Love Thy Neighbor... Unless You Disagree With Their Doctrine.

Last week I did something I have sworn not to do on numerous occasions. I got in a facebook fight. I am frankly embarrassed at myself for being drawn in to one. Internet arguments are kinda like breaking up toddler fights. No one gets what they want and everyone leaves upset. There is no voice inflection in text. You can’t read body language. Most of the time, you don’t know the person well enough to understand their motives. I cannot tell you how many times I have resisted the temptation to post something I knew might start a fight. Last week, I didn’t.
Before I go any further, let me say this. Some things are worth fighting for out of a good motivation. Some times you need to stand up even if you know it will cause strife. I did feel that the issue that drew me in was an important one, even if I might have dealt with it differently. What was the issue? I have seen a disturbing trend of “Christian” leaders calling one another out over the Internet on issues that are non-essential. Even if they were issues of essential doctrine, I cannot understand why one would not contact that individual directly. The justification has been that if something is said or printed in public, it can be rebuked in public. It’s a good thing I don’t take that approach with my children. Should I announce to the world when my child is disobedient in public, or should I gently rebuke him in private and allow him to apologize to those whom he offended? Lets read Matthew 18:15-17

15 “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 16 But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. 17 If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

The response of those who justify personal public rebuke is: “They didn’t sin against me.” If that is the case, shouldn’t that make you less apt to rebuke, not more? First, this scripture makes no distinction between public, and private sins. Second, the heart of the text is one of reconciliation. “If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”
We are to confront personally so that we have to engage in “log removal,” before confronting a brother about a “splinter.” The idea is that we must have a compassionate attitude, humble heart, and a RELATIONSHIP with the individual in question. What possible harm can be done taking the time to call, email, or God forbid have a face to face meeting to understand and then confront a brother? If you don’t have time for the relationship, why do you have enough time to rip them?
There is certainly nothing wrong with preaching correct doctrine and passionately pursuing truth, but rebuking a believer personally is a different matter. I think it’s remarkable that Jesus tells His disciples, “So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach. Why? Because as important as correct teaching is, one must still love thy neighbor. Just remember: A bully with a Bible is still a bully.

Aarron