Comments on: Liberating the Whore pt. 2

By: April M

April M — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:18:56 +0000

I agree with Meri and Nancy.

I grew up in a very strict independent Baptist church. The pastor made people stand in front of the congregation and confess their sin and apologize, but only if a girl got pregnant or a spouse had an affair. I never understood that. Why only the “big” sins or the ones that were noticeable? I always felt if you were going to make those people do that then why not everyone no matter what the sin? If we sin should we have to appoligize to everyone? or just to God and the ones you’ve hurt?

By: Michael

Michael — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 06:53:49 +0000

While my answer won’t be as long or deep as the previous answers, I do agree with Nancy and Meri. I do think that we need our sins exposed, it makes us realize how much we need God. When we realize God is all we need and that we really do need Him, we will finally be happy and seek after nothing else. I also think that when God forgives us and we overcome stuff such as school/family issues, fear of relationships, habitual lying, fighting, self-esteem problems, addictions, or whatever other sins we struggle with, no matter how “big” or “small” they are, God will use those stories in our lives to bring others closer to Him. So, yes, we need to be exposed for what we are.

By: Meri

Meri — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:29:14 +0000

If God gives you discernment about others…. use it to pray for them….

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:25:13 +0000

Thought came to me also that God took her into the desert to expose her sin. He didn’t humiliate her in public or talk about her or all the other things we seem to turn to–rather than praying for others and graciously encouraging a turning toward God.

By: Meri

Meri — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:56:42 +0000

Great point Nancy!! Only if the Lord exposes it b/c HE alone is able to fix us and restore us. I love that HE alone knows the perfect timing and the perfect fire to burn off the dross. God knows each of our hearts and HE alone weights the heart and the motivation of each of us. He alone knows why we do “works” for Him, others or self. He alone will shows us where change needs to be made. I love that HE does this. He is the PERFECT good shepherd. The sheep know HIS voice….. I am learning more and more to STOP and listen to HIS voice. May HIS light shine bright.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:13:06 +0000

Yes, there is value in having our whoredom exposed–as long as it’s God doing the exposing! Hosea 2 is the Lord speaking–He is doing the exposing and the disciplining and the restoring.

Luke 6:37-42 (judging and the brother’s eye) should be weighed very heavily before the Lord in prayer, before exposing another’s sin– in balance with Matt. 18:15-17.

And, yes, we are called to be perfect: 2 Peter 3: 11-12, 1 Peter 1: 16, Lev. 11:44, 19:2, and 20:7–both testaments call us to be holy. The holiness of the Old Testament was through the Law, and as Chris showed us so well on Sunday, is impossible for us to accomplish. The holiness of the New Testament is through the Blood of the Lamb—and we are called to live in that holiness.

We are His bride, and He has restored us through His blood. We all will have to respond to that offered gift. The last verse of Hosea sums it up well:
“Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will understand them. The ways of the Lord are right: the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.”