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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
"Shunning"
I remember reading a story in which a religious group practiced “shunning.” One of their members had sinned, and they followed the doctrines of their church by shunning—or refusing to talk to or associate with that person. This practice was portrayed as harsh and hateful. Is there any biblical authority for such a practice?
The Bible does teach that discipline is to be practiced when a Christian rebels against God’s Word. But the Bible does not authorize “shunning”—not as it is practiced by some religious people. Note the following scriptures that outline our obligations in this matter:
- “We exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly,”
- “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly…And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother,”
2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14-15
- “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...Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person,”
If you read these passages in their entire context you will notice that the souls of those “disorderly” [originally a military term meaning to “refuse to stand in the ranks; to deviate from accepted behavior”] were in serious danger because of their sinful behavior. Those who loved them were to warn them, and if necessary, discipline them in order to bring them back to their rightful place.
Unfortunately, what usually takes place is merely a second cousin to “shunning.” Too often we ignore their unrighteous living, their neglect and their absence from the assembly. Some seem to believe that by leaving them alone everything will turn out all right. In other words, we practice “shunning” while preaching discipline.
Consider these reasons why Christians must practice, not “shunning,” but biblical discipline.
- God has commanded us to practice loving, biblical discipline. This should be reason enough for us to do so. We love God, are grateful for His gift of salvation, and we want to “keep his commandments,” 1 John 5:2-3.
- To salvage the eternal soul of the one in need of discipline—the disorderly person. Just as God chastens those whom He loves, we have the obligation to do all we can to bring the weakened Christian back to faithful living, thereby saving their souls [see Hebrews 12:5-17]. This is the highest expression of the biblical command that we “love one another” [see John 13:34-35, 1Peter 1:22, Romans 13:8].
- To preserve the virtue, the honor of Christ’s bride, the church [See Ephesians 5:22-32, 2 Corinthians 11:2]. Hypocrisy is one of the most despised vices in human behavior, and to see a congregation of God’s people preach a lifestyle they are unwilling to practice is pure hypocrisy. When one member of Christ’s church becomes known for sinful behavior, but no correction is attempted, the whole church is charged with giving their approval to it. All men, including our neighbors, need to know that hypocrisy—or any other form of ungodly behavior—will not be condoned by any of us. Paul confronted this in 1 Corinthian 5:6 when he wrote: “Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”
We practice biblical discipline, not because we hate those in need of it, but because we love them, and because we are fully aware that God knows what is best in His kingdom. When properly administered, discipline is not a negative action, is not some form of spiteful judging, is not an act of retaliation. Jesus compared it to a shepherd who, leaving the “ninety and nine,” seeks after the lost sheep. Upon finding that wandering one, Jesus said: “…he layeth it upon his shoulder, rejoicing,” Luke 15:3-7.
We want to reclaim those who are entrapped in their sin. We want to protect the virtue of Jesus’ bride, the church He purchased with His own blood, 1 Peter 1:18-19. We want to be true to Christ.
We cannot allow our own neglect to be the instrument of Satan to keep his hold on that wandering “sheep,” but we must be the instrument of God in bringing him home to the Heavenly Father. Remember, they are our family!
If you know of a wandering sister or brother, go to them with kindness and patience, and bring them back home, Galatians 6:1. That’s not “shunning.” That’s God’s love in us in action.
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Why Premillennialism is Dangerous
(Specifically, the 1000 Year Reign)
1. In John 18:36, Jesus said His kingdom was not an earthly one "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence".
2. Why would He come back to do what He didn't do before? Not powerful enough? John 6:15 - "When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone." John 14:1-3 - "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
3. There would be no earth upon which to reign. 2 Peter 3:10-13 - "Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness."
4. There can be no kingdom over which to reign (righteous have risen). 1 Thessalonians 4:17 - "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."
5. Could Not Reign Over UNrighteous (already raised to judgment) - John 5:28-29 - "Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation".
6. His Kingdom WAS set up in the first century (spiritual), Philippians 3:20 - "For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Colossians 1:13 - "Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." 1 Corinthians 15:23 - "But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming."
7. Christians were THEN called "a kingdom of priests to God." Revelation 1:6-9 - "And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. " Ë Ë Ï
8. This is the victory that overcomes the world -- even our faith. 1 John 5:4 "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."
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