God's Word clearly exhorts us, as born again believers and members of the body of Christ, to stand together in unity.Ê
Ephesians 4:1 3.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.Ê
But is this exhortation unconditional?Ê Are we to stand together with any and all born again believers, under any and all circumstances?Ê Can a situation arise in which we are no longer instructed by God to stand together in unity?Ê Is our unity God's primary concern?Ê If not, what could possibly be more important to Him?
To answer these questions, we must go to God's Word and find out what priority God has placed on our unity, what is to be its basis, and when, if ever, it is right in the eyes of God for believers to separate themselves from other believers.
I.Ê Our Spiritual Unity.
God's plan for this age, as revealed in His Word, is that both Jew and Gentile be united in one body in Christ.
Ephesians 2:11 22; 3:1 6. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were afar off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:Ê
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
For through him we both have access by one spirit unto the Father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the house hold of God;
And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit.
For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, if ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you ward:
How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel...
Before Christ, we who were Gentiles had no standing before God, no right to the promises God had made, no hope.Ê By uniting both Jew and Gentile in his flesh, Christ reconciled both to God (Ephesians 2:14 16).Ê We were totally identified with Christ, and he with us, so that our sins were placed on him, and his righteousness was given to us.
Romans 6:3 4, 6.
Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:Êthat like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life...
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that hence forth we should not serve sin.Ê
Ephe sians 2:4 6.
But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us,
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
We were crucified with Christ; we died with Christ; we were buried with Christ; we were made alive with Christ; we rose with Christ; we ascended with Christ; we are seated at the right hand of the Father in Christ.Ê We have been united with Christ by baptism, and by one spirit, and are thus united with each other in one body.
I Corinthians 12:12 13.
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that body, being many, are one body:Ê so also is Christ.
For by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one spirit.
Both legally and spiritually we have been made one body with Christ.Ê This aspect of our unity is entirely independent of anything we do once we are born again.Ê We did not make ourselves part of this one body, but rather
...now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.Ê I Corinthians 12:18.
By the same token, there is nothing we can do to destroy this God given unity, to sever ourselves from the body of Christ.
Christ is the one and only head of this body.Ê God
...hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.Ê Ephesians 1:22 23.
This body of Christ crosses all denominational lines and all other man made barriers.Ê This body is united because God united it, and nothing we can do, whether good or bad, can change this.
However, God has not only called us to legal and spiritual unity; He has called us to stand together in fellowship with each other as well.Ê What is to be the basis of this fellowship?Ê How high a priority is it with God?Ê We must again go to God's Word to find out.
II.Ê Fellowship:Ê Unity in Practice.
God's will for us as born again believers is that we walk in fellowship with Him, with His son Jesus Christ, and with each other.
I John 1:3.
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us:Ê and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His son Jesus Christ.Ê
How great a priority God puts on this unity of fellowship can be seen in the exhortation given to us in I Corinthians 1:10.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement.
We are not merely beseeched to stand together with no divisions among us; we are beseeched by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! This is about as strong as a request or exhorta tion can get without being a direct order.
We are also told here what is to be the basis of our stand together; we are to "speak the same thing", to be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement".Ê About what are we exhorted so strongly to be like minded?Ê Clearly God's Word is the only thing that can be meant, the only thing about which we can all agree, the only thing about which we can, and must, be likeminded.
Each of us is responsible to renew his mind to God's Word (Romans 12:2), so that all of us can be likeminded on God's Word and walk together with God, with Christ, and with each other in fellowship.
Philippians 2:1 5.
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus...
We must put on the mind or thoughts of Christ as individuals so that we can walk together "likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind".Ê Outside the context of the renewed mind, no godly unity is possible.
In particular, we are not to exalt ourselves in our own minds above our brothers and sisters in Christ, so as to think of ourselves as better than them.Ê Nor are we to seek our own profit or benefit without seeking also the profit of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Romans 12:16.
Be of the same mind one toward another.Ê Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.Ê Be not wise in your own conceits.Ê
Romans 15:5 7.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
God's Word specifically exhorts us not to lie to each other, in light of our relationship as members of the same body.
