Charles Pogue
Those who stand for the truth will suffer persecution. It is not just a possibility, it is a promise. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (2 Tim. 3:12). Those out in the world will separate us from their company because we stand for the truth. “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake” (Luke 6:22). Let us give attention to the first three words Jesus said in the verse. “Blessed are ye.”
The Lord begins a portion of the Sermon on the mount, with the same three words. Matthew records Jesus saying, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you” (Matthew 5:11,12).
There may be times when it seems hard to grasp those three words when it is from those out in the world who are persecuting, reviling, and separating us from their company, but it does not compare with the agony when those who do those things to us are fellow members of the church.
Too few members of the church today, are willing to stand up for God’s law on the matter of fellowship. It is plain. If a brother teaches and practices error he is to be withdrawn from (Rom. 16:16,17; 2 John 9-11, etc.). Not only are there few who will stand up for the truth on the matter of fellowship, but there are also huge numbers of members of the church who will condemn those who do.
Those who have separated themselves from brother Dave Miller, who has never publicly confessed his wrong for advancing, defending, and participating in elder reevaluation and reaffirmation, as well as those who remain in fellowship with him, have done the scriptural thing. There is absolutely no question the action to withdraw was and is justified, appropriate, and mandated.
Recently, I was told those who have taken the action to withdraw fellowship from these erring brothers are a bunch of old men who do not want to get along with anyone. It is hard to hear such words from any member of the church, but when it comes from one’s own family it makes it even harder.
Let us not forget those first three words of Jesus in Luke 6:22, and Matthew 5:11. “Blessed are ye.” Jude 3 says, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” We read on down through the book and are told of those who opposed God and the truth.
After pointing out the ungodly mockers of the last time who are sensual and do not have the Spirit, Jude writes in verses 21 and 22: “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
“Blessed are ye.” Why did the Lord say those words? Because those who are faithful to and contend earnestly for the faith will receive eternal life. The promise makes it bearable when a faithful brother obeying God’s law of fellowship is reviled and falsely accused. “Blessed are ye.”
