Distinctions of Offenses and Discipline

 •  4 min. read  •  grade level: 10
 
Too often distinctions are overlooked and scriptures not applicable to the case are used.
1. Perhaps the mildest form of offense is suggested in Eph. 4:22With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; (Ephesians 4:2) "Bearing with one another in love." Little insignificant things love gladly overlooks.
3. Col. 3:1313Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. (Colossians 3:13) combines the above two but adds "if any should have a complaint against any." That is something more specific, yet a minor matter not even a "quarrel" (as it reads in the A.V.) much less continuous animosity.
5. When a brother has been “Taken in some fault" (Gal. 6:11Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)) grace becomes the self-distrustful to seek wisdom and guidance of the Spirit to restore him. Love is faithful.
6. Where a brother sins against me, grace would have me seek to gain him by going to him and "reprove him!" If need be go with another or two brothers. "But if he will not listen to them, tell it to the assembly, and if he will not listen to the assembly, let him be to thee as one of the nations" i.e. as an outsider. Leave it for the judgment-seat of Christ, meanwhile not allowing bitterness in the heart. Matt. 18:15-1715Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. (Matthew 18:15‑17).
8. In 2 Thess. chap. 3 the saints are enjoined to "withdraw from" and "not keep company with" any brother who refused to work "that he may be ashamed" (See Titus 3:1414And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful. (Titus 3:14)).
10. Again in Titus 3:10,1110A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 11Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. (Titus 3:10‑11) the party-maker is called "an heretical man" and "after the first and second admonition have done with," leaving him "self condemned." "Schools of opinion" are one of "the works of the flesh" (Gal. 5:2020Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, (Galatians 5:20)).
11. Underminers of the fundamental truth effecting the person of Christ must not be permitted in our door nor even greeted 2 John 1010If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: (2 John 10).
13. In 1 Cor. 5 we see how a wicked person must be "put away" by the assembly, and the saints "not to mix with him," not "even to eat" "with such a one," as holiness becomes the Lord's presence and His assembly (Psa. 93:55Thy testimonies are very sure: holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever. (Psalm 93:5)). In Lev. 13 and 14 are principles for discerning and acting respecting leprosy as sin in its defiling activity. Godly carefulness in the Spirit is becoming, avoiding both haste and indifference, but feeling the shame and making the sin our own Lev. 6:2626The priest that offereth it for sin shall eat it: in the holy place shall it be eaten, in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation. (Leviticus 6:26); 2 Cor. 7:1111For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2 Corinthians 7:11), not coldly to get rid of one, but, only as a last resort, for the Lord's honor and the need of the soul, keeping in view restoration after such is broken down 2 Cor. 2:5-115But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part: that I may not overcharge you all. 6Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 9For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. 10To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:5‑11). During the suspension, intercourse should be avoided.
14. In 2 Tim. 2 where gatherings dishonor the Lord as an established principle it is incumbent upon the faithful to "withdraw," "purify himself from those" and gather "with those that call upon the Lord out of a pure heart." This alone is the divine way of being "a vessel to honor" and "approved" (1 Cor. 11:1919For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. (1 Corinthians 11:19)).
A. C. Brown
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