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor:Êfor we are members one of another.
Most important of all, we are exhorted to walk in love one toward another, to have the same care for each other, so that there will be no divisions in the body.
I Corinthians 12:18 26.
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.
And if they were all one member, where were the body?
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:Ê nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need:Ê but God hath tempered the body together.Êhaving given more abundant honor to that part which lacked:
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.
There are no unimportant or expendable members in the body, or in the fellowship of believers.Ê If one member is in pain, the rest of the body is supposed to be in pain also; that is, they are supposed to care enough to do whatever is necessary to minister to the needs of the suffering member.
Even the head of the body, who is Christ, cannot say to the least member of the body, "I don't need you!"Ê How much more true is this of the rest of us!
To help believers stand on the Word as individuals, so that they can stand together with God, with Christ, and with each other, God has set ministries in the church.
Ephesians 4:11 16.
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body, fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, accord ing to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.Ê
As leaders within the fellowship of believers, those with ministries are to lead not only by teaching, reproving, and correcting with God's Word, but by being living examples of God's Word for other believers to follow.
I Corinthians 4:14 16.
I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers:Êfor in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me...
Not only are our leaders to be examples to us; we are to take note of those believers who are walking according to God's Word, and to follow their example.
Philip pians 3:17.
Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an example.
I Thessalonians 1:5 8.
For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost;
So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
For from you sounded out the Word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.Ê
From all of this it is very clear that God's heart and desire for us is that we stand together in fellowship not only with Him and with Christ, but also with each other, and that this is a very high priority with Him.
Ephesians 4:1 3.
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.Ê
III.Ê Carnal Divisions.
When believers habitually walk by their senses instead of by the revealed Word of God, divisions take place in their midst.
I Corinthians 1:10 13.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ.
Is Christ divided?Ê Was Paul crucified for you?Ê Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?Ê
Neither Paul nor Apollos nor Cephas (Peter) were in Corinth at this time, nor were these the names that were coming up in the local contentions; in I Corinthians 4:6 Paul says,
...these things, brethren, I have in a figure trans ferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes...
In other words, the Corinthians were arguing about leaders in their own midst.Ê Either these men were trying to exalt themselves above other believers, or the believers were trying to do it for them.Ê Paul reproved them with God's Word, using himself and Apollos and others as examples,
I Corinthians 4:6b 7.
...that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
For who made thee to differ from another?Ê And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?Ê Now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?"Ê
In I Corinthians 3:3 4, he explains that such divisions are caused by believers walking by the mind of the flesh, the carnal mind.
For ye are yet carnal:Ê for where there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
For while one saith, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
The characteristic signs of this kind of division are envy, strife, five senses thinking, and the exalting of one man above another.Ê This kind of division is always wrong, always contrary to the will of God.
But do all divisions among believers fall into this cate gory?Ê Is every instance of division among believers wrong in and of itself?Ê Is there ever a time when we would be right to separate ourselves from other believers?Ê What circumstances, if any, would make such a separation necessary?
IV.Ê Separation from Darkness.
As believers, God instructs us to walk in light of His Word, and to separate ourselves from darkness.
Ephesians 5:1 13.
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children:
And walk in love, as Christ also loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient:Êbut rather giving of thanks.
For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Let no man deceive you with vain words:Êfor because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord:Ê walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.Ê But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light:Ê for whatso ever doth make manifest is light.
I Corinthians 15:33 34.
Be not deceived:Ê evil communications corrupt good manners.Ê
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God:Ê I speak this to your shame.
Verse 33 literally reads, "...evil associations corrupt good morals."
God's Word instructs us not only to separate ourselves from evil activities, but from believers who persist in walking in darkness as well.
I Corinthians 5:1 6.
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, concern ing 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.
Your glorying is not good.Ê Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
In I Corinthians 10:16 17 we are called "one bread" as well as "one body", as an illustration of our fellowship together, much as the shewbread in the Tabernacle represented the fellow ship that the Jews had with each other and with God.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?Ê The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
For we being many are one bread, and one body:Ê for we are all partakers of that one bread.
