Duty To Reprove Sin & Dispisers Of Reproof, Fitting counsel from Ellen G. White Options

[PeacefulBe]

New member, vanburton, posted directions to some valuable and fitting counsel for all of those of us engaging in discussion here on the 3abn Forum.

These passages are found in Testimonies Volume 3, Number 23 and Number 24 respectively. I would pray that all here - witnesses, seekers of truth, apologists and antagonists alike - pay special attention to these important words from God's Messenger.

Duty to Reprove Sin

I have been shown that God here illustrates how He regards sin among those who profess to be His commandment-keeping people. Those whom He has specially honored with witnessing the remarkable exhibitions of His power, as did ancient Israel, and who will even then venture to disregard His express directions, will be subjects of His wrath. He would teach His people that disobedience and sin are exceedingly offensive to Him and are not to be lightly regarded. He shows us that when His people are found in sin they should at once take decided measures to put that sin from them, that His frown may not rest upon them all. But if the sins of the people are passed over by those in responsible positions, His frown will be upon them, and the people of God, as a body, will be held responsible for those sins. In His dealings with His people in the past the Lord shows the necessity of purifying the church from wrongs. One sinner may diffuse darkness that will exclude the light of God from the entire congregation. When the people realize that darkness is settling upon them, and they do not know the cause, they should seek God earnestly, in great humility and self-abasement, until the wrongs which grieve His Spirit are searched out and put away. {3T 265.1}

The prejudice which has arisen against us because we have reproved the wrongs that God has shown me existed, and the cry that has been raised of harshness and severity, are unjust. God bids us speak, and we will not be silent. If wrongs are apparent among His people, and if the servants of God pass on indifferent to them, they virtually sustain and justify the sinner, and are alike guilty and will just as surely receive the displeasure of God; for they will be made responsible for the sins of the guilty. In vision I have been pointed to many instances where the displeasure of God has been incurred by a neglect on the part of His servants to deal with the wrongs and sins existing among them. Those who have excused these wrongs have been thought by the people to be very amiable and lovely in disposition, simply because they shunned to discharge a plain Scriptural duty. The task was not agreeable to their feelings; therefore they avoided it. {3T 265.2}

The spirit of hatred which has existed with some because the wrongs among God's people have been reproved has brought blindness and a fearful deception upon their own souls, making it impossible for them to discriminate between right and wrong. They have put out their own spiritual eyesight. They may witness wrongs, but they do not feel as did Joshua and humble themselves because the danger of souls is felt by them. {3T 266.1}

The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God's professed people. This is forcibly set forth by the prophet's illustration of the last work under the figure of the men each having a slaughter weapon in his hand. One man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. "And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof." {3T 266.2}

Who are standing in the counsel of God at this time? Is it those who virtually excuse wrongs among the professed people of God and who murmur in their hearts, if not openly, against those who would reprove sin? Is it those who take their stand against them and sympathize with those who commit wrong? No, indeed! Unless they repent, and leave the work of Satan in oppressing those who have the burden of the work and in holding up the hands of sinners in Zion, they will never receive the mark of God's sealing approval. They will fall in the general destruction of the wicked, represented by the work of the five men bearing slaughter weapons. Mark this point with care: Those who receive the pure mark of truth, wrought in them by the power of the Holy Ghost, represented by a mark by the man in linen, are those "that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done" in the church. Their love for purity and the honor and glory of God is such, and they have so clear a view of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, that they are represented as being in agony, even sighing and crying. Read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. {3T 267.1}

But the general slaughter of all those who do not thus see the wide contrast between sin and righteousness, and do not feel as those do who stand in the counsel of God and receive the mark, is described in the order to the five men with slaughter weapons: "Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at My sanctuary." {3T 267.2}

Despisers of Reproof

The apostle Paul plainly states that the experience of the Israelites in their travels has been recorded for the benefit of those living in this age of the world, those upon whom the ends of the world are come. We do not consider that our dangers are any less than those of the Hebrews, but greater. There will be temptations to jealousies and murmurings, and there will be outspoken rebellion, as are recorded of ancient Israel. There will ever be a spirit to rise up against the reproof of sins and wrongs. But shall the voice of reproof be hushed because of this? If so, we shall be in no better situation than are the various denominations in our land who are afraid to touch the errors and prevailing sins of the people. {3T 358.2}

