Ceasing To Be A Brother

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Introduction

Back in the late 60’s and early 70’s there began a movement within the church to make sweeping social and doctrinal changes to make the church more appealing and “user friendly” so that she might grow numerically. Tragically, while numbers grew, spirituality diminished. Today pulpits across our nation and throughout the world are filled to capacity by false teachers, articles and books encourage apostasy, and writings and lectures even train people how to bring about changes in the body of Christ. Among those who have remained faithful and have responded to these heretics there is a practice I believe to be dangerous and it is simply this. No matter how far these men seem willing to go (one has even taught that baptism is not necessary) faithful men still refer to them as our brothers. I contend that one can so apostatize as to cease to be a brother and such a one should be so marked. This is the thesis of this article. I urge you to read this carefully and reflect on the texts that are cited.

I. Two Spiritual Families:

In John 8:44-47 we read the following:

“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”

This passage clearly establishes there are two spiritual families; one family is of God and the other is of the devil.

II. One Can Depart From The Faith:

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”
I Tim 4: 1-2

“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would not doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
I John 2:19

“And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:62

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.”
John 6:66-68

In our scripture reading we read the story of the prodigal son. Much could be said, but here I want you to notice one thing. Twice in this story (vs. 24 & 32) the Father refers to his son as having been dead. It is a fact that one can repent, turn back to God, and be alive again. But this could only be true if one had departed in the first place. The fact is one can depart from the faith.

III. Withdrawal:

There comes a time in the lives of some individuals that we must withdraw our association from them because they have broken fellowship with us and with God. Consider the following passages.

“A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”
Titus 3:10-11

(The word heretic is the Greek word and means a divider, one who causes division.)

“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”
Romans 16:17-18

In this text we are told to mark and avoid those who cause division. From these texts we see definitively that withdrawal is sometimes required and necessary. (see also I Cor 5:1-6).

IV. Applying The Thought Process To This Issue:

Here I want to present two syllogisms for your consideration. A syllogism is a process of formal logic based on certain rules of relationships. Simply put, if the form of a syllogism is valid and the premises are true, then the conclusion is inevitable. Consider the following:

If A then B

Not B

——————–

Not A

Premise One: If someone is of God, then they will hear His words (John 8:47)

Premise Two: Robert (fill in any name) will not hear God’s words

Conclusion: Robert is not of God

(I used my name, Robert, so that it would not appear I was pointing my finger at any particular person, rw)

A=B

B=C

——————–

A=C

Premise One: God is father of those who love Christ (John 8:42)

Premise Two: Those who love Christ will obey his Words (John 14:23)

Conclusion: God is father of those who obey Christ’s words

It is clear from our study so far that one can leave Christ, cease to obey and follow Him, and cease to have God as his spiritual Father.

V. Exegesis of I John 1:7:

Let us begin by looking at the text to be considered. It reads as follows:

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

We need to note several things in this text. First, it states that while we are walking in the light, the blood of Jesus is actively cleansing us. This means that sin could occur in our lives without causing us to leave the light. Second, in the original language this passages actually says the blood of Christ continually cleanses us. This is a constant and ongoing process.

There are two levels of individuals discussed in scripture relative to the commission of sin (actually there are several levels but we will confine this study to only two of these). The first is the one who is weak and overtaken in a fault. Scripture teaches that when such occurs, the strong are to bear the burdens of the weak. We need to strengthen them, admonish them, encourage them, and even sometimes rebuke them gently (Galatians 6:1-2). The second is the one who has chosen to willfully fly into the face of God and violate His will, no matter what the cost. This person is to be withdrawn from and marked so that all will know about his treachery and not be deceived by him (Acts 5:1-4, Titus 3:10-11, Romans 16:17-18, I Timothy 1:18-20, II Timothy 2:15-18). With the first we demonstrate patience and gentleness. With the second we demonstrate rebuke and discipline. Each case must be considered on its own merits. But one thing is for sure. People who willfully violate the will of God and reject the teachings of the Bible, no longer belong to the family of God until they repent and return to their Father.

Conclusion:

I am sure that there are those who had hoped for a much more scholarly review of this issue than I have been able to produce. But then I am no scholar. But the truth is that most of the teachings of God do not require a scholar to understand them; They only take a willing heart and an attentive ear (Isaiah 35:8). I encourage you that in all of your studies you close your ears to man and listen to the sweet voice of God as it speaks to you from His divine written word.

“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Matthew 12:50