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Personal Dealings
If we would wisely reprove the flesh in our brethren, we must first, after the Lord's example, remember and commend the grace in them.
Those who are much acquainted with the cross of Christ, and with their own hearts, will be slow to take the reprover’s office: if they do reprove, they will make it a solemn matter, knowing how much evil comes of the unwise handling of a fault.
Let us begin by searching ourselves, if we would be profitable reprover’s of others.
Much self-judgment makes a man slow to judge others; and the very gentleness of such an one gives a keen edge to his rebukes.
In reproving sin in others, we should remember the ways of the Holy Spirit of God towards us. He comes as the Spirit of Love; and whatever His rebukes, He wins the heart by mercy and forgiveness through Christ.
To forgive without upbraiding even by manner or look, is a high exercise of grace―it is imitation of Christ.
If I have been injured by another, let me think to myself―how much better to be the sufferer than the wrongdoer!
The flesh would punish to prevent a repetition of wrongs; but Grace teaches us to defend ourselves without weapons. The man who "seventy times seven" forgives injuries, is he who best knows how to protect himself.
If one does me a wrong, let me with the compassion of Christ seek after him, and entreat God to move him to repentance.
If our tongue has been betrayed into speaking contemptuously or even slightingly of an absent brother, let us quickly say, “Alas! We have wounded Christ.”
If in love I speak to a brother of his fault, it is because I hate the sin. If I speak of it with backbiting tongue, it is self-pleasing that moves me.
If under the law, when the bond was only in the flesh, the Israelite must not suffer sin upon his brother (Leviticus 19:17); how much less should it be suffered under the Gospel, which binds the saints together spiritually and eternally!
The figure of the mote in the eye shows what skill and tenderness he has need of who would be a reprover to his brother. Who would trust so precious a member as the eye to a rough, unskillful hand?
The Lord loves to manifest peculiar tenderness towards those who have been brought low, even though it may have been through their own folly. "Go tell His disciples, and Peter." Mark 16:7. "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32
Church Dealings and Discipline
The discipline exercised by an assembly of God should be a picture of our heavenly Father's character.
A sober mind, a tender heart, a watchful spirit, should mark those who put away the evil doer.
All God's corrections and judgments are designed to bring repentance. So likewise any censure pronounced by an assembly of saints, while manifestly righteous, should be as a medicine to restore, that the spirit may be saved in the day of Christ. (1 Corinthians 5:5).
In how many instances, alas! Where sharp or bitter reproof is given, heavenly wisdom would deal in tender-hearted counsel and admonition.
Let us imitate our Lord in His pity toward those who have erred from His way; thus we best discountenance their sins and help them to make the confession that obtains forgiveness from God.
The love of Christ filling our hearts, we shall be keen-sighted to discern, whether in ourselves or others, whatsoever pleases not the Lord. This love, and this love only, will enable us to maintain the order and discipline of the house of God, so as to be approved by the Son of God, the Lord of His own house. We shall thereby, while observing the laws of Christ as to offending brethren, be raised above the fear of man that bringeth a snare; and, what is higher still, be free of false love, which spares the rod when God would have us smite.
“Let the righteous smite me, it shall be a kindness.” Psalm 141:5.
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” Proverbs 27:6.
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:6.