In I Corinthians 5, we are warned not to allow leaven, representing evil, to remain in the lump (of dough).Ê If we fail to remove it, we are warned that the infection, the yeast, will spread until it permeates the whole lump.
I Corinthians 5:7 8.
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened.Ê For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
"Purg(ing) out...Êthe old leaven" in this case is the same as "deliver(ing) such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh".Ê What does this mean in practical terms?
I Corinthians 5:9 13.
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idola ters; for then ye must needs go out of the world.
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
For what have I to do to judge them also that ate without?Ê Do not ye judge them that are within?
But them that are without God judgeth.Ê Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.Ê
We purge out the leaven by putting away from ourselves those persons who persist in walking in darkness.Ê Clearly this is a form of division, but it is division ordained by God rather than the result of walking by our senses.
I Timothy 1:19 20.
Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning the faith have made ship wreck:Ê
Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.Ê
II Thessalonians 3:14.
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.Ê
Romans 16:17 18.
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good works and fair speech deceive the hearts of the simple.Ê
Philippians 3:18 19.
(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)Ê
We have already seen from God's Word how high a priority God places on unity among born again believers, exhorting us in the strongest possible language to stand together likeminded on His Word.Ê What priority does God place on our separating ourselves from believers who are walking contrary to God's Word?
II Thessalonians 3:6.
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.Ê
Here we are not exhorted, nor are we merely commanded; we are COMMANDED IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST to carry out this instruction every single time this situation arises.Ê To my knowledge, this is the strongest language possible in giving instruction to the church.
We are not told to wait for further revelation before taking action; these are God's standing orders regarding this situa tion.Ê No room is left for individual discretion, or for taking into account the circumstances of the case.
Most important, this commandment clearly overrides every exhortation that God has given us to stand together in unity; unity at the price of fellowshipping with darkness is clearly not acceptable to God.
Nowhere are we instructed to make an exception in the case of leadership who walk in darkness.Ê If anything, evil on their part is an even more serious danger.Ê Where they allow practical error in their lives to go uncorrected, it matures into doctrinal error and spreads like wildfire among the believers who fellow ship with them.
II Timothy 2:16 18.
But shun profane and vain babblings:Ê for they will increase unto more ungodliness.
And their word will eat as doth a canker:Ê of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.Ê
The word "canker" means "gangrene".Ê The primary reason for God's emphatic instruction for us to separate ourselves from believers who are walking in darkness is to prevent the spread of the infection to the rest of the fellowship.
Another reason is to make the erring brother or sister ashamed of their error.
II Thessalonians 3:14 15.
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.Ê
Cicero, a famous orator in ancient Rome, once uncovered a plot to overthrow the government during his year as consul (somewhat like our president).Ê The ringleader of the plot was Cataline, a senator.Ê When Cicero appeared before the senate to warn them of the danger, Cataline had seated himself among them, as though nothing were wrong.Ê
Cicero launched into his speech, detailing the plot and berating Cataline for his treason.Ê As he spoke, the senators seated around Cataline silently stood up, one by one, and moved to the other side of the room.Ê By the time Cicero finished his speech, every senator in the building had moved to the other side of the room, leaving Cataline sitting alone.Ê Cataline left the senate, never to return.
In separating themselves physically from Cataline, the senators were demonstrating their separation from his treason as well, as well as expressing their disapproval of it.Ê In like manner, we are to separate ourselves physically from believers who persist in walking in darkness, so that they can see our separation from their evil deeds, and our disapproval of them.
Another reason for this commandment is to bring about the restoration of that brother to fellowship with God and with the other believers.
Galatians 6:1.
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.
Another reason is to prove or demonstrate our own obedience to God's Word.
II Corinthians 2:9.
For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.Ê
Finally, the carrying out of this instruction demonstrates the love and concern that our leadership has for God's people.
II Corinthians 2:4.
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
II Corinthians 7:12.
Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
How and when is this separation to be carried out?Ê Are we to withdraw from every brother who so much as makes a mistake?Ê How much time are we to allow for the believer to correct his error before withdrawing from him?
First and foremost, we are responsible to judge ourselves according to God's Word.
I Corinthians 11:31 32.
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
If, when we examine ourselves, we confess our sin to the Father, putting off the old man and putting on the new, the matter is ended.
I John 1:9.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Ê
If we fail to see and correct our errors, it is the respon sibility of other believers who are walking in fellowship with God to reprove and correct us, not with their own ideas and wisdom, but with the Word of God.
Galatians 2:11 14.
But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.
For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles:Ê but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.
And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Titus 1:9 11, 13b.
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceiv ers, specially they of the circumcision:
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake.
...Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith.
How many times are we to reprove a person without result before taking stronger action?Ê Are we to rely on our own judgement in this?Ê Should we allow a person a year to change? Two years?
Titus 3:8 11 is the only passage of scripture addressed to people living in the Grace Administration that addresses this question.
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, and that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.Ê These things are good and profitable unto men.
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.
This passage addresses not so much practical error as doctrinal error.Ê An example would be Hymenaeus and Philetus (II Timothy 2:16 18), who were teaching that the resurrection was already past.Ê In such a case, the Word specifies that we are to give only two warnings before rejecting that person.
Matthew 18:15 17 deals specifically with practical error.Ê It is written to Israel under the Christ Administration, and is for our learning rather than to us; but to the extent that it agrees with what is written to us, we can apply it.
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone:Ê 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 wit nesses every word may be established.
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church:Ê but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican."
I Timothy 5:19 21 specifically deals with uncorrected practical error on the part of a leader.
Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
This is written to a man with a gift ministry.Ê He is instructed not to accept an accusation brought against an elder, that is, the leader of a household fellowship, except in the presence of two or three witnesses.Ê If the charge is true, the leader is to be reproved "before all", as an example to others.
Galatians 2:11 14 appears to illustrate this last point; in verse 14, Paul reproved Peter "before them all"; there is no indication that he had confronted Peter previous to this in private.
V.Ê Forgiveness.
An integral part of God's instruction to us to separate ourselves from believers who persist in walking in darkness is forgiveness.
II Corinthians 2:4 11.
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part:Ê that I may not overcharge you all.
Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many.
So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow.
Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.
For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things.
To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also:Ê for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ;
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:Ê for we are not ignorant of his devices.
Separating ourselves from a believer walking in darkness is the most severe penalty we are allowed to inflict on another believer.Ê God's Word is very specific about when and why we are to put this penalty into effect.Ê However, it is not a permanent penalty.Ê There comes a time when this person is to be forgiven unconditionally!Ê When are we to do this?Ê When the person in question changes direction.
II Corinthians 7:8 12.
For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent:Ê for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance:Ê for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation not to be repented of:Ê but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
For 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!Ê In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.
Here Paul is talking about godly sorrow on the part of the Corinthian church, and not particularly on the part of the man who had done the wrong; but godly sorrow would have the same effect in his life as it did in the lives of the Corinthians.
We are to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1).Ê When does God forgive?Ê Only when He feels like it?Ê Never?
I John 1:6, 9.
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth...
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Ê
When a believer walks in darkness, he is no longer in fellowship with God.Ê When he chooses to dwell in darkness, we are not to allow him to have fellowship with us, either.Ê When he confesses his broken fellowship to the Father, he is restored to fellowship with God as though he had never sinned.Ê When we see that he is no longer walking in darkness, but has turned around and is walking in the light of God's Word, then we are to forgive him, and fellowship with him as though he had never sinned.
If we want to see God's solution in a given situation, we must act in accordance with what God's Word says to do in that situation.Ê If we invent our own solutions, or walk in the light of "revelation" that clearly contradicts God's written Word, we can expect to see only confusion.
The Word of God must be our only rule for faith and prac tice.Ê If we wish to walk in fellowship with God and with Christ, we must obey God's Word not only with respect to unity, but regarding separation from darkness as well.
Carenza Ivan Maddox,
August 13, 1987