And 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.
2 Thessalonians 3:14-15
This is the seminal verse on disfellowship. It is the passage that interprets the other verses about this extreme discipline. Sometimes we have to break fellowship with a brother (or sister) to let them know we are serious about confronting sin. We are also able to do this when they disobey scripture--disobey scripture not disobey us. Even when we believe this final discipline is necessary we are to gently warn them like a brother not cut them off like an enemy. Even when Paul is forced to “turn the brother over to Satan” the goal is the brother’s righteousness, continued salvation and restoration to fellowship.
We mustn’t count each other as enemies no matter how bitter the dispute. Our friendship may be strained beyond repair but our relationship in Christ supersedes even our friendship. Think of Paul and Barnabas who scripture says were in such disagreement that they split up their ministry into two separate ones. They didn’t try to attack the other person they just went on their own ways. Our prayer for those we are in disagreement with needs to be for their blessings as a brother and not for judgment like an enemy.
Lord, we pray for those who have separated from us in disagreement and ask you to bless them in Christ and to make us all like you in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.
Counting Brothers,
Pastor Jason
*get a job in the context of this passage
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