I have come to see over many years that true love and ministry is seldom understood even by many christians.
What do I mean by this?
Well, here is an example. In a christian gathering, lets say a home meeting, where all can share and body ministry is flowing through Christ Headship, a person in the meeting , perhaps a believer of a long standing sins, or is in sin and another brother rebukes him and warns of such sin. This is a sober moment and grave (Titus 2:2 KJV) and the one rebuking has a serious face and his eyes are very stern and serious (Acts 13:9, Mark 3:5 KJV.)
It seems that many, I mean many, in that assembly would say immediately, that this brother who is rebuking the other of sin is "unloving", "to hard" and "harsh", "not right in any way" and that that is not the ay to "ever" speak to another brother in an assembly, or to even imply doing such a thing. They would instead say that they should be "loving", and they act as if that word "loving" only means to have a soft spoken smile and soft gentle words, and fair speeches. They act as if the words we speak should be like honey and never ever rebuke another person like that.
They would possibly see Jesus whipping men out of the Temple and tipping over tables and boldly rebuking others as a shock and startled at Jesus. They may have said to him if he did such a thing today, "hey Jesus thats not the way to win friends and influence people". What would Jesus have said to them?. Or if they watched as John was baptizing people and the crowds came and the pharisees were come also and John immediately said to them, You brood of vipers, who warned you to fleee from the wrath to come?". They would be troubled greatly by such talk and see John as not in the love and right spirit. But Jesus called him the greatest prophet.
But today often, if a person rebukes the another in sin before all in the church, the entire assembly would cringes at the rebuke and look down upon the man doing so.
I believe that the response many would have to the one rebuking another of sin in the meetings is wrong. I also believe that such a rebuke can be in the love of God and gracious and the right way tho act at times. Yes, I will say that this is not always done continuously and there are various ways to deal with sin in the gatherings and with unruly and other issues and some can rebuke and not be in the spirit. And we need to not judge by outward appearance etc. But, to assume that a person who does such a thing is wrong right from the start is false.
I speak of these things because I have seen an unbalance in this area.
Lets look at a few scriptures and consider.
1 Timothy 5:20
"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."
When this kind of rebuke is done others will fear. I asked a brother today if a person rebukes someone in the meetings should there ever be a sense of fear among those who listen on in the meetings? He was perplexed and I got the impression that he believed this should never happen. If others have fear and take warning of the sin after such a rebuke, I sensed that he was saying that such a manner would be wrong in his mind. But he was not correct, and is misunderstanding true ministry and true love. Some it seems today are more concerned with everyone liking them and pleasing men that really helping them even if they are misunderstood. Paul says if we should seek to please men we should not be the servants of Christ" and he warns of men pleasers (Galatians 1:10 KJV). Some even thought Paul was their enemy for telling them the truth (Galatians 4:16 KJV)
We also see in scripture that rebuke, reproof, warning and correction is needed and publicly at times for all to fear and take heed. Paul did this at times and he wasn't afraid to speak faithfully and honestly to the church when needed. yes he wanted to come without having to do this, but in love he still did.We see this in a few examples
Galatians 2:14
"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 Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Paul was not even afraid to rebuke the godly man Peter and he did so "before them all". This was a very loving and commendable thing to do. Yet some today would be very troubled at this kind of action. But Paul was right to do so and loving in his action.
We also see Paul saying this to a church
2 Corinthians 11:12-14 KJV)
"Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Notice that they thought Paul did not love them when he did this. But he did and his actions were very loving. When we see our brothers and sister being led astray by false ministers and other sinful things among the saints we must speak up. In the OT God set watchmen on the walls and if they saw and enemy coming and did not warn the people then the peoples blood would be on the watchman hands.
Paul said similar to this
Acts 20:26-31 KJV
"Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."
But this love will often be misunderstood and sometime the believers will even love the one speaking this way less as Paul said
2 Corinthians 12:15
"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved."
Jesus himself tells us of real love and speaks a certain bold way and says
Revelation 3:17,19 KJV
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:...19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
Here we see that true love rebukes and chastens. This is what Jesus says to them because it seems they did not understand this kind of love.
The word "rebuke" here means - Greek -to confute, convict, tell a fault etc.
and the word "Chasten" here means -Greek - to train, discipline (by punishment)
and we read of How God shows his love to us as well, in fact to all of us and it is written,
Hebrews 12:6-11 KJV
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
Paul also speaks to some to "rebuke them sharply". These men were among others in home meetings and speaking all sorts of error and commandments of men, Jewish fables, and the law talk etc.
