KEY SCRIPTURE:1Ti 5:20 KJV “Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.”

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Dear reader, if you happened to be reading this devotional for the first time, or a patron, I wish to  remind  all readers that  we are taking an expository study on Apostle Paul’s first letter to Pastor Timothy. The main theme is “proper running of God’s  church”.At this instant, he advises him on correcting acts of sin in the church. He tells him to openly rebuke the sinful act so others may not go that way. This is very important advice and creates sanctity in the house of God. Please note that the church of God is called the pillar and ground of truth.1 Timothy 3:15. Acts of sin should not be tolerated in the midst of the saints of God.

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Sin is contagious, and many would easily go down the wrong path if it is not shown as an act which is not acceptable in the midst of the people of God.

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The question that comes to mind is which kind of sin ought to attract such public rebuke. I do not think acts like gossiping , outbursts of anger and certain attitudinal slips should be brought to the public domain, although they are all serious acts that need not be tolerated in any way. I will suggest that the following acts should be critically treated with great sternness.

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1 Sexual sins. It is the category that the scripture itself places in a special position 1Co 6:18 KJV “Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.” It says every other sin does not affect the body ,yet sexual sins affect the body. Sexual sins or fornication include sex between a  man and a woman who are not married. Lesbians, homosexuals, etc.

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2 Insobodination of the young to  elders or pastors. This concerns open rebellion. 1Sa 15:23 KJV For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. Open pride and insubordination are very serious acts that must be stopped before others go that way

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3.Brawling: When two brethren physically exchange blows in the church or before a number of the church members. Such brethren must be openly rebuked  since it is a great reproach to the name of Christ.

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My counsel about doing some of these disciplines is to consider the maturity level of the individuals involved in some of these things. If the person is a convert who commits any of these things, he or she must be spoken to in private, since rebuking them openly may cause them to leave the church and go back into the world again. Those who have been in the church for some years should be openly rebuked when they commit some of the acts described above.

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THOUGHT:OPEN REBUĶE  DEFINITELY CREATES  FEAR IN OTHERS

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FURTHER STUDIES

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Pro 27:5 KJV Open rebuke is better than secret love.

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Pro 27:6 KJV: Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”