Love Reproving # 1

 Love Reproving # 1

Some time ago we received the following inquiry from one of our readers, "Do you think it possible to be too critical of Christians (?) nowadays? The reason I put a question mark after "Christians" was because I wondered if some of them really are born again of the Spirit. We cannot always tell, can we? Are we not, at all events, to speak the Truth in love? This is a very practical question with us just now."

It is a practical question for all who (by grace) really desire to conduct themselves according to the revealed will of God and follow the example which Christ Himself has left us. The wording of these questions indicates that the inquirer does not have in mind the matter of how I should act toward one who has wronged me personally - but rather, what is my duty unto professing Christians with whom I come into contact and whose ways grieve me and whose walk causes me to doubt their regeneration? As others of our readers may be exercised upon these points, we will here amplify the answer given to our friend.

First, let us turn the light of Holy Writ upon this matter, "Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly - so you will not share in his guilt" (Lev. 19:17). There are three things which call for our prayerful response.

First, this is a plain precept bidding us to rebuke an erring brother - it is not optional but obligatory; this duty must not be omitted under any pretense. God requires His people to uphold the demands of righteousness. He will not wink at sin - nor must they.

Second, God would also correct our innate self-centeredness. We are so occupied with our own well-being as to be in danger of neglecting the good of our neighbor. This verse plainly denotes it is a lack of love for others - if we seem them commit sin with indifference, and make no effort to bring them to repentance and forsake their evil course. A mild, plain, and seasonable reproof is the best way of expressing our solicitude for an erring brother, though it is distasteful to us and unwelcome to him.

Third, "So you will not share in his guilt" means that you become not an accessory of the act. Silence gives consent - if I don't rebuke him - I condone evil and share the guilt.

The basic issue which is here raised narrows down to this - what is it for a Christian to "act in love" towards others, particularly the wayward?

Few words have been used more inaccurately and loosely in recent years, than has "love." With a great many people it is but a synonym for moral laxity, weakness of character, a taking the line of least resistance, a quiet tolerating of what is felt to be wrong. Multitudes of parents have supposed they were treating their children "lovingly" when they overlooked their folly, make excuses for their wildness, and refused to discipline them for disobedience. They have prided themselves on being "kinder" toward their children than the "stern measures" which were meted out to themselves in their own youth. But it is laxity - and not love - which allows a child to have its own way. "He who spares his rod hates his son - but he who loves him, chastens him early" (Proverbs 13:24). Let those of our readers who have young children ponder Proverbs 19:18; 22:15; 23:123, 14; 2915, 17, and remember those are the words of Him who is love!

That which we have referred to in the above paragraph has been by no means confined to home life - the same evil has held sway in the "churches." Leniency and weakness have overridden righteousness and faithfulness. Instead of maintaining and enforcing the discipline which God's Word enjoins - the great majority of the "churches" have winked at even glaring sins, refusing to deal with those who walk disorderly. This reprehensible laxity is misnamed "love." A maudin sentimentality which shrank from 'hurting the feelings" of others - ousted all concern for the glory of Christ and the honor of His "house."

~A. W. Pink~

(continued with # 2)