For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
And if they were all one member, where were the body?
But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.
That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15-17
Two or Three Witnesses
A brother once shared that the wisdom God gives us in how to handle disputes is very similar to how He deals with us in our trespasses against Him. When there are things in our lives that God does not like, He comes to us directly to put light on those things through personal conviction by His Holy Spirit. If we do not take heed, He will send two or three witnesses to confirm the word of the Spirit. If even then we do not turn, He will expose the issue before the church. If our heart is hardened still, we become like the heathen.
Consider how each of these steps illustrates the character of God. He continually works to turn us from sin. God is longsuffering, and there is a whole lot of 'stepping over' we must do to go around His commands. He gets no pleasure in damning people to hell, but desires that men repent and live (Ezekiel 18:23-32, 33:11; Luke 15:20-24; II Peter 2:9). Therefore, He gives us plenty of space to do so.
Mercy
So many are focused on whether Eddie Long coerced young men into sexual relationships. While this indeed is a serious charge, I would like to bring your attention to the mercies of God. Our eyes are often too LOW. The bigger question in this matter is what is God doing?
Mercies are being poured out on Eddie Long as the 'man-made image' built and sustained by false religion is torn down. Mercies are being poured out on the congregation of New Birth Baptist Church so that the idolatry of Babylon is exposed. Mercies are being poured out on these young men, so that they can get the help and deliverance needed. Everything that is an obstacle to people worshiping God in Spirit and Truth is being revealed by God Himself so that man can truly be reconciled unto Him. This is mercy.
"Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments." - Psalm 119:156
Sometimes, we forget who God is and what He is doing in drawing all men unto Himself (John 12:32). It is His desire for all to come to repentance and be saved (Acts 17:30; I Timothy 2:4). God is not some tyrant looking for any and every reason to cast men aside. On the contrary, He is a sovereign God who so loves mankind, that He gave His own life for us. He is a holy and just God who gives us every opportunity to be reconciled to Him, so that man will be without excuse (Romans 1:20).
Those who profess the name of Jesus Christ can no longer continue to "play church" while elevating, excusing, and entertaining teachers who soothe itching ears. How long will men continue to follow the way of Balaam, forsaking truth for the wages of unrighteousness?
Jesus' hand is not so short that He cannot save. Forget about what you think you look like before men and fear them not. It is time for each person to search their own hearts and cry out for God to straighten every perverse way, for how shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? We should never mistake God's longsuffering for weakness, for mercy can swiftly turn to judgment.
"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." - I Chronicles 28:9
Advice and Prayer
In the video below from Omega Church & Ministries Center, Pastor Gary C. Price addresses this issue and lays out why it is so important to pray during this time.
