There is an error in presuming that Ravi was sinning wantonly and unrepentantly.
That is not for us to know or judge.
We can judge his actions by comparing to Scripture which calls it sin, but we simply cannot know his heart and we are not in the position to be able to make that determination.
That is God’s job and His alone and it is not anyone’s place to demand others to make that judgment. Taking such a position and making that demand of others is, in effect, usurping God.
It’s not a place any believer should dare to tread.
Personally, Metmom, I have a very hard time believing he did those things because it was mighty convenient that the accusers came out after his death when his estate would have been open and a timeline existing to file a claim. Usually 90 days.
Why not make the claims while he was alive?
It doesn’t add up to me and that’s why I used “if” in my sentence. I just don’t buy it.
MM: There is an error in presuming that Ravi was sinning wantonly and unrepentantly.
PHIL: Trust me, Ravi “wanted” it (see what I did there?). That was well established by even his church in their investigation. The only question remaining is if he died in unrepentant sin. Newsflash: I DON’T CARE! It’s not my job to make the decision on his eternal salvation. God will make that decision. But, if he did die in unrepentant sin, there’s no chance he is going to heaven according to the bible. And we are talking about one of “THE” Christian poster boys.
MM: We can judge his actions by comparing to Scripture which calls it sin....
PHIL: Why would you care what sin is? You, Ravi, and all of your FR friends are IMMUNE to it. You get a free pass. Ravi rapes and commits adultry (many other sins BTW) and he’s still going to heaven? Oh noooooooos, it was Ravi’s flesh that was sinning, not his spirit. Right?
(from some random internet article)
The doctrine and works of the Nicolatians came forth from a wrong interpretation of the grace of God that was preached by the apostles. They misused the Grace of God and the liberty in Christ to fulfill their carnal (sexual) lusts and desires.
They believed and said that a person is saved by grace and therefore it doesn’t matter how you live. By faith in Jesus Christ, the spirit of a person is saved, but since you are bound by the flesh, in which evil is present, you will always remain a sinner and always keep on sinning. You serve God through your spirit, but you keep serving your flesh and it’s lusts and desires during your life on earth.
MM, this is YOUR doctrine. Substitute in any sin. It is grievous error to claim God’s grace covers you from the PENALTY of future sin. That is made very, very (very) clear in the bible (Hebrews 10).
Ravi would have made a terrific Nicolatian.
Definition of antinomian: a believer in the doctrine that faith alone, not obedience to the moral law, is necessary for salvation.” Websters New World Dictionary.