Love the Brethren: Internet Etiquette & Terms for Dismissal

​“This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
I John 1:5-7 

​“Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 
For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.” -John 5:19-20 
 
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”
-John 14:12

These passages show us the heart of the Father, this lines up perfectly with His character.  He is light, he is transparent, He has no ulterior motive   but is genuinely driven by benevolent love. Jesus came and exemplified this truth even to His own death on the cross. Jesus commended His own disciples when they displayed this same character. Remember Nathanael? “An Israelite[1] in whom is no guile[2].” So, we should ask ourselves are we being transparent? Are we operating from a clear conscience and a right heart motive?

[1] Jn. 1:47  [2] Websters’s 1828 Dictionary

​“In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”-I John 3:10

​This is the ultimate test for our Christian profession, do we love the brethren?

​“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”-I John 3:16

Are we laying down our lives for the brethren? What about on facebook, social media?

Here comes trouble! The designers of these platforms recognized many pitfalls in them. There are a plethora of articles online showing that these sites were designed to be addictive. It would be easy to write an article highlighting the idolatry which can spring up from abusing facebook and other social media. However, this is not the intent of this article. The reason for mentioning this, is that it is the writer’s supposition that social media addiction is the source of much of the unruly behavior we witness every day as we scroll through our newsfeeds. Every day, Christians are witnessed attacking other Christians without remorse or shame and that in front of the world. This article is not a call to dump social media but a plea for fellow Christians to act graciously while engaging in it. Recognize the pitfalls of the cyber world. Everyone likes having their comments ‘liked’ etc., how far are you willing to go to receive that attention and approval?

As a preacher I can attest to the pressure to be known as someone who stands for God without compromise. This “pressure” (though it would seem valid) is actually ungodly. The fact that there is pressure is a direct sign that it is just a thinly layered attempt to gain the approval of men. Jesus called us to enter into His rest[1]. We don’t have to prove we are someone who stands for God, we just have to be someone who stands for God. Love God with our heart, mind and strength, in doing this, we are called next to love our neighbor as ourselves. The question is naturally begged, “Who is our neighbor[2]?” The parable of the good Samaritan displays the benevolent love we ought to have for all of God’s creation. That said, the Epistle of John distinguishes this even deeper he commands us to love the “brethren”. The next question which arises is this: who is our brethren? Is it only those who on all points agree with us?

Let us make something clear, I John also gives us clear guidelines on how to discern the spirit of any doctrine presented. By these guidelines we can be sure that groups like the Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Catholics, and Muslims are not Christian groups. The biggest sign of this is the fact that each of these groups make these distinctions while among their own. They present themselves as Christian up until the point they win a convert then they immediately begin to speak against Christianity. There are doctrines that are clear all the way through the Bible which help us ‘know them by their fruit[3]’.

Now within the spectrum of evangelical Christianity there are many things which aren’t exactly crystal clear; different traditions observed, eschatological views, predestination/ free-will, atonement theories and on and on. While we may have passionate opinions regarding these issues, we would do wise to recognize that the person in opposition to your view may well be your brother, and, so you have a duty to treat him/her graciously. We see this distinction made in Titus, how to appeal to the brethren and all men for that matter.


[1] Mt. 10:28-30  [2] Lk. 10:25-37  [3] Mt. 7:16:21

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 
For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 
Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre's sake. 
One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;”
​-Titus 1:9-13
 
“Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 
To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”
-Titus 3:1-2 

This should give us a general understanding and guidelines for loving our neighbors and especially how to love the brethren. Meekness in no way implies that you have to be smiling, or pleased with every interaction or confrontation, remember ‘rebuke them sharply’. Confrontation is awkward and uncomfortable by its nature. Still, you shouldn’t add needless strife and personal (unrighteous) anger into the engagement. As was spoken already, before you get into any confrontation, check your own heart. If the issue is clear sin we have a duty to rebuke that. If it is a matter of some questionable doctrine then we should strive to show the reasons of our opposition (why we believe what we do) with a consistent life which reflects our beliefs. In all matters of doctrine, we need to rely on the Holy Ghost to bring us all to the truth.  We have been promised a word which ‘your adversary’ cannot ‘gainsay nor resist[1]’. When arguments are carried on unproductively, we should, each one of us consider our ways. Why is God’s clear promise not coming to pass?


[1] Lk. 21:14-15
​

Heretick- her’etic, noun, A person under any religion, but particularly the Christian, who holds and teaches opinions repugnant to the established faith, or that which is made the standard of orthodoxy. In strictness, among Christians, a person who holds and avows religious opinions contrary to the doctrines of Scripture, the only rule of faith and practice.”
-Webster’s 1828

​“But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 
A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject; 
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”-Titus 3:9-11

Avoid foolish questions, needless points of contention. As much as we ought to be bold in standing for the truth in matters that are clear; we ought also to be slow to remove a person from among us for some unclear doctrine. Does the person in question have a bad heart or have they given themselves to bad teachings? We need to be reasonable and as much as it is possible at peace with all men. We should be slow to use the term ‘heretic’ and notice the rules for dismissal: one and two admonitions. Give people a chance to consider what is being put before them. Knowing the goodness and terror of the Lord we persuade men[1]. When people are behind the safety of their computer screen they become so quick to chop’em and block’em. These are people who obviously haven’t considered that God is watching. Let us be kind to each other, especially the brethren. Give one another the benefit of the doubt. We have a charge to keep as Christians and it is a ministry of reconciliation.


[1] II Co. 5:11-18
​

​“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”-II Corinthians 5:19-20 

It takes courage to face people straight and it takes longsuffering to endure. We have been promised the fruit of the spirit and we need to operate in that promise. Temperance is another fruit of the Spirit which should come into play while engaging in social media. Discipline yourself to let some arguments go, scroll on… breathe in, breathe out it will be o.k. Spiritual maturity takes practice and these sites will put you to the test. In general, people act like it’s no holds barred when they get behind the keyboard. Don’t let that be you Christian. This is a good place to practice suffering for Christ.

​“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.”
-Romans 12:17-18

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”
​ -Philippians 4:8-9 
 
“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer or as a busy body in other men’s matters.
Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
-I Peter 4:15-18

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Daniel Rusk is currently serving as a street minister in Spokane, Washington.  He is waiting to begin campus ministry again with the
#CampusTruthProject