Here it is in 2 Timothy
2:19….
“… Let every one who names the name of the Lord withdraw from iniquity.”
But that’s addressed to individuals – so if
somebody is being unjustly treated by the fellowship I would be under
obligation to withdraw myself from that injustice to uphold honour of the
Lord’s name!
That’s not how they see
it and it’s interesting you should say that. They say: “we maintain a clean
place for the Lord” – which is not a biblical expression while the bottom line
is always: ‘keeping your place in the fellowship’ – another idea not biblical. In
fact, the onus should be on me personally to ‘withdraw from iniquity’ and
‘purify myself from uncleanness’ then I will find others ‘that call on the Lord
out of a pure heart’. It’s about qualifying, not about keeping my place by staying out of trouble.
So what about this business of upholding honour
of the Lord’s name?
That’s what it’s all
about!....in my day to day activity and whenever ‘church discipline’ is
necessary:
…in the case of wicked
behaviour, ex-communication:
“For I, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged
as present, to deliver, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ…him that
has so wrought this: to deliver him, I say, being such, to Satan…with such a
one not even to eat…Remove the wicked person from amongst yourselves.” 1 Corinthians 5
…or in the case of
disorderly conduct, avoidance –
“Now we enjoin you, brethren, in the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw from every brother walking
disorderly…” 2 Thessalonians 3:6
I doubt if there’s many churches that practise
that these days – if any! Nobody really cares much what you do so long as you front up to church – with your wallet.
So why won’t these people even have a cup of tea with their neighbour?
They claim that ‘eating
is fellowship’ so avoid eating or drinking with anybody they are not having
communion with at the Lord’s Supper.
Huh?? No
wonder they’ve been called exclusive! Okay, from what you’ve shown me I guess Christians are meant to be circumspect when it comes to socialising with other so-called Christians who bring dishonour on the Lord’s name because of their behaviour – although no-one seems to take much notice of that……BUT…
…yeah, but that’s not
how Paul saw eating; if we avoided social activity with every wicked person: “since
then ye should go out of the world.” We might as well shut ourselves away in a
commune from all unbelievers…and forget about witnessing to them!
Of course, that doesn’t
mean that we can just join anything that suits us – separation from the world
is a core biblical principle: 
"Be not diversely yoked with unbelievers; for what participation is
there between righteousness and lawlessness? or what fellowship of light with
darkness...or what part for a believer along with an unbeliever? ...Wherefore
come out from the midst of them and be separated, saith the Lord, and touch not
what is unclean..." 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Oh, that’s just means a Christian shouldn’t marry
a non-Christian.
Does it now? Where does it mention marriage here?
Mmm…you’ve got a point there, but that would be
very restrictive…no trade associations, no union memberships, no share trading,
no business partnerships, no directorships, no club memberships, no politics…no
nuthin’!
That’s why Paul has
already said in chapter 4:
“…every way afflicted, but not straitened; seeing no apparent issue, but
our way not entirely shut up; persecuted but not abandoned…”
Do you know something?...I think these Exclusive
Brethren people would be a brilliant witness in this evil world if only they
would publicly admit that somewhere they have lost the plot, they have left a
trail of families destroyed, and they need to get back to the authority of Holy
Scripture under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, instead of hanging everything on
this ‘elect vessel’ guy and what he says.
Image credit:
jonathoncliff.com
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