| warlord74 said: Timmah can you tell me what these passages mean? Ezekiel ch 33 versus 7 -9 Matthew Ch 18 versus 15- 18 |
Are you trying to say we should tell people outside the faith they're 'sinners'? If so, you're reacing, a lot. The only people Jesus ever called out were the judgemental, pious, overly religious pharisees.
The first one is from the old testament (old covenant) which was done away with. We don't have to refrain from eating pork, wear only certain types of clothing, observe religious feasts, or follow any of those other rules that the Isrealites followed, so you can't just pick the parts you like out of the old testament and use them. Also, that passage was talking about a specific prophet who was given a specific message for a specific people (his people, the isrealites).
The one in Matthew is referring to talking to 'our brothers', meaning others in the faith, about their faults for their good. If you have a Christian 'brother or sister' who is having an issue that damages their witness or well being, it would be a good idea to talk to them about it and help them through it if you are close enough to them for this to be appropriate. This would not be judging them, but 'speaking the truth in love' so as to help them become a better person. Keep in mind this is not a free pass to go tell everybody around you what you think they've done wrong. There's a reason why Jesus said not to point out the speck in your brother's eye when you have a plank (or splinter) in your own. We all have our own issues, so we're not in any position to be the judge of others.