Titua 1:10-14 KJV
"10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth."
Notice that their mouths had to be stopped. This is done by sound doctrine and in the power of the Spirit to be able to exhort and convince the gainsayers. But at times they need sharp rebuke also . The words "rebuke them sharply", means to convict or tell their fault "abruptly as if to "cut" them off in the middle of their talk. We read, "their mouths must be stopped. But I can tell you from seeing this and how many receive such sharp rebuke the ones watching on will fight against it and immediately say it is unloving, no matter what love you had in your heart of what scriptures you show.
There is also another kind of love that we are warned of in scripture. This is the "harlots love" and by implication the harlot church that is everywhere. We read of such a love here
Proverbs 5:3,12-14, Prov. 7:13-17 KJV)
"For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:...And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! 14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.... 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves."
Paul also touches on this prettiness kind of talk and false words and says
Romans 16:18
"For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
True love will sometimes reprove and rebuke and warn and even sharply rebuke others. And we cannot know the hearts of all that do so. But if Gods love moves you to stand firm and true and to every have to reprove or rebuke or sharply rebuke or warn others, this is part of how love acts at times. Consider just a few more verses
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine."
Proverbs 9:8
"Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee."
Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:"
Proverbs 27:5
Open rebuke is better than secret love."
Proverbs 9:8
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Ecclesiastes 7:5
"It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Amos 5:10
"They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor himthat speaketh uprightly."
1 Timothy 1:3
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Thessalonians 5:14
"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."
2 Corinthians 13:2,10KJV
"2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:...10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction."
2 Corinthians 12:21
"And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed."
1 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. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 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, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 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. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?... do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
Notice, here that they thought they were so loving and gracious and kind by doing nothing. Yet there was a man among them that was having sexual relations with his fathers wife and this was known about. They are called puffed up. Some are like this today they seem to bend over backwards to say they love the rebellious sinners who come among them and yet they do not want them to be convicted and terrified and tremble at God's word. But God looks to those who tremble at His word.
Isaiah 66:2
"but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."
What do I mean by this?
Well, here is an example. In a christian gathering, lets say a home meeting, where all can share and body ministry is flowing through Christ Headship, a person in the meeting , perhaps a believer of a long standing sins, or is in sin and another brother rebukes him and warns of such sin. This is a sober moment and grave (Titus 2:2 KJV) and the one rebuking has a serious face and his eyes are very stern and serious (Acts 13:9, Mark 3:5 KJV.)
It seems that many, I mean many, in that assembly would say immediately, that this brother who is rebuking the other of sin is "unloving", "to hard" and "harsh", "not right in any way" and that that is not the ay to "ever" speak to another brother in an assembly, or to even imply doing such a thing. They would instead say that they should be "loving", and they act as if that word "loving" only means to have a soft spoken smile and soft gentle words, and fair speeches. They act as if the words we speak should be like honey and never ever rebuke another person like that.
They would possibly see Jesus whipping men out of the Temple and tipping over tables and boldly rebuking others as a shock and startled at Jesus. They may have said to him if he did such a thing today, "hey Jesus thats not the way to win friends and influence people". What would Jesus have said to them?. Or if they watched as John was baptizing people and the crowds came and the pharisees were come also and John immediately said to them, You brood of vipers, who warned you to fleee from the wrath to come?". They would be troubled greatly by such talk and see John as not in the love and right spirit. But Jesus called him the greatest prophet.
But today often, if a person rebukes the another in sin before all in the church, the entire assembly would cringes at the rebuke and look down upon the man doing so.
I believe that the response many would have to the one rebuking another of sin in the meetings is wrong. I also believe that such a rebuke can be in the love of God and gracious and the right way tho act at times. Yes, I will say that this is not always done continuously and there are various ways to deal with sin in the gatherings and with unruly and other issues and some can rebuke and not be in the spirit. And we need to not judge by outward appearance etc. But, to assume that a person who does such a thing is wrong right from the start is false.
I speak of these things because I have seen an unbalance in this area.
Lets look at a few scriptures and consider.
1 Timothy 5:20
"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."
