[UntoHim]

Brothers, it looks like our brother Barnabas is processing his situation as best he can, with what light the Lord has shown him, and most importantly, he has taken great measures to assume the best from the other brother. He has taken on the heart and mind that they are both fellowshipping with each other in good faith. No matter the controversy, no matter how fierce and bitter our disagreements may be, the Lord can do so much more with an open and soft heart, rather than a hardened heart that assumes the worst in another person. We're all old guys here. Haven't we heard and seen enough to know this is true?

All this being said, I don't think you brothers (Ohio and StG) are giving Jo S the benefit of the doubt that he is trying to discuss these matters in good faith. His experience is different than ours. If it's one thing we've learned from our Local Church experience is that different is neither good nor bad - it is just different. Another thing we (hopefully) learned was that brothers who have experienced something different, and are bold enough to tell us about it, are not our enemies! So let's not treat them as if they were, OK?

And let's resist the temptation of blowing up this thread by getting into a debate about the debate. Barnabas and the others following this thread deserve better. Thanks for your understanding.
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