by David Brenneman
"But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves." 1 Corinthians 5:11-13.
“If your brother sins , go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:15-20.
"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. So then, you will know them by their fruits." Matthew 7:16-20.
Oh would it be that I had a dollar for every single time that I was told "you shouldn't judge!". Sometimes that was followed up with a reason so-and-so wasn't being talked to about something they shouldn't be involved with. Inevitably as the Scriptures say their sins find themselves out in those cases.
Had someone spoken up then perhaps the current state of those people wouldn't have been as it turned out to be.
Indeed within the Church we are supposed to comes along side brothers and sisters in Christ to help them get back to Jesus.
We're not supposed to shun those in the world as Paul also wrote in 1 Corinthians 5.
It's a often difficult road to walk both within the Church dealing with people who need Godly correction and those outside the Church who are flaunting their utter sinfulness.
Within the Church we have a responsibility towards those who truly are of the body of Christ.
The Scriptures do say to all who are Believer's that to know the right thing to do and do not do it sins.
What's compounding things are those to whom nobody helped seeing others doing the same and then use the excuse that they can't say anything because they did that too.
So let's follow that logic. You go too fast down a gravel road on a bike and spill. You were seriously hurt from it. So now you're going to say nothing to the next person who comes along that you see is about to do the same thing?
People who are seriously recovered addicts are hopefully going to put up flags to warn others of those dangers.
We are supposed to help others in Christ to grow in Christ. Not just by way of Sunday School, Life Groups or Adult Bible Studies, but in our everyday.
Jesus came along hundreds if not thousands to turn them back to the right path for them. John essentially eluded to that when he finished writing his Gospel.
Those in the world who are living the utterly sinful life and are giving the impression that they neither regret nor have any reservations about...you shouldn't be turning a blind eye to. You should show them the love of Christ but do not support them in their sinfulness. Jesus, on more than one occasion, said "Go and sin no more".
He never congratulated them on discovering who they say they are as opposed to who God said they are.
He never told people that it's ok, everyone does it.
We are to pray without ceasing. Praying for those lost in their present darkness. Being the light of Jesus Christ...when people want exposure for their sinful deeds and when they don't.
Don't take it from me...hear now my Dear Reader what Jesus said.
"Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked,” declares the Lord God, “rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?" Ezekiel 18:23.
People are going to be grateful or hateful when sins are exposed for what they are.
The truth of Jesus Christ sets people free it never binds them up.
Religion can bind people up in rules and regulations that have nothing to do with the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Jesus came to seek and save the lost...to set people free from the law of sin and death.
Making excuses to stay in sin both because of Christians and the unbelieving is ridiculous.
That's like having a celebration day for the iceberg that the Titanic ran into. Establishing a law protecting icebergs from discrimination or abuse.
I would pray that if I am going down a path that God doesn't approve that Godly people would step in the way to turn me back around.
If they don't...I can promise you that should these people be Believers...when we get to Heaven I'm pretty sure they will have some explaining to do.
We who are in Christ are to indeed be fruit inspectors. We will know them by their fruits. When that fruit has troubles...we're to get involved. Either directly or through prayer. Doing nothing is not an option. The Spirit makes us aware at the precise moment when He's wanting our help to make things happen. To make things better. To make things right.
Don't give up when you only realize after the fact. Start fervently praying. Read the Gospels...Christ-followers aren't to give up when it comes to obedience to God's Word.
Pray on Pray over Pray through...silence is not golden nor acceptable.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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