Those whom God has set apart as ministers of righteousness have solemn responsibilities laid upon them to reprove the sins of the people. Paul commanded Titus: "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee." There are ever those who will despise the one who dares to reprove sin; but there are times when reproof must be given. Paul directs Titus to rebuke a certain class sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. Men and women who, with their different organizations, are brought together in church capacity have peculiarities and faults. As these are developed, they will require reproof. If those who are placed in important positions never reproved, never rebuked, there would soon be a demoralized condition of things that would greatly dishonor God. But how shall the reproof be given? Let the apostle answer: "With all long-suffering and doctrine." Principle should be brought to bear upon the one who needs reproof, but never should the wrongs of God's people be passed by indifferently. {3T 358.3}

There will be men and women who despise reproof and whose feelings will ever rise up against it. It is not pleasant to be told of our wrongs. In almost every case where reproof is necessary, there will be some who entirely overlook the fact that the Spirit of the Lord has been grieved and His cause reproached. These will pity those who deserved reproof, because personal feelings have been hurt. All this unsanctified sympathy places the sympathizers where they are sharers in the guilt of the one reproved. In nine cases out of ten if the one reproved had been left under a sense of his wrongs, he might have been helped to see them and thereby have been reformed. But meddlesome, unsanctified sympathizers place altogether a wrong construction upon the motives of the reprover and the nature of the reproof given, and by sympathizing with the one reproved lead him to feel that he has been really abused; and his feelings rise up in rebellion against the one who has only done his duty. Those who faithfully discharge their unpleasant duties under a sense of their accountability to God will receive His blessing. God requires His servants to be always in earnest to do His will. In the apostle's charge to Timothy he exhorts him to "preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine." {3T 359.1}

The Hebrews were not willing to submit to the directions and restrictions of the Lord. They simply wanted their own way, to follow the leadings of their own mind, and be controlled by their own judgment. Could they have been left free to do this, no complaints would have been made of Moses; but they were restless under restraint. {3T 360.1}
God would have His people disciplined and brought into harmony of action, that they may see eye to eye and be of the same mind and of the same judgment. In order to bring about this state of things, there is much to be done. The carnal heart must be subdued and transformed. God designs that there shall ever be a living testimony in the church. It will be necessary to reprove and exhort, and some will need to be rebuked sharply, as the case demands. We hear the plea: "Oh, I am so sensitive, I cannot bear the least reflection!" If these persons would state the case correctly, they would say: "I am so self-willed, so self-sufficient, so proud-spirited, that I will not be dictated to; I will not be reproved. I claim the right of individual judgment; I have a right to believe and talk as I please." The Lord would not have us yield up our individuality. But what man is a proper judge of how far this matter of individual independence should be carried? {3T 360.2}

Peter exhorts his brethren: "Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble." The apostle Paul also exhorts his Philippian brethren to unity and humility: "If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Again Paul exhorts his brethren: "Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another." In writing to the Ephesians he says: "Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." {3T 360.3}

The history of the Israelites presents before us the great danger of deception. Many do not have a sense of the sinfulness of their own natures nor of the grace of forgiveness. They are in nature's darkness, subject to temptations and to great deception. They are far from God; yet they take great satisfaction in their lives, when their conduct is abhorred of God. This class will ever be at war with the leadings of the Spirit of God, especially with reproof. They do not wish to be disturbed. Occasionally they have selfish fears and good purposes, and sometimes anxious thoughts and convictions; but they have not a depth of experience, because they are not riveted to the eternal Rock. This class never see the necessity of the plain testimony. Sin does not appear so exceedingly sinful to them for the very reason that they are not walking in the light as Christ is in the light. {3T 361.1}

There is still another class who have had great light and special conviction, and a genuine experience in the workings of the Spirit of God; but the manifold temptations of Satan have overcome them. They do not appreciate the light that God has given them. They do not heed the warnings and reproofs from the Spirit of God. They are under condemnation. These will ever be at variance with the straight testimony because it condemns them. {3T 361.2}

God designs that His people shall be a unit, that they shall see eye to eye and be of the same mind and of the same judgment. This cannot be accomplished without a clear, pointed, living testimony in the church. The prayer of Christ was that His disciples might be one as He was one with His Father. "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us: that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me. And the glory which Thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me."{3T 361.3}

[roxe]

i see you found them, PB!!

reading them i can see how BSDA is fulfilling the third step of Matt. 18.

those reading the pinned threads will find out that steps 1 and 2 have already been done. many individuals have gone to Danny and expressed their concerns... but no changes have occured. they have even gone in groups to Danny... but no changes have occured.

