Silas
Beloved of All
Thank you for bringing these burdens before the Lord even when the words are difficult to untangle. What comes through clearly is a concern for eternity, for the influence of the enemy, and for whether someone should be removed from fellowship. I want to respond to each of those concerns with what Scripture teaches.
First, eternity is not only about how long we live. The Bible presents eternal life as a quality of life that begins now. It is knowing God and walking in fellowship with Him through His Son. Jesus is eternal, one with the Father, and He came into this world to give His life so that we might be brought back into fellowship with God. When we trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, God gives us that life as a gift. His blood cleanses us from all sin and all unrighteousness, and as we walk in the light with Him we experience fellowship with the Father and with one another.
That fellowship is where joy is found. The Scriptures connect fullness of joy directly to abiding in Christ. And God wants you to have assurance. It is written to those who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. That hope does not rest on feelings or on church attendance or good works, which can never earn eternal life and can even deceive us if we trust in them. It rests on the promise of God who cannot lie. He promised eternal life before the world began, and He is faithful to His word. If you have the Son, you have life. Do not let anyone take that confidence from you. If you are unsure where you stand, the question to ask is simply on what are you basing your hope. If it is on Jesus Christ and what He did for you on the cross, that foundation is sure.
Second, regarding removal from fellowship and the work of the enemy, Scripture does speak about separation within the church, but always with a redemptive purpose. When there is open and continuing practice of evil, the teaching given to the early churches was not to tolerate it as if it did not matter, because a little leaven spreads through the whole lump. A healthy body must be able to purge what is poisonous. At times that meant putting someone outside the fellowship, even describing it as handing them over to experience the full consequences of their choice apart from the strength and covering of fellowship.
The purpose was never punishment for its own sake. It was so that the person, feeling the isolation of being apart from the family of God, would come to see the reality of their sin and turn back in repentance. When we step in too quickly to shield someone from the consequences of sin, we can actually enable them to continue in it. Loving discipline allows the weight of the choice to be felt so that repentance becomes possible and restoration can follow.
That is a very serious step. It is not to be done on the basis of unclear accusations, rumors, or a general sense that something is wrong on the field. It requires clear evidence, careful and prayerful discernment, and the pattern Jesus gave of going first privately, then with witnesses, and then with the oversight of mature and godly leaders. It must be done in love, without greed or personal agenda, and with the goal of reconciliation.
From what you have shared, there is confusion and a lack of clarity, and you mention that the person most directly involved is not opening up, while you as a family member are appealing on behalf of your mother and yourself. In that kind of situation it is wise not to move hastily to call for anyone to be removed. Pray for light and truth to become clear. Seek the counsel of faithful pastors who can hear all sides, examine the facts, and apply Scripture with wisdom. Continue to pray that any influence of the enemy would be exposed and broken through the power of Jesus Christ, and that those involved would be drawn to repentance and to fellowship with God.
I will pray with you now. Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that You would give this family clarity where there is confusion, truth where there is uncertainty, and protection from the schemes of the enemy. Grant to each person involved the gift of eternal life through faith in Your Son, the assurance that comes from Your promise, the cleansing of His blood, and the fullness of joy that comes from walking in fellowship with You. Where correction is needed, let it be done in love and truth for the sake of repentance and restoration. Lead away from temptation and deliver from evil, and let Your will be done. Amen.
First, eternity is not only about how long we live. The Bible presents eternal life as a quality of life that begins now. It is knowing God and walking in fellowship with Him through His Son. Jesus is eternal, one with the Father, and He came into this world to give His life so that we might be brought back into fellowship with God. When we trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation, God gives us that life as a gift. His blood cleanses us from all sin and all unrighteousness, and as we walk in the light with Him we experience fellowship with the Father and with one another.
That fellowship is where joy is found. The Scriptures connect fullness of joy directly to abiding in Christ. And God wants you to have assurance. It is written to those who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. That hope does not rest on feelings or on church attendance or good works, which can never earn eternal life and can even deceive us if we trust in them. It rests on the promise of God who cannot lie. He promised eternal life before the world began, and He is faithful to His word. If you have the Son, you have life. Do not let anyone take that confidence from you. If you are unsure where you stand, the question to ask is simply on what are you basing your hope. If it is on Jesus Christ and what He did for you on the cross, that foundation is sure.
Second, regarding removal from fellowship and the work of the enemy, Scripture does speak about separation within the church, but always with a redemptive purpose. When there is open and continuing practice of evil, the teaching given to the early churches was not to tolerate it as if it did not matter, because a little leaven spreads through the whole lump. A healthy body must be able to purge what is poisonous. At times that meant putting someone outside the fellowship, even describing it as handing them over to experience the full consequences of their choice apart from the strength and covering of fellowship.
The purpose was never punishment for its own sake. It was so that the person, feeling the isolation of being apart from the family of God, would come to see the reality of their sin and turn back in repentance. When we step in too quickly to shield someone from the consequences of sin, we can actually enable them to continue in it. Loving discipline allows the weight of the choice to be felt so that repentance becomes possible and restoration can follow.
That is a very serious step. It is not to be done on the basis of unclear accusations, rumors, or a general sense that something is wrong on the field. It requires clear evidence, careful and prayerful discernment, and the pattern Jesus gave of going first privately, then with witnesses, and then with the oversight of mature and godly leaders. It must be done in love, without greed or personal agenda, and with the goal of reconciliation.
From what you have shared, there is confusion and a lack of clarity, and you mention that the person most directly involved is not opening up, while you as a family member are appealing on behalf of your mother and yourself. In that kind of situation it is wise not to move hastily to call for anyone to be removed. Pray for light and truth to become clear. Seek the counsel of faithful pastors who can hear all sides, examine the facts, and apply Scripture with wisdom. Continue to pray that any influence of the enemy would be exposed and broken through the power of Jesus Christ, and that those involved would be drawn to repentance and to fellowship with God.
I will pray with you now. Father, I ask in the name of Jesus that You would give this family clarity where there is confusion, truth where there is uncertainty, and protection from the schemes of the enemy. Grant to each person involved the gift of eternal life through faith in Your Son, the assurance that comes from Your promise, the cleansing of His blood, and the fullness of joy that comes from walking in fellowship with You. Where correction is needed, let it be done in love and truth for the sake of repentance and restoration. Lead away from temptation and deliver from evil, and let Your will be done. Amen.
