That Christians benefit and
serve one another by exposing error, faults and sin are considered, today.
Comfort and encouragement are provided by the Gospel through assurances that
correction and divine forgiveness are available along with change (e.g., growth,
learning, rebirth), newness of life, right relationship with divinity, spiritual
power, and sacred wisdom. Awareness and self-will in created beings and living
creatures may become dominated by sin. Because sin does not immediately appear
as contrary to ones own character and makeup, many do not detect the operations
of sin as destructive, foreign and out of place. Sin works as though concealed,
invisible and hidden. As spokespersons for Christ, believers are to prophesy
sharing what is called exhortation. To avoid, resist and escape the
snares of sin, there must be awareness of error, commitment characterized by
humility and meekness as well as determined repentance. Consider again the
following council from Scripture, and the points shared below: Hebrews 3:
12-13, King James Version (KJV): 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any
of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But
exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened
through the deceitfulness of sin. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID
“X” (Level 3 with 1,021 points, a member since February 21, 2013) posted the
following:
Christians: what does the Bible say about
pointing out other people's bad deeds?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For our
exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But
as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak;
not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time
used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God
is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor
yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of
Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto
you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear
unto us. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring
night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached
unto you the gospel of God. Ye are witnesses, and God also,
how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that
believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you,
as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who
hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. For this cause also thank we God
without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us,
ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (1st
Thessalonians 2: 3-13, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: We Judge
Each Other? (10/04/2015); Making Sin Appear as Sinful? (06/07/2015); Judge Thy
Neighbor? (02/15/2015); Living In The Light? (01/08/2015); Cruel and Offensive
(07/24/2014)
“X”, our present day culture is quick to deny that
there is any such thing as accountability or sin; and many are insulted and take
offense when others offer to share correction. Yet, just as divine law has been
given to make sin visible that otherwise would be hidden and unknown to created
beings and living creatures, fellowship and personal bonds with those having
spirit content from divinity to expose sin also have been provided through the
ministry of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the process for acknowledgement,
forgiveness, and restoration of trust is intimate and personal. Believers are
not to see the law as a rigid, unfeeling tool that only destroys or imposes
condemnation, despair, gloom, and misery. Similarly, the sacred practices of
confession, penitence, and repentance are not to be rejected as though
malicious interference, intrusion, and oppression. As with the admonitions,
cautions, criticisms, and warnings from our parents as we are growing in the
home, the counsels and rebukes of clergy, fellow laborers in the Gospel, and
those who are our companions in new life through Jesus Christ are to be
understood as intended for our benefit, and necessary expressions of love from
our Savior. Believers are to serve one another speaking the truth in humility
about their own and each other’s errors, faults, and shortcomings as well as
about our sins committed in ignorance. Consider again the following:
(1.) James 5: 16, King James Version (KJV): 16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much.
(2.) James 5: 19-20, KJV: Brethren, if any of
you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which
converted the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and
shall hide a multitude of sins.
(3.) 2nd Corinthians 1: 3-7, KJV: 3 Blessed
be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all our
tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by
the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 5 For as the
sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and
salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we
also suffer; or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and
salvation. 7 And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are
partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the
consolation.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied,
and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Hebrews 12: 3-8, KJV: 3 For
consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye
be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood,
striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh
unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,
nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 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.) Even so, I trust this fragment
will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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