Rebellion

How Shall This Issue Be Handled?

Matthew 18:15-17

 15.  Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
 16.  But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
 17.  And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

In Short,

First, if someone in the body of Christ hurts you, offends you, etc., go to that individual and let them know.  Don't go gossiping to everyone else about what you can't believe they did to you and they're suppose to be a Christian!  No, go to that person alone and inform them of their offense.

Secondly, if they will not hear you - listen to you - not ask forgiveness - recognize their wrong doing - then go grab two or more people who are sound in the word and are of good character and integrity.  These other people will do a few of things.

(1) Judge the situation according to the word of God

(2) Try to win a brother

(3) Witness and handle the situation the way the word of God prescribed - (Deuteronomy 19:15)

{One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established}

Thirdly, if this individual refuses to hear - reject the judgment of the two or more,  then take the situation to the church.  If this person will not hear the Pastor or his/her staff, the word of God says that he or she is then to be seen as or considered as a heathen man and a publican.  In other words, that individual is to be seen as an outsider and a sinner.

Next verse says " 18.  Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Funny how this verse follows the preceding ... What's the connection?  That individual can literally be bound/cut off from that congregation AND God gives the Pastor permission to do so.  God says, if you bind it (after having gone through this rigorous process), heaven will back you up!

WOW!!!!

Remember Samuel's words to Saul - "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king."

Saul lost the kingdom and was permanently cut off because of his rebellion to the truth.  In the sight of God, rebellion is synonymous with "witchcraft". Furthermore, someone who won't change is stubborn. In the sight of God, stubbornness is synonymous with "idolatry".  Keep in mind that people like this God can't use.   Therefore Saul was REJECTED of God!  Samuel the Prophet told him but God backed it up because how to handle this type of situation had already been established in the heaven.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves.  (James 1:22)

AGAPE,

Rickey E. Macklin

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