The Human Sanctuary and Temple of God-15 quotes

Many have been taught that you show more love for one another by remaining silent when sins are apparent in them, than you would by pointing out their wrongs. Now this position might be correct according to the way the world operates, but it is not correct according to God’s word.

“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Mark 10:21.

“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Proverbs 3:11-12.

“For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears (Paul was reproving church members for their sins and calling them to repentance and reformation); not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” 2 Corinthians 2:4.

The idea that you truly love someone by remaining silent and not pointing out their sins is incorrect, because these verses reveal that true Christ-like love includes correcting and reproving those who sin among us – even at times shedding tears in concern for their souls. In fact, it can take a greater amount of love for you to reprove one another, than it takes for you to remain silent.

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1.

“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. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 1:20-23.

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:12-15.

All these verses plainly reveal that we are not to remain silent when wrongs and sins are apparent among one or more of our brothers and sisters, but we are to point these sins out in loving concern for their souls, and then help them overcome and come up that much closer to God’s standard of truth and righteousness. And just as iron is used to sharpen iron, then sometimes sparks will fly as self rises up and comes against the reproof. But just because sparks fly does not mean that this process should stop, but instead it should wisely continue. This is because the only way to get the rough and dull edges ground away from each one of us is through varying degrees of pressure being applied until our lives are sharpened up for the Lord.

This reproving and correcting of our brothers and sisters for their wrongs and sins is to all be done out of love for their souls; not out of love for ourselves. It is to be done to help build them up in the Lord, not to build up ourselves in self-exaltation over them. It is to be done out of tender concern for them, not out of tender concern for our pride!

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32.

“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4.

What are we to do if someone who is very close to us should sin against us? Or what are we to do if someone who is having anger problems should sin against us? Or what are we to do if someone of great importance in our church or Movement should sin against us?

“My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?....If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” James 2:1-4, 8-9.

“I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” 1 Timothy 5:21.

We are not to be partial towards those whom we should warn and even rebuke for their wrongs and sins among us, and neither should we be afraid of doing this necessary correction – even towards those whom we know may not welcome what we say.

“And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words...nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.” Ezekiel 2:6-7.

None of us are not born with the precise knowledge of how to lovingly and correctly reprove one another. This means that we have to learn how to do this reproving and correcting in the proper way, and thus it is a process of trial and error. As this true, then sometimes we are not going to reprove and correct one another in the best possible way. Nerves or anxiety may cause us to express ourselves in an improper way and use wrong words; we may become too vague or even too blunt, and thus we may do it all wrong. Dear ones, you are going to make mistakes in reproving one another, even though your intentions are the best. So let us each keep it in mind that since we may not reprove or correct one another properly, then the same can be said for others seeking to reprove or correct us as well.

But irregardless of whether we are reproved and corrected in the best possible way, or in the worst possible way, how should all of us respond to each and every one of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are seeking to correct and reprove us of our sins?

“A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels...but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” Proverbs 1:5, 7-9.

“...be more ready to hear...Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing...Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin”. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, 6.

“A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent....The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 15:5, 31-33.

If self is fully crucified, and we are truly converted, then we will not refuse or despise the reproof. But we will first take some time to carefully, prayerfully and honestly investigate into our lives to see if the reproof and correction was justified, and we are indeed in sin. If we discover that they are correct and we are indeed in sin, then we will honestly, sincerely and fully repent for our sin, and with grateful and appreciative hearts thank those for loving us so much that they took the time to point out our sins so that we could be saved and not lost.

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:11-13.

Now, what if in our careful, prayerful and honest investigation into our lives we discover that the one who reproved us are not correct, and we are not in sin: what are we then to do? We are then to help them to understand where they are mistaken, and have misjudged us, and that they themselves should repent for falsely accusing us. But we can still be grateful and appreciative that they loved us enough to try and help us in areas which they thought we needed help in.

Since we are all of a fallen sinful nature, then it is not pleasant to our natures to be reproved for our sins. This is because pride is right at hand to eagerly come to the rescue and defend self. This selfish defense can be manifested in several different ways: denial and even outright lying to prevent our sins from being exposed; or anger at being reproved; or totally ignoring the correction and then attacking the one who reproved us, and many – even if they do not openly manifest any of the above reactions – will simply become hurt and offended at being rebuked or corrected by another.

What happens when we take offense and become hurt in feelings when we are reproved? Our hurt and offended feelings cause our Godly love for them to quickly begin to die out.

“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24:10-12.

If we allow our love to wax cold for any of our brothers or sisters in Christ, then there will be nothing to keep our pride in check, and self will then take complete control over our lives. And with self in control, then whatever love we had will quickly turn into hate, and especially will this hatred burn towards those who have reproved us.

“But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:22.

“...thou (wilt) mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!” Proverbs 5:11-13.

5) How can we keep our love for one another strong, and not allow it to wax cold and turn to hatred? How can we keep selfishness and pride dead, and instead allow Christlike love to be the ruling principle in our hearts?

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled”. Hebrews 12:14-15.

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21.

“Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:16-18.


