Underutilized and overlooked equals to 'not adhering to'.
'Not adhering to' is equal to essentially not obeying.
Well, it really is all about not obeying.
There are always exceptions to this as some, while very few, are out there practicing these to the letter of original intent.
This issue centers on church discipline and matters that require legal judgment involving believers.
There is enough scripture available to follow regarding this as well as scripture that helps understand why this is happening.
I am still working through these as well in my mind in light of our current issues, societal laws and practices but there does clearly appear to be abuse or neglect regarding these biblical principles lately and these are pretty rampant in occurrences.
Most everyone knows of at least a few examples or more regarding this.
It is not my intention here to point out specific cases or examples but will instead leave that to the readers of this as I will keep what I know around that to myself at this time. It is not my intention at this time to call out people specifically. My intention is to only the point out that these issues are occurring today and what the Bible has to say about them.
I, personally, am determined to not deviate with any work-arounds but instead I purpose to stay with the contextual and original intent of what Scriptures instruct when it comes to these principles.
Changes in the times do not dictate deviating from scriptures.
We change but God does not and that includes His Word.
As far as church discipline and judging other Christians on matters I suppose the problem can be root caused by looking at Lamentations 1:10 where Jeremiah tells us why Israel fell. It was because she disobeyed God in allowing the heathen (heathen = non-Jew = non-believers in this context) into her sanctuaries when she was commanded by God to not allow the heathen into her congregation. God allowed both sanctuary and congregation to be used in His Word in order for no one to be confused about His specific command regarding this.
The adversary hath spread out his hand upon all her pleasant things: for she hath seen that the heathen entered into her sanctuary, whom thou didst command that they should not enter into thy congregation. Lamentations 1:10
For those who want to say that under the new covenant things have changed here are some scriptures that say that this is absolutely not the case and that it still applies to our current sanctuaries and congregations (the church if you will):
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Ephesians 5:10-11
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
Here are some of the scriptures that deal specifically with church discipline and matters that require legal judgment involving believers:
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? 1 Corinthians 6:1-7
Moreover 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. But 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. And 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
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. Titus 3:9-11
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. 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. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:13-15
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
Brethren, 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
No comments:
Post a Comment