Now, BSDA, Maritime, Gailon's site and others are doing the 3rd step of taking it to the church... anyone with internet access can read all about it.

however, from the program the other night, it appears that defensive positions have been taken and possibly will not be abandoned.

i sincerely pray that those changes will occur... before the 4th step happens...

may those coming in here with guns ablazing... please read the above EGW and realize that we aren't gossiping, or holding court here, or being critical, or taking sides, or judging... we are simply doing our 3rd step duty of Matt 18... and praying that the 4th step can be avoided.

This post has been edited by roxe: Jan 22 2007, 10:15 PM

[sonshineonme]

i see you found them, PB!!

reading them i can see how BSDA is fulfilling the third step of Matt. 18.

those reading the pinned threads will find out that steps 1 and 2 have already been done. many individuals have gone to Danny and expressed their concerns... but no changes have occured. they have even gone in groups to Danny... but no changes have occured.

Now, BSDA and Gailon's site are doing the 3rd step of taking it to the church. anyone with internet access can read all about it.

however, from the program the other night, it appears that defensive positions have been taken and possibly will not be abandoned.

i sincerely pray that those changes will occur... before the 4th step happens...

may those coming in here with guns ablazing... please read the above and realize that we aren't gossiping, or holding court here, or being critical, or taking sides... we are simply doing our duty according to the above... and praying that the 4th step can be avoided.

Yes, I too read these and was encouraged by them for many reasons. I feel so blessed to be part of BSDA, and am warmed inside by those coming every day to read, search and discover what is happening here, posted here and that shows why it is important that it is here. I appreciate many of the posts made at this site - to me it gives a taste of what all of us as victims in one way or another of this mess, go through and work through in dealing with sin, in all it's forms, especially when it is close to home. I think those posts serve to help others too - many times we are feeling something and someone else says it in a way that touches those feelings. This is not a pretty situation. God is not nearly done with any of it, or with any of us. We can all learn something, and I hope it only Glorifies our Lord.

[Observer]

I am greatly encouraged by another aspect of this that no one else has mentioned.

We are a group of diverse individuals. We come from different backgrounds. We have different personalities. We have different perceptions of some events. We disagree among ourselves on some aspects of issues, focus, and how we should proceed. Yet, we have not become divided over these differences. We are united on a central focus, and we are working together to achieve that goal, and we do not concern ourselves with relatively minor differences of opinion that exist between us.

I will suggest that what we are doing here might serve as a model for the denomination at large. It has been described as a church that is divided into five or more groups of people. It is seen by some as divided, and potentially in danger of spliting into differing groups, although some would say that has already happened.

Folks, we are showing that people can cooperate to achieve a common goal, and not get divided by our humanity and the reality that we do not see everything exactly the same!

:-) :-) :-)

[sonshineonme]

I am greatly encouraged by another aspect of this that no one else has mentioned.

We are a group of diverse individuals. We come from different backgrounds. We have different personalities. We have different perceptions of some events. We disagree among ourselves on some aspects of issues, focus, and how we should proceed. Yet, we have not become divided over these differences. We are united on a central focus, and we are working together to achieve that goal, and we do not concern ourselves with relatively minor differences of opinion that exist between us.

I will suggest that what we are doing here might serve as a model for the denomination at large. It has been described as a church that is divided into five or more groups of people. It is seen by some as divided, and potentially in danger of spliting into differing groups, although some would say that has already happened.

Folks, we are showing that people can cooperate to achieve a common goal, and not get divided by our humanity and the reality that we do not see everything exactly the same!

:-) :-) :-)

Excellent observation Observer! I agree with you!

[Daryl Fawcett]

Don't forget that Maritime SDA OnLine (MSDAOL) is also deeply involved in this.

[Observer]

Don't forget that Maritime SDA OnLine (MSDAOL) is also deeply involved in this.

Daryl:

My comments were directed to the entire group of people who are united in this. Of that group, BSDA is a part. MSDAOL is a part. There are other parts. None by themselves are the whole pie, so to speak. But, it is together that they are united and working with each other.

[roxe]

Don't forget that Maritime SDA OnLine (MSDAOL) is also deeply involved in this.

Daryl,

thanks for the reminder... i've edited my post above to include your forum as part of the 3rd step of Matt. 18.