Understand what the Word says!

Yesterday at work I met a lady who was terribly bitter at everything. And I thought to myself, what could it be that is bothering this woman so much that she reverts to reviling words towards everyone. Well turns out that I was blessed with the opportunity to find out because this woman was my conductor on the train I was on. We had the opportunity to share the Word of God, however we didn't see quite eye to eye on everything. She was raised up in a Baptist church, and I wasn't.

Now as we talked I found out that she has filed for a divorce for reasons other than adultery. Her husband was the drummer for the band at the church they have been members of for the last ten years. When the church found out from him that she had been the one who filed for the divorce, they withdrew all communication with her. Even her best friend for the last ten years which is the ministers daughter hasn't spoke to her since they found out. No one ever approached her from the congregation, not an elder, not the minister, not even her mom and dad called to warn her. No one offered to hear her reasons or even called to offer their prayers. It turns out the only ones who actually reached out to her and was there to comfort her were her friends who are homosexual.

This is a prime example of how costly not fully understanding what the Bible says can be. What the church did in this case wasn't all wrong, however the church did not complete the process which the Bible tells us to follow. Open your Bible to 2 Thessalonians 3:5-7 and we'll start here. In the NIV it says "May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you," now skip down to verse 13-14. It says, " And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right. If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed." The church did an excellent job of withdrawing here, however they must have grown weary of doing what was right, because they stopped right here. In doing so the church missed the most important part which is in verse 15, " Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother." The NLT says "Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister."

As a result of not reading far enough in to the text, one of the Shepard's sheep has stayed, and no one from the flock is interested in saving it. In the NKJV Matthew 18:12-14 says, "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." These are the words of Jesus, and that means it trumps all. It is so crucial to understand what you are being preached. This lady told me that if one person from the church would have called her up and offered to pray for her it would have made a difference. This never took place, and as a result wolves (sinners) rushed in and are pulling her away from God's love which should be coming from the Body of Christ. I did my best to turn her back toward God but through the teachings she has been raised up to believe that someone who goes to the church I go to is a false prophet, and won't listen to me even if you point out and show them scriptures. This is a tragedy, and my heart is so broken for these people.
I ask that you keep this woman in you prayers, and specifically pray that the Lord may manifest His plan for her also that He may cross someone in to her path that may turn her back to Christ. These things are going on every day and truly is a tragedy if these sheep are not turned back to the flock. Be observant for these people and be soldiers for Christ. Let's bring glory to God by leading these sheep back. Sometimes the best way to do that is to listen to the broken hearted. Be led by Him!

In Christ,

Eric R. Cox

Scripture to meditate on: NLT Matthew 18:15-20

15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.

19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”