Handling that brother properly
The gospel is a message of reconciliation and we have become students of this. When a brother offends/dishonors in the local church, oftentimes he is marked out and exposed just as apostle Paul instructed:
2Thessalonians 3:11-15;
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
This is for those who would not work with their hands, and by implication, who do not obey instructions in the local assembly.
Romans 16:17-18;
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Mark them that cause divisions and offences based on what they teach, in that they are about their own selfish interests.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-7;
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
It is proper to do so to avoid leavening the entire lump. Jesus also admonished discernment and keeping away from the doctrine of the Pharisees. It’s quite instructive to see that when Saul turned a deaf ear to the truth and made disobedience normal, Samuel withdrew his support, lest we become partakers with others in their sin. More so, if we keep endorsing such in the name of ‘brother’, we all will become what is unbefitting for the church of the Lord, as evil company corrupts good manners.
1 Corinthians 15:33; Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Having said that, it would be improper of us to now see such one as a stranger or treat him as an outcast. Paul enjoins us to treat him like a brother. God does not rejoice in separation and so we must be careful not to throw away the baby with the bath water.
We cannot deny the fact that there are people who are repetitive offenders, rebellious and difficult, and what Paul instructed should be carried out to the uttermost. The brother must be shown what he has done wrong, also what he should have done. If he chooses to still be rebellious, he should be treated as deserving of his conduct that he may be ashamed.
However, there are people who actually did wrong but have repentant hearts. Oftentimes, the mistake is when they err, we mark them (which is good), and shut them out. We must not rejoice in separation, the love of God doesn’t give up on anyone. Paul demonstrates how to both Mark that brother and also gain that brother.
See what happened between Onesimus and Philemon:
Onesimus had wronged Philemon, yet Paul pleaded on behalf of Onesimus for Philemon to accept him back as a brother. We must know how to deal with rebellion and also how to restore and nurture a repentant heart – That’s been apostolic through and through.
We must never be for separation, so many that should have been corrected and nurtured were alienated and they got worse, we shouldn’t make such grave mistake.
The message of the church is the grace of God, we must live that grace too.
MARK THAT BROTHER AND ALSO GAIN THE BROTHER.
Daily Bible Reading Plan:
1 Kings 11 – 12
TEACHING OF THE DAY
Responding to the move of the Spirit (1)