The following is an excerpt of communication between our team in the USA and a ministry on the field.  We decided to publish part of it here because it outlines our allegience to biblical understanding of correction among the brethren.  There are many anti-biblical perpectives among ministers even, and we must not fear to let the Scriptures lead when it comes to correcting such views.

Feel free to share with us your insights and comments!

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As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:21, “What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?” and “For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this.” 1 Corinthians 5:3

People ignorant of Scripture will say we should not call a brother to repent in judgment when in sin, but we read “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17.  Judgment begins in the body of believers, those outside the body are already judged if they don’t accept Jesus as Savior.

And Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:3 “I wrote as I did, so that when I came I would not be distressed by those who should have made me rejoice.” I do not wish to visit India in distress because of extra-biblical conduct that does not represent sound biblical teachings nor the core didactics of Messiah Missions. Messiah Missions affiliates are called to a higher calling, and people choosing to do what they think is right according to their own counsel is not acceptable.

What is your and my duty as a pastor and leader? To never accept anything that is outside of biblical revelation. Yes, we will not be liked very much, and there will be many offenses for those full of pride. But for those in spirit and humility… “Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness; let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it” (Ps. 141:5) and “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate you: rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.” Proverbs 9:7-8.

Yes, we must maintain prayer and fasting. We too have churches that seek members of other churches. The Barna survey wrote a couple years ago that the churches are not growing in the United States, rather, people are moving around from smaller churches to larger churches to get social needs met. God have mercy, where are the devoted followers of Jesus Christ who give their whole life away for the cause of Christ? Men seek comfort, nice homes and luxuries, reputation among neighbors, the good life, all the while leaving behind the Kingdom of God for worldly gain that will pass away in the fire!

“You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” James 4:4 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money [worldly gain].” Matthew 6:24 “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” Romans 8:7

We have to return and return again, where the mind and flesh is easily betrayed by the lures and lust of this world. We need to keep our eyes focused on the high calling in Christ Jesus alone. “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.” Mark 10:29 Does anyone actually understand this today?

Thank you for carefully reading my letter and consider the nature of holiness required of those called as “leaders” and Christians.

~ The Director