I have read a lot of Bible verses mentioning that we should rebuke a brother who sins. For example
1 Timothy 5:20
As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear.
Luke 17:3
Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,
Are these verses referring to a brother as one who is already saved within a church or is this a general term to all including those outside the church.
If these verses are only referring to those within the church and already saved what about those outside the church who are not save.
I have heard people say that we need to be loving and win sinners over with examples of love. BUt doesnt the Bible also mention that sinners need to be warned of the coming judgemnet. I think that some can become too liberal and think that we only have to show love and that confronting sin is being cruel and now showing compassion. But what about the saying you need to be cruel to be kind in the right measure. Jesus is about truth, shining the light in the darkness and exposing sin and sinful ways of living. By rebuking a sinner we may perhaps save them.
The scriptures you cite refer to believers.
As christians, we follow the teachings of Christ. And the only persons I can recall Jesus harshly rebuking were the hypocritical Jewish religious leaders.
Also, Jesus mildly rebuked His own disciples from time to time (i.e. for lack of faith, etc.).
However ...
Jesus did not rebuke the sinner woman who came to bathe His feet in her tears.
Jesus did not rebuke the woman at the well ... who had had five husbands.
Jesus did not rebuke and judge the woman who had been caught in adultery. Jesus did not rebuke Matthew/Levi the tax collector, or Zachaeus, who admitted to cheating the people.
The job of informing sinners of their universal sin ... is accomplished through the proclamation of the Law by the prophets. Jesus fulfilled that task by exposing the unreachably high standards of the Law ... in His own teaching in Galilee.
He starts out with the teachings of the Beatitudes ...
Matthew 5
“Blessed are the
poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are
those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are
the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are
those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are
the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the
pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are
the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
He goes from there to explaining that the heart can sin, ... though there be no outward expression ...
Matthew 5:21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that
anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment."
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that
anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you,
do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you,
love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
In Matthew 7,
Jesus teaches us not to judge ... unless you already have all of your ducks in order ...
Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
In John 18, Jesus does give us a guide for approaching a christian brother or sisters regarding sin or offense ...
John 18
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault,
just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.