gives us the reputation of "kick them when they are down" and then lends the credence that we are more of "judgment" than we are of "mercy".

I believe this is where I am going with this. I appreciate your patience with me as I express my thoughts and bounce them off of you.

I do understand better what you're talking about now, but looked back at the "greasy grace" question and wonder how this applies?

But, on the above..........

I am guilty of what you say regarding not forgetting about a person's past. I fight it constantly when thinking about certain people in our congregation. The sad thing, but the thing that slaps me upside the head, is that I was "one of those". I even stood up in front of our church not long after returning from my 20 year backslide and said that some of them wouldn't like me if I told them some of the things I had done. I truly meant it then, but realize how true it is today. We all are afflicted with it......even the most tenured saint and pastor. Some just get over it quicker and easier, I guess. I sure do pray that I can someday!!