“Furthermore, if anyone does not obey what we are saying in this letter, take note of him and have nothing to do with him, so that he will be ashamed. 15 But don’t consider him an enemy; on the contrary, confront him as a brother and try to help him change.”
This is a very delicate statement for where we are as a fellowship and as a nation and as a people of faith. First question, determining what they are saying in this letter. Second question, who gets to determine that who needs to be talked to (again, framed by the context of this letter) and how we should bring this message.
How many of us enjoy being corrected? I see no hands. But how many of us truly believe we are doing everything exactly as God has asked us to? Again, no hands. It is part of the reason the apostles ask us to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together, so that we can check our headings with reasonable, Christian brothers and sisters and see if our lives match with Christ's teachings.
So, when those who are mature in the faith and have been proven to have a true sense of what God is at least about, speak to us, we should be able to listen. There have been many turning points in my life, and many who want to point out things they don't agree with; but the people who have stopped long enough to point out dangerous or unproductive parts of my life are those who have seen many faults but use their power of revelation wisely knowing that only some of what we are working through is deadly.
Be those people. Even if we get to the place where we might have to tell someone we are backing away from them for a time, it is only to get them to be ashamed of their behavior so that we can welcome them back. Never treating them as a leper, but as a brother needing our love. This whole life is about restoration. Of you, of me, of those of us who oppose even ourselves. Help us return to God the Father this day.
Pastor Brent