Does God Approve Of Excommunications & Disfellowshippings?
Martin was a long time Church pastor. Martin was married with two sons and a daughter. Mira was the church secretary. It began very innocently. They were both dedicated to their church. Unfortunately their meetings led to wrong desires, lust, sin, secrecy, and conspiracy to evade discovernment.
After six months of cover ups and deceptions Martin and Mira were caught red handed in sin (John 8:4). Martin's wife was willing to forgive him if he'd repent (Mark 6:12). The Church leadership implored Martin to repent. Martin refuses and pledged his faithful devotion to Mira. The Church leadership reluctantly used 1 Corinthians 5:1, 5 and Matthew 18:15-17 to disfellowship (excommunicated) both Martin and Mira.
Why did Martn and Mira have to be disfellowshipped from their Church? God is a Holy God (Joshua 24:19). His Ways Are Just And Righteous (Exodus 9:27). God has warned that any who continue to practice sin (disobedience) willnot inherit God's Heavenly Kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-13; 1 John 2:15-17; Galatians 5:1-24). Thus such a person(s) should not be recognized as a brother (member) of a Christian (God obeying) Church (John 15:10-15; 1 John 2:1-11).
Martin was disfellowshipped because he refused God's Loving Mercy. King David was a murderous adulterer. Yet David repented and God forgave King David (2 Samuel 12:1-23). God Is Love And Has Great Mercy (1 John 4:8; Exodus 34:6). When we confess our sins to Him in Jesus Name God will forgive us (1 John 1:7-10). It is only when a Christian hardens their heart against God will He "put them out (for Satan to oppress)". The oppressive "hard times" are designed to "force (press)" a sinner to repent and return to God's Way(s) (Deuteronomy 15:7; Exodus 4:21; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 2 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Timothy 1:20; Joel 3:13).
God only authorizes Excommunications for those hardened in sin (Genesis 4:1-16). God promises to forgive any sin when the sinner repents and trusts in Jesus (1 John 1:7-10).
As a general rule God does not approve of most disfellowshippings. Christians are to love and forgive one another. They are to "put up" with one another as the Day Of The Lord draws near (John 13:34; John 15:12-17; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Mark 18:35; Luke 11:4; 2 Corinthians 2:7).
This article can be freely edited and utilized as long as credit is given to its author (Gary Colin).
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