Is the Church Soft on Living Together?

I say a hearty amen to Bro Bob that it is shameful that this topic has to even be discussed.

There are certain things in the Bible that are debatable. We will never all agree on certain things but how can we ignore something like this?

It is so plainly laid out in the Bible that fornication is a sin (a serious one at that)
How can a church be honest with the Bible and ignore that?

 

Actually, it is my understanding that adultery is still against the law in most states.
It is seldom, if ever enforced but it is against the law.

 

How does the congregation know if two people sharing one residence are having sexual relations? Baptists have committees that pry into such things?

 

>Actually, it is my understanding that adultery is still against the law in most states.

Not correct. The last one was shot down last year. It was Alabama or Georgia, some state in the Old South.

These days many colleges have co-ed dorms. The students all going to Hell?

 

I am sure there are certain cases of two people of the opposite sex living together as a way to save money. THey may not even be close friends and they may not share a bed.
However, the vast majority of people who cohabitate are:
Going together,
Significant others
Boyfriends and girlfriend
A little sweet on each other
Going steady


Ok, I had a little fun coming up with a few ways of stating the obvious.

If a guys girlfriend moves in with him and they aren't sleeping together.....do you think I was born yesterday?

 

Sorry 'bout That

I'm not permitted on this specific sub list.

 

If they're living in adultery or fornication, yes.

 

However, God could certainly save them from that lifestyle.

 

Saved from out of that lifestyle...

If they claim to be saved, yet are living that lifestyle with no apparent sign of conviction, can it truly be said they are saved?

 

I would certainly have my doubts.
Could they be one of the elect? Sure. But we would not know unless they repented.

 

This came up in my small country church. I had a family come speak to me about joining the church, because it is a small community I knew that the man was not married to the woman. They wanted to all come and join as a family. When I explained that this is not the YMCA we do not offer "family memberships". I also mentioned that according to the word of God their living together was a sin and should be repented of and they either needed to live separately and /or get married before considering coming for membership consideration.

Long story short they got mad left and found a church that either did not know or did not care to know and they joined that church.

We were a small church and five new members would have been a huge blessing, but we could not compromise what the Word tells us.


Chuck2336

 

Chuck, that is a great example of judging RIGHTEOUSLY.
Thanks for sharing.

 

Even Christians can stumble, and Christians can fail against the cravings of the flesh.

Yes, the church has become soft on cohabitation. And why not? It has been soft on divorce for decades. Gotta be careful talking about the "D" word... over half the congregation is on number two, or three, or six... can't afford to lose what little they drop in the offering plate. After all the child support and alimony, it won't be much.

[Sorry... touchy subject. Hits close to home.]