Morning Moments

1 Timothy 5:20 (KJV)
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.

Fear is a strong deterrent, and regardless of how we try to get around it by substituting words like "reverence", the word means "(to be put in fear); alarm or fright :- be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror."

Even a stern rebuke is to be done with doctrine (the Word of God) and longsuffering (the fruit of the Spirit) considering ourselves also lest we be tempted.

Let's get specific about the matter. Suppose an elder has broken the law of the land. His action becomes bigger than the body (local church). He must face the consequences of his action before a court of law - publicly. If he has violated the law of God, but not the law of the land, he is to suffer the consequences of being brought before the body, the church, and the church is to "bind on earth" what has been "bound in heaven", and "loose on earth" what has been "loosed in heaven".

In other words, we must deal with the wrongdoing of this elder according to God's Word. If it means being set aside for a time, so be it, but the judgment must of necessity be impartial and non-biased. It is too easy for emotions to get out of control one way or the other. When that happens, permanent damage is done both inside and outside the church.

We are to maintain a ministry of reconciliation and restoration, even when drastic measure must be taken to remove a man from his position as elder. If repentance is demanded of the pastor, it should also be for the congregation. Two wrongs don't make a right. The rebuke in our text is for them that sin morally or doctrinally; that violate the law of God, not tradition or trend. Sometimes accusations will be made by someone who rejected conviction about something, go mad with the preacher, gathered a following and seek to "force" him out by stirring emotions.

In all this, we must maintain a healthy "fear" of God and the consequence of doing the wrong thing. Proof must be positive and inference and innuendo ignored. Things must be done WITH the BOOK and BY the BOOK. Otherwise leave it alone.

BLESSINGS!