Gospel Order

Go Here... Read this...

Here is a web address for the blog of Kevin Beck. I'm gob struck! I have, recently been disappointed with Quakers who do not follow gospel order on clearness and forgiveness. Well, here is part of Kevin's post on the root of our practice... with a brilliant observation. DO go to his blog and read the whole thing...
Transmillennial
Kevin Beck

Monday, May 22, 2006
Parousia...Heathens and Tax Collectors
Jesus’ closest friends seem to have been surprised the most by him. We find one surprising occasion in Matthew 18. Here, Jesus teaches his friends a scandalous lesson.





"Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that 'by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.' And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”





This passage seems pretty straightforward…a formula for church polity. If a church member is caught in a fault, bring it to her attention. If this fails to bring about true repentance, invite some witnesses to assist in resolving the conflict. If that doesn’t work, call the offender to the attention of the entire believing community. If this approach of last resort falls short, treat the wrongdoer like an outcast. ...

Now, that last line contains the cryptic surprise. At first glance, it may seem that Jesus advised the twelve to announce an anathema. Heathens and tax collectors are unclean and should be avoided at all costs.





Or should they?





How did Jesus treat heathens and tax collectors? With disdain and avoidance? No, he welcomed them…talked with them…touched them…ate with them…forgave them. Just ask Matthew, a tax collector who was one of the twelve.





This week, you may encounter someone who offends you. Someone who seeks the spotlight at your expense. Someone whose language, ethnicity, politics, work habits, appearance, smell, economic status, or lifestyle insults you. When this occurs, follow the words of Jesus. Treat that person like a heathen and tax collector. Love them, welcome them, and forgive them.

Oh my... what more need be said, Friends