Tolerance?

2 Thess 3:13-16
13But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 14And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Sometimes we are too tolerant of trouble makers in the body. This is not the only place were we are told to not keep company with brothers and sisters in the Lord who are in rebellion and are causing dissension and discord. We need to avoid fellowship with them “that they may be ashamed”. It is not a bad thing to make someone feel ashamed if they are in sin. It is only then that they will be compelled to repent and be restored. We get too scared to push people away, but in truth, it would be better if we did, because then they would be in a position to be restored.
We need to remember that they are not enemies, but brothers or sisters in danger. It is our duty to admonish, or warn them, of the danger they are in. If we remain quite in the name of tolerance, or "understanding" we sell them out for our comfort and potentially offer them over to a death sentence, and at the same time voluntarily allow a deadly poison to dwell within our camp.

2John 10-11
10If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement. 11Anyone who encourages such people becomes a partner in their evil work.

We are not doing anyone any favors by trying to be sympathetic. We are just encouraging there sin and ignorance and actually becoming a partner in there sin.

2Cor 7:9-10
9Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death

If they are never allowed to feel shame, how can they repent. If they don't repent, how can they be restored.

It is never easy to be "hard" on people, but it is necessary. I believe that there has been a period of grace for those believers who are living on the edge, with one foot in the church, and one in the world, to give us a season to prepare us for what Gods wants to do. But that period is coming to an end. The spirit of God is moving forward, and those not up to the challenge will be crushed between the "flood of dissipation" and the River of God, leaving them crippled, incapacitated, and even dead. This ministry is going forward!!
Keep us in prayer, for tomorrow night begins the Binghamton Outreach. We are in great anticipation of what God is going to do.

Ever in motion,
Pastor Josh