REBUKE NOT AN ELDER

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren.” (I Timothy 5:1)

Be very careful how you speak to an older brother who you feel may be in error about some point of doctrine. If that is the case and you feel led of the Lord and up to the task to correct your older brother, never do so publicly. Such matters must be handled privately, for the good of the church. Also, never talk down to an elder brother. Talk to him with respect, like a son speaks to his father who has earned that respect through many years. Nothing good will ever come of speaking disrespectfully and full of pride to one of our elders. And when you speak to him, keep this in mind: it could be that you are the one who is in the wrong so speak humbly.

Speak to your younger brother in the same way. He may be in error about some point of doctrine. Never embarrass him publicly but patiently and kindly teach him…just like someone has done for you! Don’t ever talk down to a younger brother. If you do, you will teach him pride of knowledge by your example.

In either case if it is an indifferent matter (one not central to redemption in Christ) agree to disagree. None of those indifferent matters are as important as the glory of Christ. If you continue to publicly attack on an indifferent matter, I promise you that you will take people’s attention off of Christ. God forbid!

LET OUR LANGUAGE BE SEASONED WITH GRACE

“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6)

Let our language be seasoned with grace just like an egg is seasoned with salt. An egg just tastes better with a little salt. Everything we say will be better received if our language is seasoned with salt. Many times a person will disagree with us not because of what we said but HOW WE SAID IT. Let our language be seasoned with grace. Grace goes down a whole lot better than pride and arrogance.

A Word to Angry Calvinists

They who avow the doctrines distinguished by the name of Calvinistic ought, if consistent with their own principles, to be the most gentle and forbearing of all men, in meekness instructing them that oppose. With us, it is a fundamental maxim that a man can receive nothing but what is given him from heaven (John 3:37). Therefore, if it has pleased God to give us the knowledge of some truths which are hidden from others, who have the same outward means of information, it is a just reason for thankfulness to him, but will not justify our being angry with them—for we are no better or wiser than they in ourselves. We might have opposed the truths we now prize, with the same eagerness and obstinacy, if his grace had not made us to differ. If the man mentioned in John 9, who was born blind and on whom our Lord graciously bestowed the blessing of sight, had then taken a cudgel and beat all the blind men he met because they would not see, his conduct would have greatly resembled that of an angry Calvinist.

The faith of God’s elect has three properties attributed to it in scripture: it purifies the heart, overcomes the world, and works by love. I believe no other cause can produce these effects; therefore, I would say of every person in whom I can perceive these effects, the same is my brother or my sister or my mother. If Jesus is precious to their hearts, he who has begun a good work in them will gradually free them from incidental mistakes. If they walk according to his precepts, he will communicate to them much further degrees of light and knowledge, as he sees necessary for their comfort or usefulness in that state of life or line of service which he assigns them.