Rebuking and repentance are biblical principles that believers are to practice on the road to spiritual maturity. When Why and how to rebuke a believer is taught to us by both Jesus and the Apostles. We rebuke one another to express firm disapproval of some behavior or actions. In the New Testament the Greek word elegchó is translated as “rebuke”. In its truest sense, elegchó means to reprimand and convict by exposing a wrong, sometimes publicly. There are times when all of us need to be rebuked, and there are times when a believer needs to rebuke another believer.
Why Rebuke
Sometimes a believer will sin and we cannot look away or forget. The biblical command to rebuke another Christian when caught doing wrong isn’t popular. Not all sins should be forgotten. In some circles rebuking is thought of as being unloving. Christianity is about growing spiritually and being all that God has called you to be (Ephesians 1:4-5). We are chosen by God for sanctification to “be holy as He is holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). We were created for good works and to be holy doing it. Believers will be “known by our fruit” (Matthew 7:16).
Rebuking For Spiritual Growth
The idea of biblical chastisement is to bring a believer to spiritual maturity (Proverbs 27:17). In a family the parent may discipline a child with the intention of changing the childs mind about the errant behavior (Hebrews 12:11). It’s the same when Christians rebukes one another, it is an act of love. As long as we are in these bodies, rebuking and repenting will be on the table; because we are Gods children on our journey in Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:11); (Ephesians 4:25). How do we know when to rebuke another believer?
When To Rebuke Another
Scriptural rebuke begins in the heart. Before we confront anyone about anything, we should first examine our own motives. (1 Corinthians 16:14) says, “Let everything be done in love.” That includes rebuke. There is a right way and a wrong way to rebuke someone. Wrong rebuking stems from pride, anger, malice, jealousy, or a selfish attitude. Often, hypocrisy is involved. Most of the Bible’s warnings against judging others pertain to those who condemn others for the very things they do themselves (Matthew 7:3–5). Paul wrote, “I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Jesus gave us clear instructions for handling situations in which a believer is caught up in a sin: “If your brother sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over” (Matthew 18:15). There is discernment implied in this verse. We are not to be watchdogs over each other, because we all sin in many ways every day (1 John 1:8; James 3:2).
We all sin in thought, word, attitude, or motivation. But when another believer is choosing sin that harms himself, someone else, or the body of Christ, we are to intervene. A rebuke is necessary at times, as we must look out for each other. James 5:20 says, “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” Confrontation may be difficult, but it is not loving to allow a professing Christian to continue in a sin that will bring God’s consequences upon him or his friends, family or his church.
Church Discipline
Matthew 18 goes on to clarify what is to be done in church discipline if a confronted believer refuses to listen to a loving rebuke. Jesus says, “But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector” (verses 16–17). This may sound harsh to our tolerance-saturated minds, but this is Jesus talking. The purity of His church is of utmost importance to Him. We are called to be holy 1 Peter 1:16. People who want to claim His name while defiling His reputation must be rebuked, not overlooked or excused.
Lack of Discipline Leads to Failure
If the church as a whole took Jesus’ words seriously, our voice would be more respected in the world. When we neglect to address grievous sins in the church, we appear to take sin lightly. We look like hypocrites, to those in the world. Skeptics can’t respect our claim to honor the Bible as God’s Word while we ignore those who call themselves Christian and overtly disobey it.
Sometimes, believers are hesitant to rebuke those who need it because of abuses in the past. Rebuking is scriptural and necessary for spiritual maturity. Some churches or pastors have been overly eager to rebuke others or have used Scripture to humiliate and ostracize those who disagreed with them. Such judgmental behavior has led some church leaders to not apply the principle of rebuking completely Matthew 18. However, when a father rebukes a child it’s done out of love; the same should be done with believers. We “admonish him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” 2 Thessalonians 3:15.
I haven’t perfected the art chastisement of another, not yet. Nevertheless, I will do it because of love for the offender and even greater love after they repented, because they returned to a right relationship with God. I have the word of God and I apply it, leading to repentance. I love myself and the offender but I love God more and always seek to golorify Him. Charles Stanley was famous for saying “obey God and leave the consequences to Him”. These are the last days where pride and self-righteousness is winning the day. But, God looks for the humble heart 1 Peter 5:5-6, James 4:6-7. A believers future rewards depends on what he does today.
How To Rebuke A Sinning Christian
A short checklist can help us know when it may be necessary to rebuke a sinning Christian. We should never be hasty or rash in a rebuke. We should evaluate each situation carefully and prayerfully and ask ourselves these questions:
1. Is my life free from similar sin? (Romans 2:1)
2. Do I have a relationship with this person that allows me to speak into his life? (Galatians 6:2)
3. Is my motive that of restoration rather than condemnation? (Galatians 6:1)
4. Would I be willing to have someone rebuke me in the same way? (Matthew 7:12)
5. Do I understand Scripture well enough to know how and why this person is violating it? (2 Timothy 2:15)
6. Am I prepared to go to my pastor or elders on this person’s behalf if he refuses to listen to me?
7. Am I willing to commit to praying for this person’s healing and restoration before and after I confront him? (Matthew 26:41)
8. Is this offense truly a sin or simply an act of immaturity or preference? (Ephesians 4:2)
9. Am I acting in love? (1 Corinthians 13:1)
Summary
Galatians 6:1 tells us, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” When we are called to confront or rebuke a fellow believer, we must always do so in an attitude of humility, knowing that we too are prone to sin. We can follow Jesus’ golden words in this and every other situation: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12).
It can be avoided through self examination to see “whether you are in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless you are a counterfeit?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Some believers think they belong to their spouse, child or a friend and owe them allegiance. When we are born again we belong to God first unless you don’t trust Him or are a reprobate. God sacrificed His only begotten Son for you.
Source:
Gotquestions.org/rebuke-believer.html
