Quote:
Originally Posted by Drake
If a brother is offended he should do everything possible to be reconciled with his brother on the way, before death takes one and no reconciliation is possible in this age. If attempts are made then it is on the one who rejects ... then the offended brother can leave it in the Lords righteous and capable hand. Expressing discontent against another brother day in and day out on a forum like this is not leaving it in the Lords righteous and capable hands.
The other brother may be wrong but now you are too.
Drake
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Not so. In fact, the Lord left it in the hands of THE CHURCH. This forum clearly appeals to the church and in fact IS the church.
Matt. 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.
Did Lee hear the brothers? Did he hear the church? There is no expiration date to "tell it to the church".
Rather,
1 Timothy 5:19-22
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.
20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.
21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins:
keep thyself pure.
When a sinning brother refuse to hear the church, your responsibility for reconciliation is over. A heathen or publican needs the gospel. However, the church's responsibility to "hear" did not end. The church should remain in fear of this sinning brother.
Additionally:
1 Corinthians 5:1-5
1 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.