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THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER VOLUME 6, NUMBER 43, OCTOBER 29, 2006 WHAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO THE WITHDRAWN? Occasionally when the sad circumstance arises where an individual has been so obstinate and unrepentant in a sin that they must be withdrawn from, they will add to their sin in a spirit of bitterness. This they do by accusing the faithful members of the congregation from which they have been withdrawn of lacking love in not coming after them and begging them to return. Perhaps there is comfort to be derived from such a tactic, I don’t know. But I do know that such a charge is not sound from a scriptural standpoint. The charge is usually based upon 2 Thessalonians 3:15. For clarity sake, let’s read verse 14 as well. Paul wrote, “And if any obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.” Some how the phrase, “yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” has been wrenched from its context and made to apply to events after the withdrawal has taken place. While there is never an excuse to be unkind to anybody, 2 Thessalonians 3:15 refers to the actual process of the discipline itself – the attitude behind it and the spirit with which it is carried out. Before the final step of withdrawal must be taken, every effort to encourage the sinning brother or sister to repentance must have been taken. Exhortation, study, encouragement, and admonition must be engaged in with those who are floundering in sin and the deceit of Satan and who adamantly refuse to repent. All of it, while firm, must be done out of concern for the spiritual welfare of the individuals so sadly involved in the work of the devil. They are to be admonished, not as an enemy, but as a brother or sister in Christ. Since these charges have been leveled against the members of this congregation, it can be said without hesitation that every one of these steps were taken here for months before the final step of discipline had to be carried out – for months and months. What does the bible say constitutes that “final act” of discipline? Verse 14 of 2 Thessalonians 3 says, “have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.” The Greek word for “have company” means to mix up together, to mingle together with, to have intercourse with. We, as faithful Christians, are not to do that with those who have been withdrawn from. What about the “withdrawn?” In verse 6 of 2 Thessalonians 3, we read, “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” The idea of “withdraw” is to have no fellowship or communion with. It is to separate ourselves from such an individual. Why? In order that they might be ashamed. Those who continue to have fellowship with, jointly participate with, and have communion with those who have been withdrawn from are openly disobeying the commands of 2 Thessalonians 3:6, 14. An obvious reason why so many refuse to repent after they have been withdrawn from and to hurl unfounded accusations against those who have faithfully carried out the command to withdraw, is brothers and sisters who do not cease communion with them. Why would they be ashamed when there are a number of brethren who will uphold them in their sin? In 1 Corinthians 5 we read of an individual who was a member of the church at Corinth, engaging in sin, and refusing to repent. Paul wrote in verse 2, “And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that has done this deed might be taken away from among you.” In verses 4-7, we find, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened…” The brethren in Corinth did this; they ceased to have fellowship, joint participation or communion with this man. The evidence from 2 Corinthians 2 is that it worked as God designed it. So completely had they separated themselves from this man that when he evidenced repentance, Paul had to urge them to forgive and comfort him. Verses 6-8 of 2 Corinthians 2 say, “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So that contrariwise ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one should be swallowed up with over much sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you that ye would confirm your love toward him.” When repentance is evidenced, the arms of fellowship are to be wide open, comfort and forgiveness offered. Not before. Does all of this mean that we are not open to study at any time with those who have been withdrawn from? Absolutely not, faithful children of God will study with anybody anywhere as long as they are truly willing to study to know the truth. Prayers continue to be offered daily for unfaithful brethren. It is a shame when those who refuse to repent seek to shift the blame for their sins to others who have simply done, and continue to do, what God has commanded. Let us continue to move on. There is so much work to do and so many brethren willing to do it.
Greg Litmer
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