Correspondence

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
6. “W. G., Redcar.” In the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy, “cutting off” was the most solemn act of governmental discipline; and in some cases, involved the death of the body, as in Num. 15:30-3530But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the Lord; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31Because he hath despised the word of the Lord, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. 32And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. 33And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. 34And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. 35And the Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. (Numbers 15:30‑35). And we know that in this day of surpassing grace there is a sin that is unto death. (1 John 5:16, 1716If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. 17All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. (1 John 5:16‑17).) That is the death of the body. This cannot, however, affect for a moment the question of eternal life, or the believer being forever perfected by the one offering of Christ.
The expression “cut off” is very frequently used in the Old Testament, in the sense of expelling from the congregation. It is never used in the New Testament in the sense of cutting off from the body of Christ, or from the assembly, or of one assembly cutting off another assembly. It is a most solemn act, and demands our most prayerful consideration at this time. Three times it is used in the sense of a person judging himself, Matt. 5:3030And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:30), Mark 9:4545And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: (Mark 9:45), and Gal. 5:1212I would they were even cut off which trouble you. (Galatians 5:12), correctly translated, that they would cut themselves off. Once, that apostate Christendom rejecting the goodness of God shall be cut off (Rom. 11:2222Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Romans 11:22)); once, as the act of Peter (Mark 14:4747And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. (Mark 14:47)); and once as to Paul’s walk. (2 Cor. 11:1212But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. (2 Corinthians 11:12).) We are not aware of a single instance in which it is used as we frequently hear it in this day.
The scriptural instruction is however very plain, if we really desire to be guided by it. If there is found to be a manifestly wicked person in any gathering of a few believers to Christ, what is to be done? Go on with him, when all efforts to restore him fail? No; “Put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” (1 Cor. 5:1-131It 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. 2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3For 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, 4In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5To 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. 6Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Corinthians 5:1‑13).)
And if, as is sadly too common, and ever has been, a person holds and deliberately publishes false doctrine, or by speaking perverse things gathers a party to himself, what is to be done? After the second admonition have done with him. (Titus 3:1010A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; (Titus 3:10).) Receive not such an one even into your house. (2 John 1:10, 1110If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (2 John 10‑11)) But in the declension and evil and falsehood of the last days, must the believer do, who really desires to please the Lord? Let him read 2 Tim. 2:19-2419Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. 21If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 22Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (2 Timothy 2:19‑24). And may the Lord give him, and all such, grace to walk according to His word. It is clear if we do walk according to this scripture, we can have no fellowship with any who deny the finished work of Christ on the cross. But holy separation, purging from evil, is a very different thing from “cutting off.”