Page 15 - September 2025 - Truth & Tidings

other than sin, no matter how irritating apostle Peter erred, Paul said, “I withstood
a grievance, annoyance or disagreement him to the face” (Gal 2:11).
might be, should be treated “with long- Even interpersonally, Scripture tells us
suffering, forbearing one another in love” both to “love one another” (1Jo 3:11) and
(Eph 4:2). to “admonish one another” (Rom 15:14).
The demand to confront sin is so im- Again, these are not either/or options. If
perative that if the sinning brother will we love, we will admonish. That means
not repent, the matter is then dealt with that in dealing with a brother who has
by an official confrontation with two or sinned, we need to “count him not as an
three witnesses (Mat 18:16). If that does enemy, but admonish him as a brother”
not produce resolution, confrontation is (2Th 3:15). And, in carrying this out, we
then carried out by the church (v17). need to be “speaking the truth in love”
But what about forgiveness? The Lord (Eph 4:15).
Jesus proceeded to teach (vv16-35) about Clearly, truth and love are comple-
forgiving “seventy times seven” (v22). But ments, and their harmony can be seen in
He was not asking us to choose between the way the Lord Jesus dealt with Peter.
facing and forgiving. Instead, while we The Savior confronted him by saying,
must confront sin, we also must prepare “Thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest
forgiveness in our hearts to be received me” (Luk 22:34). And yet, He provided
upon repentance. Thus, when it comes balance with love when He said, “I have
to what irritates us, we must graciously prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not”
forebear. When it comes to sin, we must (v32).
lovingly confront. In every biblical confrontation, the
Therefore, both facing and forgiving are balance of love and truth is present. In
required. When it came to immorality in confronting another’s sin, the goal is to
Corinth, Paul said, “Remove the wicked have “gained thy brother” (Mat 18:15).
person from amongst yourselves” (1Co An assembly deals with a brother´s im-
5:13 JND). Likewise, when men developed morality so “that the spirit may be saved
wrong doctrine, Paul “delivered [them] in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1Co 5:5). The
unto Satan” (1Ti 1:20). In the Bible, sin re- objective in confronting a man walking
quires a serious response. Thus, Paul told disorderly is “that he may be ashamed”
the Thessalonians, “We command you, (2Th 3:14), moving toward repentance.
brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Likewise, Paul balanced confronting sin
Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from by saying, “If a man be overtaken in a
every brother that walketh disorderly” fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such
(2Th 3:6). Later he added, “If any man an one” (Gal 6:1).
obey not our word by this epistle, note So, may God help us to avoid being
that man, and have no company with him” Corinthian (tolerant) or Colossian (harsh).
(v14). In 2 Timothy, Paul warned of errant Instead, may we have the courage of
teachers with these words, “From such Christ to confront and the compassion of
turn away” (2Ti 3:5). Even with elders, Christ to care. When that pathway is dis-
Paul commands, “Them that sin rebuke cerned and walked, we will be “ye which
before all” (1Ti 5:20). Would you be willing are spiritual.” As such, we will honor God
to do this? Paul did. Even when the great and bless others.

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