Open Sin and Closed sin

[Woody]

Which is worse -

Do you feel it is more Holy to hide your sin or to be open about it?

I should caution you - that if you allow it to be open ... that the church will then attack you.

But if you hide it - then the church will reward you.

Now - Which do you want? Which do you think is best?

[phkrause]

Which is worse -

Do you feel it is more Holy to hide your sin or to be open about it?

I should caution you - that if you allow it to be open ... that the church will then attack you.

But if you hide it - then the church will reward you.

Now - Which do you want? Which do you think is best?

How may I ask is any sin a hidden sin? Who are you hidding it from? Not God!! He is the one who eventually determines your fate! No? Neither is best and neither do I want. Besides many times other church members might consider something you are doing as a sin, but yet God just might not see it that way! Again he is the ultimate judge not the church members.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: Woody

Which is worse -

Do you feel it is more Holy to hide your sin or to be open about it?

I should caution you - that if you allow it to be open ... that the church will then attack you.

But if you hide it - then the church will reward you.

Now - Which do you want? Which do you think is best?

How may I ask is any sin a hidden sin? Who are you hidding it from? Not God!! He is the one who eventually determines your fate! No? Neither is best and neither do I want. Besides many times other church members might consider something you are doing as a sin, but yet God just might not see it that way! Again he is the ultimate judge not the church members.

Good One there pk. Spot on.

[Parade Orange]

God calls us into relationship with HIM! an honest relationship with HIM

and aslo calls us into fellowship with one another!

A fellowship that would be so close it would be like a toe broken off if a member leaves . A heart ripped out! an eyeball missing?

Paul describes us a BODY of Christ!

We are connected together cause we all have Christ as our Saviour and LORD!

Christ is the HEAD!

In true fellowship where JESUS loves there is

Love .. Seeing ourselves as ragged sinners being LOVED and Acceppted by GOD

Commonality .. Seeing others as Loved an Acceppted by Christ as well!

Acceptance .. of the good in each other and the defects that need healing

Trust .. that is built up with constant interaction and understanding based on Grace

SAFETY .. we can be ourselves without worrying of condemnation and judgement cause of the love commonality acceptance and trust that has been our foundation as a body of believers

Accountability .. we looking into each others eyes and seeing God in the flesh in each other can share our weakness and defects and failings and be loved and supported and admonished and in rare cases rebuked( by the very ones who struggle with that same issue and can tell u that it can lead to a tragic end) to keep our eyes upon JESUS and what He already has done for us on the CROSS

Growth and Healing! to look into some ones eyes and see compassion and empathy for our own confessed or seen terribble failings helps the healing and growth in boundless ways

Transparency! God calls all of us to be in transparent fellowship.

The devil knows this and tries every way for the church to be unsafe.

secrets grow bigger in the dark

thats why God Light has to shine on all of us and all our deeds!

the 12 step program which is based on the beatitudes says as much

thats one of the reasons why i call out all homosexuals to come out of the closet!

closets are dark and meant for your gowns not people.

come into the LIGHT!

[Dr. Shane]

Nice to see you back in here, Parade Orange,

[Gail]

Always good to see you again, Parade Orange! Come visit more!

It's nice to see a positive post, too!

By open sin, is it meant that one tells the world about it? I'm wondering who needs to know... We have a heavenly Father who knows us intimately Whom we can be open with, and we should be.

I don't know how being open with other mortals can help, unless you have someone to share with who won't get dragged down with your foibles.

[Parade Orange]

thanku

i have lurked around a few times in the past

honestly not too many people interact with me here

i thanku that uu always did

[Gail]

[Parade Orange]

'Which is worse -

Do you feel it is more Holy to hide your sin or to be open about it?

I should caution you - that if you allow it to be open ... that the church will then attack you.

But if you hide it - then the church will reward you.

Now - Which do you want? Which do you think is best?'- WOODY

in my church there was a good looking godly church couple in their 40's

he was new to the faith and she was an established SDA er

they threw themselves into good church work

they were looked upon favorably

held up as a good christian couple

then they got wind of the fact that there were not perfect

someone heard they were going to a counselor together

they werent looked upon the same after that.

their witness was destroyed

the church does reward u if if the dont see no chinks in your armour

[John317]

I like your post a lot, Parade Orange. As Woody says, it's spot on.

And by the way, I'm really glad and relieved to see you back here among us. Stick around now! :-)

[Dr. Shane]

then they got wind of the fact that there were not perfect someone heard they were going to a counselor together they werent looked upon the same after that.

their witness was destroyed

the church does reward u if if the dont see no chinks in your armour

I think this is just plain stupid. I'm referring to the church being referenced and not Parade Orange making the comment. A couple going to a marriage counselor is EXACTLY what couples are suppose to be doing. Going to a marriage counselor is not a "chink in the armour". The metaphorical chink in the armour would be pride that keeps one or both of the spouses from going to a marriage counselor.

Whether or not to hide your sin or not comes down to whether or not we want help or want to be in open rebellion. One of two things are going to happen if we do not hide our sin. People that care for us will try and help us overcome the sin OR we will force the church into disciplining us if we refuse help and insist to live in open rebellion.

Personally I think it is better to live life as an open book. If the church body believes I need discipline, I am willing to accept it. It is far better for the church to discipline me today so I can correct my course than to wake up after my dirt nap and discover I am in the wrong resurrection.

[Dr. Shane]

Personally I think it is better to live life as an open book.

Just to qualify this, I don't think it is necessary, or even wise, for an alcoholic to tell everyone in the church if he or she has a relapse. He of she should be open about their struggle with alcohol, drugs, gambling, homosexuality, etc but they don't need to be telling people about every episode. It is good for them to have a trusted friend in the church that is understanding and serves as a spiritual mentor/adviser in a discipleship type of relationship and they can confide in that person the specifics of their struggle.

[Raphael]

Both routes have the same discomfort but different endings...

If one lives a 'closed book life'... the church will reward you, people who know you will reward you, the devil will reward you, perhaps the whole world will reward you but you will end up as the prodigal son's brother who got 'eternally' lost, 'quietly' without much commotion...

If one lives an 'open book life'... the church will attack, people who know you will attack, the devil will attack, perhaps the whole world will attack but you will end up as the prodigal son... terribly lost with greatest commotion, yet to be found ('saved').

Note: I may be wrong about the equal discomfort. Perhaps, for some, living a hypocritical life or living a constant lie is not as horrid as others may think.. I still need to experience that to find out...