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Shunning People?
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Written
and personal study by Felicia Trecek
What do we do about people who have been baptized, claim Messiah, sing praises to Elohim every week, but do not obey Messiah's gospel? In other words, people who continue in their sinful ways without a willingness to change. Do we continuously tolerate their sin or accept their abuse for the sake of "suffering for righteousness"? (2 Thes 1:5, 1 Peter 3:17). The answer is no.
In Matthew 18:15-17, Messiah gave us a mandated instruction when a brother or sister sins against us. Firstly, we're told to go and speak with the offender in private. If the offender doesn't cease from the sin after step one, then we are told to speak with him/her with two or three witnesses. And, if the offender does not listen during or after the second discussion whereas the sinner continues in the sinful offense, then we're told to take the issue (offense) before the assembly of believers. When the offender does not hear the entire assembly, then the offender should be shunned.
These type of people who we ought to shun, do not possess Elohim. I realize these are harsh words. Nevertheless, these words are biblical.
2 John 1:9-11 reads, (v:9) "Everyone who is transgressing and not staying in the teaching of Messiah does not possess Elohim. The one who does stay in the teaching of Messiah possesses both the Father and the Son." (v:10) "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house not greet him," (v:11) "for he who greets him shares in his wicked works."
Romans 16:17-18 reads, (v:17) "Now I call upon you, brothers, watch out for those who cause divisions and stumbling, contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them." (v:18) "For such ones do not serve our Master Yahushua Messiah..."
Paul told the Thessalonians in his second letter (2Thes 3:14)..."If any one refuses to obey what we say in this letter, note that man, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed." Do we all know what Paul wrote in 2Thessalonians? We ought to since we should shun anyone who does not follow what Paul wrote in 2Thessalonians. And please be reminded, we know from several scriptures that Paul received his teaching and authority directly from our Master, Yahushua Messiah.
1 Corinthians 5:12-13 reads, (v:12) "For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?" (v:13) "God judges those outside. Drive out the wicked person from among you."
2 Thessalonians 3:6 reads, "But we command you, brothers, in the Name of our Master Yahushua Messiah, that you withdraw from every brother (or sister) who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which you have received from us."
Proverbs 20:19 reads, "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with him who speaks smoothly with his lips."
There are at least three reasons why we ought to shun people when they do not obey the gospel. Paul wrote one reason in 2Thes 3:14; one of the scriptures listed above. As a repeat; Paul wrote, "...that he may be ashamed." The result of shunning is hopefully shame. Shaming someone might poke a hole in their balloon of pride.
The second reason why we ought to shun someone for not obeying the gospel of Messiah is stated in 1 Corinthians 15:33. 1 Corinthians 15:33 reads, "Do not be deceived: bad company ruins good morals." 1 Corinthians 5:6 reads, "... Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the entire lump?" Also reference Galatians 5:9.
If an offending person - a person who does not obey the gospel - is not shunned, then the offender might think that what he/she is doing is some how acceptable. And, then the water gets muddied sort of speak. A bunch of gray area develops between what is right and wrong, what's good and evil. Others who associate with such a person might either slowly becomes like the offender or might become confused about what is right and what is wrong. And, what most often occurs is this: if an offender is allowed to continue in their offense, the one being offended becomes discouraged and possibly is tripped to sin also. How is this so? If they are hurt enough times, then hurt turns into anger. And, when anger lingers, it turns into hatred. Hating someone is a sin. It's Spiritual murder - 1John 3:15. The offender can and will most likely cause the one who is offended to sin.
Ironically; the saying of today is, "love is all that matters. If we have not love, then we are nothing." (Reference 1 Cor 13:1-2) Don't fall into the pit-trap of; love equals tolerance, because it doesn't.
The third reason why we ought to shun someone who does not obey the gospel was already stated above in 2 John 1:11. As a repeat: 2 John 1:11 reads, "for he who greets him shares in his wicked works." Anyone who greets such a person becomes their accomplice in crime. This is likened to the law of the land. For an example: if you see someone stealing something from your neighbor and you didn't say or do anything about it, you become an accomplice in the crime. What's worse is this: if you continue to associate with the person that stole from your neighbor. Now think of this again in respect to an offender of the gospel within the so-called body of Messiah. How does this make your neighbor feel - the one who was sinned against? If we embrace the sinner and not the one who is sinned against, 1) we're stomping on the sacrifice of Messiah, and 2) we're sending a wrong message to the one who was sinned against. The message is this: you don't matter. It's okay for you to be mistreated.
HOW CAN THIS BE? WHY WOULD ANYONE CONTINUE IN SIN AFTER ACCEPTING MESSIAH? Matthew 13:24-30 informs us that Satan sows tares (darnal) among the wheat. Therefore, not everyone who is baptized received the Holy Spirit. These people are planted by Satan to sow discord. Whether we like it or not, this is a fact of life.
Paul told us that we can test our faith to see whether or not Messiah lives within us. (And, we can also observe others.) 2 Corinthians 13:5-8 gives us the test. Verse 8 specifically reads, "For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth." And, Messiah said that His brothers and sisters are the ones DOING the will of his Father in Matthew 12:49-50 and Mark 3:34-35. Hence, the ones that are NOT DOING the will of His Father are NOT His brothers and sisters.
Hebrews 10:26 reads, "For if we sin WILLFULLY after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains an offering for sins." Sadly, over the many years I have seen many people play the religious game. They mock Elohim when they play their games. But; for those who have an ear, let us always be on guard lest we lose our salvation.
In Revelation 3:11 Messiah told us..., "I am coming soon: hold fast what you have, so that no one may seize your crown."
James 1:12 reads, "Blessed is the man who endureth trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him."
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