08/05/18 GOD'S VIEW OF BLASPHEMOUS OFFENDERS
(and how to respond to them)
When God tells us not to fellowship with someone because of something in his/her life, it must be abhorrent.
Romans 16:17-18
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
Galatians 1:6-9
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
2 Thessalonians 3:6
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
1 Timothy 6:3-5
3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
Jude 1:17-19
17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;
18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts.
19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.
God has given us other directives concerning the problem of those who SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM GOD, HIS WORD, HIS FAITH AND HIS PEOPLE. I hope to address those points at another time.
But remember, part of our responsibility is to fill our lives with the Person and purposes of God. Consider the next verses of Jude.
Jude 1:20-21
20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,
21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Rather than accepting those who separate themselves from God and His people and rather than ignoring their blasphemy, we are told...
Jude 1:22-23
22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Restoration is not a one sided action. Loving, well meaning believers cannot supersede or preclude the need for blasphemers to repent and take steps of reconciliation, restoration and restitution to the church, as well as to God.
Being out of fellowship with a blasphemer does not mean that we don't love them or we don't treat them kindly or with dignity. It does not mean we don't help them when they are in need. It simply means that they are not "shipmates" on the Old Ship of Zion (fellow believers), it means that we are not two fellows on the same ship of salvation. I would throw a lifeline to a person lost at sea, but that does not make them my shipmate. We must not be unkind or rude to those who speak against Christ, His word, His people. But neither are we spiritually united with the enemies of the cross.
