Page 180 - Push Back

tax-gatherer.”

Diagram of Church Discipline
(Note that the dashed line indicates an incorrect response. The solid line, a godly response.)

The expression, “let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax-gatherer” parallels Paul’s counsel to not
associate with immoral brethren, and to not even eat with them. The church has fallen into
profound error as they have failed to “rightly divide” the word of God. A significant number
within the body of Christ focus on a limited number of Scriptures that warn Christians against
judging others. Verses such as the following are repeated ad infinitum.

Matthew 7:1-5
“Do not judge lest you be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your
standard of measure, it will be measured to you. And why do you look at the speck that is in your
brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your
brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You
hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck
out of your brother's eye.”

Contrary to many people’s belief, this passage is NOT telling Christ’s disciples to forego
judging. It is a warning against hypocritical judgment. Yahshua is warning men and women that
they cannot judge others by a strict and unforgiving standard, and judge themselves by a more
lenient measure. This matter is clarified in other passages.

Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”