Privacy is not an Option for the Believer

I have had believers tell me that their Christianity is a personal thing, that we should not correct others, God will do that.

The devil loves this! The Bible is replete with Scriptures that tell us to love our brothers and the way to do that, of which is to correct, rebuke, exhort and admonish in all longsuffering.

Why would God say "in all longsuffering"? Perhaps it is because there will be much correction and many people do not like correction, and even their friends will not accept those who correct others.

Two of my previous posts explain what real love looks like and it is nothing like all the things we have been taught in public school and even in most churches now.

No where in the Word does God say that our Christian walk is a personal thing. God makes us a family when we become born again and we should be deeply involved with and caring about the lives of our brothers and sisters.

I realize that is very hard these days because there are so few in the church who understand this and love to keep their lives private.

1 John 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."

Seek God's Word for His kind of love!

God's Kind of Love

Thessalonians 4:1-12

"For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain."

"6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you— 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord."

"9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, 10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?"

"11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you. 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, 13 so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

1 John 5:2

"2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments."

Acts 20:28

"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."

Titus 3:10-11

"10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."

2 Thessalonians 3:15

"15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother."

2 Timothy 4:2

"2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine."

1 Timothy 5:20

"20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear."

Romans 16:17

"17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them."

James 5:20

"20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul[a] from death and cover a multitude of sins."

All our attempts at sparing the feelings of those who live in sin, has caused the apostasy that dwells in the organized church today. The most damaging mantra that has taken hold in the church is; "just love them." As though; if we show enough friendliness the person will like us and Jesus Christ too. This couldn't be farther from the truth.

Many people are hurting because they have not sought God for His ways and truth. When we do not speak the truth boldly, these people are left to feel comfortable in their sin.

Hebrews 4:12

"12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

We are not called to spare someone's feelings, we are called to tell the truth, loving God and His truth more than we love to be loved.

The modern church flatters people to gain the advantage over them, hoping the flattery will make them do what is right, but the opposite is the result, more sin and guilt relieved.

Do not seek to avoid bad feelings, seek to honor God through the spreading of His truth. The feelings are an indication that there is guilt, let the guilt do it's work, then is when we can reach someone with truth.

Sloppy Christianity

There are so many people who have been brain washed into the sloppy modern Christianity that they think they would be mean to someone for chastising them.

The devil has managed to convince the church to adhere to principles opposite of what God said, mostly because they avoid those "hard" scriptures" that place us at risk of emotional persecution.

God calls us to keep believers in line, through the truth of His Word for the good of the whole body and for the good of the person who sins.

James 5:20
"20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul[a] from death and cover a multitude of sins."

Hebrews 4:12
"12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

1 Corinthians 5:6
"6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?"

We can see what flippancy has done to the church, it has caused the entire lump to become leavened.

The church in America used to discipline the sinning brother and more of society acted properly, even those who were not born again, knew right from wrong.

Now, the church doesn't know right from wrong and will persecute those who attempt to bring back the principles of Christ that foster holiness in the body.

Many believers do and say the opposite of what God says. They have been so greatly impacted by the world that they no longer understand God's standards. And, they do not read their Bibles or ask the Holy Spirit for understanding, so they remain ignorant of God's principles and mandates.

The church needs to repent before they can properly impact the world for Christ.

Luke 11:22-30
"22 But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils."

"23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth."

"24 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest; and finding none, he saith, I will return unto my house whence I came out."

"25 And when he cometh, he findeth it swept and garnished."

"26 Then goeth he, and taketh to him seven other spirits more wicked than himself; and they enter in, and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

"27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked."

"28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it."

"29 And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet."

"30 For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation"

Let's stop saying things like "I think" and begin saying "What does God say?"