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Sermon Quotes THE HUMAN SANCTUARY AND TEMPLE OF GOD, part 15 quotes 1) How Are We to Handle and Deal With Sin Problems Among Us? Many have been taught that you show more love for one another by remaining silent when sins are apparent in them, than you would by pointing out their wrongs. Now this position might be correct according to the way the world operates, but it is not correct according to God’s word. “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Mark 10:21. “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.” Proverbs 3:11-12. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” Revelation 3:19. “For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote unto you with many tears (Paul was reproving church members for their sins and calling them to repentance and reformation); not that ye should be grieved, but that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.” 2 Corinthians 2:4. The idea that you truly love someone by remaining silent and not pointing out their sins is incorrect, because these verses reveal that true Christ-like love includes correcting and reproving those who sin among us – even at times shedding tears in concern for their souls. In fact, it can take a greater amount of love for you to reprove one another, than it takes for you to remain silent. Here are some other Bible texts on helping our fellow brothers and sisters to see their wrongs and sins and to overcome them. “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1. “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. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” Jude 1:20-23. “Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:12-15. “...rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” Proverbs 9:8. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Proverbs 27:17. All these verses plainly reveal that we are not to remain silent when wrongs and sins are apparent among one or more of our brothers and sisters, but we are to point these sins out in loving concern for their souls, and then help them overcome and come up that much closer to God’s standard of truth and righteousness. And just as iron is used to sharpen iron, then sometimes sparks will fly as self rises up and comes against the reproof. But just because sparks fly does not mean that this process should stop, but instead it should wisely continue. This is because the only way to get the rough and dull edges ground away from each one of us is through varying degrees of pressure being applied until our lives are sharpened up for the Lord. This reproving and correcting of our brothers and sisters for their wrongs and sins is to all be done out of love for their souls; not out of love for ourselves. It is to be done to help build them up in the Lord, not to build up ourselves in self-exaltation over them. It is to be done out of tender concern for them, not out of tender concern for our pride! “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:31-32. “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4. 2) No Partiality in Warning and Even Rebuking Sin What are we to do if someone who is very close to us should sin against us? Or what are we to do if someone who is having anger problems should sin against us? Or what are we to do if someone of great importance in our church or Movement should sin against us? “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?....If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” James 2:1-4, 8-9. “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” Isaiah 58:1. “I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” 1 Timothy 5:21. We are not to be partial towards those whom we should warn and even rebuke for their wrongs and sins among us, and neither should we be afraid of doing this necessary correction – even towards those whom we know may not welcome what we say. “And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words...nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious.” Ezekiel 2:6-7. 3) How Are We to Respond If We Are Being Reproved and Rebuked for Our Actual Sins? None of us are not born with the precise knowledge of how to lovingly and correctly reprove one another. This means that we have to learn how to do this reproving and correcting in the proper way, and thus it is a process of trial and error. As this true, then sometimes we are not going to reprove and correct one another in the best possible way. Nerves or anxiety may cause us to express ourselves in an improper way and use wrong words; we may become too vague or even too blunt, and thus we may do it all wrong. Dear ones, you are going to make mistakes in reproving one another, even though your intentions are the best. So let us each keep it in mind that since we may not reprove or correct one another properly, then the same can be said for others seeking to reprove or correct us as well. But irregardless of whether we are reproved and corrected in the best possible way, or in the worst possible way, how should all of us respond to each and every one of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are seeking to correct and reprove us of our sins? “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalms 51:17. “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels...but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.” Proverbs 1:5, 7-9. “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. “...be more ready to hear...Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing...Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin”. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2, 6. “A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent....The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.” Proverbs 15:5, 31-33. “A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.” Proverbs 13:1. If self is fully crucified, and we are truly converted, then we will not refuse or despise the reproof. But we will first take some time to carefully, prayerfully and honestly investigate into our lives to see if the reproof and correction was justified, and we are indeed in sin. If we discover that they are correct and we are indeed in sin, then we will honestly, sincerely and fully repent for our sin, and with grateful and appreciative hearts thank those for loving us so much that they took the time to point out our sins so that we could be saved and not lost. “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life”. Proverbs 6:23. “He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction”. Proverbs 10:17. But more than this: their correction of us saved us from leading others out of the way because of our wrong example! “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” Hebrews 12:11-13. Now, what if in our careful, prayerful and honest investigation into our lives we discover that the one who reproved us are not correct, and we are not in sin: what are we then to do? We are then to help them to understand where they are mistaken, and have misjudged us, and that they themselves should repent for falsely accusing us. But we can still be grateful and appreciative that they loved us enough to try and help us in areas which they thought we needed help in. 4) As we were told “no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous”, then it is rarely a pleasant thing to be reproved for our sins. “Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way”. Proverbs 15:10. “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.” John 3:20. Since we are all of a fallen sinful nature, then it is not pleasant to our natures to be reproved for our sins. This is because pride is right at hand to eagerly come to the rescue and defend self. This selfish defense can be manifested in several different ways: denial and even outright lying to prevent our sins from being exposed; or anger at being reproved; or totally ignoring the correction and then attacking the one who reproved us, and many – even if they do not openly manifest any of the above reactions – will simply become hurt and offended at being rebuked or corrected by another. What happens when we take offense and become hurt in feelings when we are reproved? Our hurt and offended feelings cause our Godly love for them to quickly begin to die out. “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24:10-12. If we allow our love to wax cold for any of our brothers or sisters in Christ, then there will be nothing to keep our pride in check, and self will then take complete control over our lives. And with self in control, then whatever love we had will quickly turn into hate, and especially will this hatred burn towards those who have reproved us. “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” Galatians 4:16. “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” Proverbs 10:12. This hatred for one another is dangerous to our spiritual life! It is not something to cling to and cherish, but to cast it out of our hearts! “But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:22. What is the end result of all this selfish hatred being indulged in and cherished, instead of cast out and replaced with Godly love? “But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him”. Daniel 5:20. “...he that hateth reproof shall die.” Proverbs 15:10. “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1. “...thou (wilt) mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed, And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof; And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!” Proverbs 5:11-13. 5) How can we keep our love for one another strong, and not allow it to wax cold and turn to hatred? How can we keep selfishness and pride dead, and instead allow Christlike love to be the ruling principle in our hearts? "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20. “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled”. Hebrews 12:14-15. “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Hebrews 3:13. “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21. “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27. “Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:16-18.