When this kind of rebuke is done others will fear. I asked a brother today if a person rebukes someone in the meetings should there ever be a sense of fear among those who listen on in the meetings? He was perplexed and I got the impression that he believed this should never happen. If others have fear and take warning of the sin after such a rebuke, I sensed that he was saying that such a manner would be wrong in his mind. But he was not correct, and is misunderstanding true ministry and true love. Some it seems today are more concerned with everyone liking them and pleasing men that really helping them even if they are misunderstood. Paul says if we should seek to please men we should not be the servants of Christ" and he warns of men pleasers (Galatians 1:10 KJV). Some even thought Paul was their enemy for telling them the truth (Galatians 4:16 KJV)
We also see in scripture that rebuke, reproof, warning and correction is needed and publicly at times for all to fear and take heed. Paul did this at times and he wasn't afraid to speak faithfully and honestly to the church when needed. yes he wanted to come without having to do this, but in love he still did.We see this in a few examples
Galatians 2:14
"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 Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Paul was not even afraid to rebuke the godly man Peter and he did so "before them all". This was a very loving and commendable thing to do. Yet some today would be very troubled at this kind of action. But Paul was right to do so and loving in his action.
We also see Paul saying this to a church
2 Corinthians 11:12-14 KJV)
"Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
Notice that they thought Paul did not love them when he did this. But he did and his actions were very loving. When we see our brothers and sister being led astray by false ministers and other sinful things among the saints we must speak up. In the OT God set watchmen on the walls and if they saw and enemy coming and did not warn the people then the peoples blood would be on the watchman hands.
Paul said similar to this
Acts 20:26-31 KJV
"Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears."
But this love will often be misunderstood and sometime the believers will even love the one speaking this way less as Paul said
2 Corinthians 12:15
"And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved."
Jesus himself tells us of real love and speaks a certain bold way and says
Revelation 3:17,19 KJV
"Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:...19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent."
Here we see that true love rebukes and chastens. This is what Jesus says to them because it seems they did not understand this kind of love.
The word "rebuke" here means - Greek -to confute, convict, tell a fault etc.
and the word "Chasten" here means -Greek - to train, discipline (by punishment)
and we read of How God shows his love to us as well, in fact to all of us and it is written,
Hebrews 12:6-11 KJV
"For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby."
Paul also speaks to some to "rebuke them sharply". These men were among others in home meetings and speaking all sorts of error and commandments of men, Jewish fables, and the law talk etc.
Titua 1:10-14 KJV
"10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, the Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth."
Notice that their mouths had to be stopped. This is done by sound doctrine and in the power of the Spirit to be able to exhort and convince the gainsayers. But at times they need sharp rebuke also . The words "rebuke them sharply", means to convict or tell their fault "abruptly as if to "cut" them off in the middle of their talk. We read, "their mouths must be stopped. But I can tell you from seeing this and how many receive such sharp rebuke the ones watching on will fight against it and immediately say it is unloving, no matter what love you had in your heart of what scriptures you show.
There is also another kind of love that we are warned of in scripture. This is the "harlots love" and by implication the harlot church that is everywhere. We read of such a love here
Proverbs 5:3,12-14, Prov. 7:13-17 KJV)
"For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:...And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; 13 And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me! 14 I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.... 13 So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, 14 I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. 15 Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. 16 I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. 17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves."
Paul also touches on this prettiness kind of talk and false words and says
Romans 16:18
"For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."
True love will sometimes reprove and rebuke and warn and even sharply rebuke others. And we cannot know the hearts of all that do so. But if Gods love moves you to stand firm and true and to every have to reprove or rebuke or sharply rebuke or warn others, this is part of how love acts at times. Consider just a few more verses
2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine."
Proverbs 9:8
"Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee."
Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:"
Proverbs 27:5
Open rebuke is better than secret love."
Proverbs 9:8
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Ecclesiastes 7:5
"It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Amos 5:10
"They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor himthat speaketh uprightly."
1 Timothy 1:3
"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
1 Thessalonians 5:14
"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men."
2 Corinthians 13:2,10KJV
"2 I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare:...10 Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and not to destruction."
2 Corinthians 12:21
"And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed."
1 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. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 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, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 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. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?... do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
Notice, here that they thought they were so loving and gracious and kind by doing nothing. Yet there was a man among them that was having sexual relations with his fathers wife and this was known about. They are called puffed up. Some are like this today they seem to bend over backwards to say they love the rebellious sinners who come among them and yet they do not want them to be convicted and terrified and tremble at God's word. But God looks to those who tremble at His word.
Isaiah 66:2
"but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word."
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