(Cont. from Page 1/10/95A).
 

One may ask: What happens to those who compromise their faith in order to be accepted by worldly people? On succumbing to compromise, they ruin their consciences by practicing immorality. Conscience is the means by which we protect our spirits from such moral degradation. But if we habitually surrender to what we know to be wrong, our standard of morals and spiritual perception gradually diminish, until we became weak-willed and easily swayed by all kinds of Godless notions.  (1 Tim 6:3-5).

To be ostracized for some considerable time may prove difficult for some. Even Noah had the comfort of an obedient family in the Lord. Being isolated by the Godless ways of unbelievers and their 'Babylonian' culture does create some difficulties, and separation from them is usually met with hatred. (1 Peter 4:3,4). Thankfully, our Lord gave his people advanced warning of this. And because Godless unbelievers are "veiled" as to living a holy life, followers of The Christ never feel truly at ease in their company.  (2 Cor 4:3,4 NEB).

Members of sects falsely claiming to serve God ostracize from their company those refusing to submit to their self  serving apostate interpretations of the Word of God. When their apostate error is refuted by the truth of the Holy  Scriptures, they ostracize the one exposing their sins that they might continue their shameful conduct without discomfiture. But this will result in torments for them. (2 Esdras 7:79-87 NEB). Such ones may once have been "swept  clean and adorned", but have allowed themselves to be overcome by the return of demon spirits exploiting weaknesses they were not willing to correct. The Christ will not remove "things that cause  stumbling" from persons "doing lawlessness", for they are to be pitched into the "fiery  furnace".  (Matt 12:44.  13:41,42).

Faithful ones making spiritual progress in the truth of God's Word gain comfort from the fact that persecution and  ostracism have had no detrimental effect on their faith. They are happy to suffer for righteousness' sake.  (1 Peter 3:13-17).  But unpleasant as some situations may be, they serve to strengthen our faith and resolve against the demonic activities of rebellious ones. As our minds and spirits are cleansed of the wickedness of this world, why squander one's hope of everlasting life for the sake of unbelieving and/or apostate friends of this world?  They are not true friends, but are enemies of God.  (James 4:4.  2 Peter 2:20-22).

As to disassociation from faithful servants of God, its sole purpose is to regain an offender through their feelings of  shame and remorse, to remind them of the seriousness of their sin(s), and to bring them to their senses.  (2 Thess 3:13-15.  1 Cor 5:11-13).

Finally, as to those described in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 as the "man of lawlessness", the destructive nature of their ostracism of faithful servants of God is revealed. Of them the Lord prophesied: "Hear the word of Jehovah, you  men who are trembling at his word:  "Your brothers that are hating you, that are excluding you by reason of My Name, said, 'May Jehovah be glorified!' He must also appear with rejoicing on your part, and they are the ones that will be put to shame."  (Isaiah 66:5).

OSTRACISM:

Banishment by general consent, exclusion
from society, favour, or common privileges.

1/10/95B.
 

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