p. 763 | REBUKING SIN by John Norton Loughborough

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 27, 1900

REBUKING SIN.

By John Norton Loughborough

“There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretans are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” Titus 1: 10–14.

It may be asked, Does not this testimony show that the servants of the Lord are to use sharp rebukes, and that they are not always to be as tender as has been set forth in former articles? We answer: The rebuking here spoken of by the apostle does not give license to sharp words proceeding from the carnal heart, but in using the truth of God in exposing errors.

This thought is again expressed in the same epistle, where he says, of our Saviour Jesus Christ, “who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority.” Titus 2: 14, 15. The rebuking is the exposing of sin, iniquity, and all departures from Christ, not with human zeal and words of man’s devising, but by teaching “these things”—the plain truths of the gospel.

This is again set forth in Paul’s solemn charge to the ministry, as given to Timothy, where he says: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and kingdom: Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim. 3: 16, 17; 4: 1, 2.

This is in perfect accord with what he had taught in his first epistle to Timothy, where he says: “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” 1 Tim. 5: 21, 22.

Now let us compare this with Christ’s manner, given to us for an example, as presented in the Testimonies: “With tender compassion should a brother deal with brother. Delicately should he deal with feelings. It is the nicest and most important work that ever yet was done to touch the wrongs of another. With the deepest humility should a brother do this, considering his own weakness, lest he also should be tempted. . . .

“Said Jesus, ‘Love one another as I have loved you.’ Do you feel, when a brother errs, that you could give your life to save him? If you feel thus, you can approach him and affect his heart; you are just the one to visit that brother. But it is a lamentable fact that many who profess to be brethren are not willing to sacrifice any of their opinions or their judgment, to save a brother.”—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 1, page 166.

“Frequently the truth and facts are to be plainly spoken to the erring, to make them see and feel their error that they may reform. But this should ever be done with pitying tenderness, not with harshness or severity, but considering one’s own weakness, lest he also be tempted. When the one at fault sees and acknowledges his error, then, instead of grieving him, and seeking to make him feel more deeply, comfort should be given. In the sermon of Christ upon the mount, he said: ‘Judge not, that ye be not judged; for with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged; and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.’ Our Saviour reproved for rash judgment. ‘Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye?’ ‘and behold a beam is in thine own eye.’ It is frequently the case that while one is quick to discern the errors of his brethren, he may be in greater faults himself, but be blind to them.”—Id., Vol. III, page 93.

“The Lord would teach his servants great carefulness in all their moves. ‘Let both grow together.’ Do not forcibly pull up the tares lest in rooting them up, the precious blades will become loosened. Both ministers and church-members should be very cautious, lest they get a zeal not according to knowledge. There is danger of doing too much to cure difficulties in the church, which, if let alone, will frequently work their own cure. It is bad policy to take hold of matters in any church prematurely. We shall have to exercise the greatest care, patience, and self-control, to bear these things, and not go to work in our own spirit to set them in order.”—Id., pages 113, 114.

“We are not to bruise the souls of the erring, but to go to them armed with humility and prayer. When the gospel minister, with his heart subdued by the love and grace of Christ, comes in touch with human minds, he can reveal his superior qualifications, not by destroying hope and courage, but by inspiring faith in the faithless, by lifting up the hands that hang down, and confirming the feeble knees.”—Review, Nov. 21, 1899.

“There will ever be a spirit to rise up against the reproof of sins and wrongs. But shall the voice of reproof be hushed because of this? If so, we shall be in no better situation than are the various denominations in our land, who are afraid to touch the prevailing errors and sins of the people.

“There are ever those who will despise the one who dares to reprove sin; but there are times when reproof must be given. Paul directs Titus to rebuke a certain class sharply, that they may be sound in the faith. Men and women, who, with their different organizations, are brought together in church capacity, have peculiarities and faults. As these are developed, they will require reproof. If those who are placed in important positions never reproved, never rebuked, there would soon be a demoralized condition of things that would greatly dishonor God. But how shall the reproof be given? Let the apostle answer: ‘With all long-suffering and doctrine.’ Principle should be brought to bear upon the one who needs reproof; but never should the wrongs of God’s people be passed by indifferently. . . .

“God would have his people disciplined and brought into harmony of action, that they may see eye to eye, and be of the same mind and of the same judgment. In order to bring about this state of things, there is much to be done. The carnal heart must be subdued and transformed. God designs that there shall ever be a living testimony in the church. It will be necessary to reprove and exhort, and some will need to be rebuked sharply, as the case demands. We hear the plea, ‘Oh, I am so sensitive I can not hear the least reflection!’ If these persons would state the case correctly, they would say, ‘I am so self-willed, so self-sufficient, so proud-spirited, that I will not be dictated to; I will not be reproved. I claim the right of individual judgment; I have a right to believe and talk as I please.’ The Lord would not have us yield up our individuality. But what man is a proper judge of how far this matter of individual independence should be carried?’—“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. III, pages 359, 360.

J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH.