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As the years go on we are blessed to see more and more
souls come into the glorious truth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many see repentance
in Christ as the end of a long journey. In reality – the journey has just begun.
As you would expect, newly repented brothers and sisters are eager to fellowship
with other likeminded believers in a Church that uplifts the doctrine of Christ.
All too often what they find is an environment of sin, corruption, anger, secret
hatred, and strife. How did this happen? The answer is simple. While many
churches claim to be expert in the mysteries of God – the state of the
congregation proves that they are novices in one of the most basic and most
important lessons of scriptures (Love thy neighbor
as thyself).
1Cr 3:1
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal,
[even] as unto babes in Christ.
1Cr 3:3
For ye are yet carnal: for whereas [there is] among you
envying, and
strife, and
divisions,
are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
When the Lord Jesus Christ founded his
church he knew that the corruptions of men would also enter his congregation.
This is why Christ gave such explicit detail concerning how his TRUE disciples
would deal with conflicts among themselves.
The Coming of Offences
Luk 17:1
Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come:
but woe [unto him], through whom they come!
Luk 17:2
It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast
into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
As brothers and sisters escaping the
corruptions of the world, we are often overcome by our carnal nature. Because of
the envy, strife’s and hatreds that are within us, we often say and do things to
each other that are hurtful, cruel and evil. Worst yet, when we are reproved for
these things we are often too blinded by pride to acknowledge our faults. This
is why Christ explained to us that offences would come in this ministry but
Destruction comes to the person who brings the offence. However, the wisdom of
the scriptures does provide a way out for all souls who truly seek repentance.
Mat
18:15 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.
Mat 18:16
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.
Mat 18:17
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.
The true beauty of Mathew the 18th
chapter is that Christ provided instruction on how to reconcile and make peach
with your brother. By following the instructions above you have a chance to make
peace with your brother “one on one” before there is an opportunity for tale
bearing or sowing of discord to take place. If you are not able to reconcile
with your brother one on one you have the opportunity to involve other church
members that will judge the matter with an unbiased eye (Meaning that they will
judge according to the scriptures). In some cases a person may not see or accept
his fault even after being reproved by additional witnesses. These cases are
brought before the congregation at which time if it is shown that one party no
longer wishes to abide in the doctrine of Christ, they will no longer have the
privilege of fellowship. (but if he neglect to hear
the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.)
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Luk 11:4
And forgive us our sins;
for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into
temptation; but deliver us from evil.
These words are taken from the Lords
prayer which was taught to us by Jesus Christ. Part of the reason we readily
forgive one another is because we are mindful of how patient and merciful the
Lord has been with us through our offences.
Luk 17:3
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and
if he repent, forgive him.
The
Lord instructs us to rebuke or correct our brother when he sins against us and “IF”
he repents (Confesses and forsakes his sin
Prov 28:13 / Not a sin unto Death) you must forgive him. It is not
always easy for us to forgive each other, especially if the offence was very
hurtful or angered us. The scriptures tell us that times will come when offences
make us angry but the spirit of Christ admonishes us to avoid sin.
Eph
4:26 Be ye angry, and sin
not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27
Neither give place to the devil.
The scripture tell us to be angry and
sin not - Don’t let your anger lead you to the breaking of the commandments by
giving in to hatred and grudges. The Lord commands us to reconcile before the
day even comes to an end. When we give in to our anger we are (giving
place to the devil) and the devil has NO place in the Body of
Christ!
The New Commandment
John 13:34
A new commandment I give
unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one
another.
John 13:35
By this shall all [men]
know that ye are my disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
Just as the Lord Jesus Christ showed
his love for his disciples by his actions, so too must we treat each other with
the same love and compassion. This love is the proof that we are the disciples
of Christ and servants to his will.
1John 3:14
We know that we have passed
from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not [his]
brother abideth in death.
1John 3:15
Whosoever hateth his
brother is a murderer: and ye know that
no murderer hath
eternal life
abiding in him.
Forging a Family
To our beloved brethren worldwide who
are waking up to the glory of Christ we admonish you to take heed to these
scriptures. When the time comes that the Lord blesses you with a Church family
we pray that it is a family that exemplifies the love of Christ – if not - then
let your light shine and become the best example of Christ that you can be. It
is evident from reading the epistles that every church had its own set of unique
problems and challenges but those who were obedient to the words of Christ
always stood together. It may be that the Lord would deliver his true believers
from wicked and unreasonable men
2Th 3:1
Finally, brethren, pray for us,
that the word of the Lord may have [free] course, and be glorified, even as [it
is] with you:
2Th 3:2
And that we may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men: for all [men] have not faith.
2Th 3:3 But the Lord is
faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep [you] from evil.
Shalam
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