I disagree with Piper. For non-Christians it’s okay to attend because they don’t make such claims of faith in Christ?
But Paul said it is better to marry than to burn with passion. Paul acknowledges the power of hormones. So, if they finally decide to do the right thing and marry, then we’re supposed to punish them?
Yeah right, this is sure grounded in reality. Next wedding invitation I get Im going to ask if they’ve been doing the nasty before I decide to go to the wedding.
Bump
Just went to a wedding...the bride and groom had been living together for 10 years...the bride had 3 grown children from 2 previous husbands...the preacher says...”you may now kiss the bride”..say what? The’ve been stuhping for 10+ years, and the kiss seals it? ...This is people worshipping the ceremony, and not the reality. If it’s not Gods word properly understood(i.e historically., grammatically, theologically, etc)...then don’t believe it. You can pick what you like based on your culture, but God doesn’t care about your thoughts...If you knowingly disobey Gods word....just forget it (live as if Gods word is meaningless) ...and take your post life chances on your own understanding. Good luck from all the “drama” you will get from being unfaithful to your future wife pre wedding....
“Christians Shouldn’t Attend Weddings of Christians Who Fornicate and Believe It’s OK: John Piper”
would it be OK to attend weddings of Christians who fornicate if you DON’T believe it’s OK?
I have served on church staff, and this is a serious issue.
Being tolerant of human failing, and avoiding legalism, is one thing - but turning a blind eye so as to avoid conflict and keep the people attending (and tithing) is another.
Piper is right. Despite how people have mischaracterized his words and stance, he is merely affirming the truth of God’s word.
Yes, we are all sinners and Christians confess this and determine that when they sin they will not be proud of it, or keep doing it, but will repent and pray and try to grow in their faith and put the sin behind them. When they see their brothers and sisters sinning, they will love them enough to try and help them out of it. They will not encourage or affirm their sin.
You see, God is love. The reason he has given us guidelines for living is because he loves us. He, as the creator, knows what is best. Sin is walking in darkness and it leads to bad consequences in this life and eternal condemnation in the next. If we grow in the likeness of God, we will not be condoning or affirming sinful behavior in others who claim to be believers.
The “discipline” Piper refers to is the Biblical progression outlined in Matthew 18 where a totally unrepentant sinner is no longer considered a member of the body of believers - the church. He may come and listen and we will pray for him to repent, but he may not take on any leadership position or participate in any church role - until he confesses and repents. That’s all.
The person or persons Piper described are those that have no regrets about their sexual activity outside of marriage. They do not see it as wrong and so they are unrepentant. Attending a marriage celebration is a non-verbal statement of affirmation for most people. You are, in effect, affirming and celebrating the relationship from start to finish. I could not do this. Am I better or more holy than anyone else? No, just another sinner trying to love my neighbor by not celebrating sin.
Looking at a lot of the reactions to this, I see the cultural influence of today’s me-centered culture. “Nobody is going to tell ME how to live MY life!” I know what is best! This is feelings based living. If it feels good - do it. But the Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
Well, I don’t know what is best for me. I am a wretched sinner. I have to depend on God’s wisdom to get me through this fallen world.
Then we should attend no weddings at all, for all have sinned. I don’t think the concept of a wedding is in the bible anyway. We also should not work at places where fornicators work or grocery shop at places where the do, and then, let’s look in the mirror.
Christians should not support the weddings of Christian couples who fornicate and believe it is permissible
I do not know of any scripture to support this but it fits with common sense and also with Gods laws.
Kind of like a hard working man raising sheep and cattle and
inviting guests to a feast which he has provided by the sweat of his brow versus a lazy good for nothing who does nothing but has his sons to go out and kill some wild hogs so that he can impress his neighbors with a feast.