Fellowship and Honesty The relationship between Biblical clarity, a man’s honesty, and the limits...

Fellowship and HonestyFellowship and Honesty

The relationship between The relationship between Biblical clarity, a man’s Biblical clarity, a man’s honesty, and the limits of our honesty, and the limits of our fellowshipfellowship

Ed Harrell: Ed Harrell: “Homer Hailey: False Teacher?”“Homer Hailey: False Teacher?” (Christianity Magazine / November 1988 p.9)(Christianity Magazine / November 1988 p.9)

““Several principles come into Several principles come into play when one decides the limits play when one decides the limits of fellowship. Clearly, one must of fellowship. Clearly, one must consider the honesty of the other consider the honesty of the other person, and his apparent person, and his apparent sincerity in following God’s sincerity in following God’s directions (Ro.14:1-6) .”directions (Ro.14:1-6) .”

Ed Harrell: Ed Harrell: “The Bounds of Christian Unity 7”“The Bounds of Christian Unity 7” (Christianity Magazine / August 1989 p.6)(Christianity Magazine / August 1989 p.6)

““I do not have fellowship with a I do not have fellowship with a brother because he claims to brother because he claims to have an honest mind, but have an honest mind, but because I judge him to have the because I judge him to have the mind of Christ.”mind of Christ.”

““Fellowship is not based on Fellowship is not based on another’s profession, but on my another’s profession, but on my judgment of his spirit.”judgment of his spirit.”

Ed Harrell: Ed Harrell: “The Bounds of Christian Unity 7”“The Bounds of Christian Unity 7” (Christianity Magazine / August 1989 p.6)(Christianity Magazine / August 1989 p.6)

““My decision does not depend on My decision does not depend on another’s assertion that he has a another’s assertion that he has a clear conscience, but on my clear conscience, but on my assessment of his faithfulness to assessment of his faithfulness to God’s directions.”God’s directions.”

““In short, I company with those In short, I company with those whom whom I judgeI judge to be to be honestlyhonestly striving to follow God’s teachings.” striving to follow God’s teachings.” (emphasis mine, BH)(emphasis mine, BH)

Ed Harrell on Determining HonestyEd Harrell on Determining Honesty

““How do I judge the honesty of a How do I judge the honesty of a brother who misses the point of a brother who misses the point of a scriptural instruction that seems scriptural instruction that seems clear to me? Let me suggest clear to me? Let me suggest several tests that we use - several tests that we use - knowingly or unknowingly.”knowingly or unknowingly.”

(Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian (Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity 8”. Christianity Magazine / Unity 8”. Christianity Magazine / September 1989 p.6)September 1989 p.6)


““First, is his argument plainly First, is his argument plainly flawed, is it inherently illogical, flawed, is it inherently illogical, or is it possible for a reasonable, or is it possible for a reasonable, godly man to believe?godly man to believe?



““Second, is his position an Second, is his position an attempt at self justification, is it attempt at self justification, is it self-serving?self-serving?



““Third, and perhaps most Third, and perhaps most important, how do I view the important, how do I view the general character and behavior general character and behavior of the brother?”of the brother?”


Ed Harrell’s Test of HonestyEd Harrell’s Test of Honesty

Not based on the BibleNot based on the Bible No scriptures givenNo scriptures given

Based on human perception and Based on human perception and wisdomwisdom My impression of a man has often been My impression of a man has often been

wrongwrong Requires unrighteous judgmentRequires unrighteous judgment

Highly subjectiveHighly subjective Open to personal preference and prejudiceOpen to personal preference and prejudice

God’s Test of HonestyGod’s Test of Honesty

DivineDivine Never WrongNever Wrong

Fool-proofFool-proof Doesn’t rely upon imperfect human Doesn’t rely upon imperfect human

perceptionperception UniversalUniversal

Applies to all men and women Applies to all men and women everywhereeverywhere

Accessible to everyoneAccessible to everyone

Ed Harrell on H. Hailey’s HonestyEd Harrell on H. Hailey’s Honesty

““I am impressed by the erudition I am impressed by the erudition and sincerity of his arguments.”and sincerity of his arguments.”

(Ed Harrell – “Homer Hailey: False (Ed Harrell – “Homer Hailey: False Teacher?” Christianity Magazine / Teacher?” Christianity Magazine / November 1988 p.6).November 1988 p.6).


““I think I see flaws in brother Hailey’s I think I see flaws in brother Hailey’s reasoning on the subject of divorce reasoning on the subject of divorce and remarriage, but I have never for and remarriage, but I have never for a moment doubted his integrity, his a moment doubted his integrity, his character, or his devout desire to character, or his devout desire to please God.”please God.”



““How do I judge the honesty of a brotherHow do I judge the honesty of a brother who misses the point of a scriptural who misses the point of a scriptural instruction that seems clear to me? Let me instruction that seems clear to me? Let me suggest several tests that we use - suggest several tests that we use - knowingly or unknowingly.”knowingly or unknowingly.” (emp. mine, BH)(emp. mine, BH)

““First, is his argument plainly flawedFirst, is his argument plainly flawed, is it , is it inherently illogical, or is it possible for a inherently illogical, or is it possible for a reasonable, godly man to believe?reasonable, godly man to believe? (emphasis (emphasis mine, BH)mine, BH)

(Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity 8”. (Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity 8”. Christianity Magazine / September 1989 p.6)Christianity Magazine / September 1989 p.6)


““I think I think I see flaws in brother Hailey’s I see flaws in brother Hailey’s reasoningreasoning on the subject of divorce on the subject of divorce and remarriage, and remarriage, butbut I have never for I have never for a moment doubted his integrity, his a moment doubted his integrity, his character, or his devout desire to character, or his devout desire to please God.”please God.” (emphasis mine, BH)(emphasis mine, BH)



““I judge him to be one of the most I judge him to be one of the most godly and learned men I have ever godly and learned men I have ever known. … Finding him always willing known. … Finding him always willing to probe those questions where his to probe those questions where his views conflicted with mine. In my views conflicted with mine. In my mind, that is not the stuff of which mind, that is not the stuff of which false teachers are made.”false teachers are made.”(Ed Harrell – “Homer Hailey: False (Ed Harrell – “Homer Hailey: False Teacher?” Christianity Magazine / Teacher?” Christianity Magazine / November 1988 p.9).November 1988 p.9).


““A false teacher is surely one A false teacher is surely one whose dishonest motives and / or whose dishonest motives and / or ignorance distinguish him from the ignorance distinguish him from the sincere brother who has reached sincere brother who has reached an erroneous conclusion.”an erroneous conclusion.”


Ed Harrell on Honesty and Ed Harrell on Honesty and Scriptural ClarityScriptural Clarity

““In previous articles I have noted that In previous articles I have noted that the bounds of Christian unity require the bounds of Christian unity require judgments about the clarity of biblical judgments about the clarity of biblical instruction and, by extension, about instruction and, by extension, about the honesty of a person who claims to the honesty of a person who claims to be my brother. be my brother. Those two judgments Those two judgments are inextricably tied togetherare inextricably tied together.” .” (emp. (emp. mine BWH)mine BWH)

(Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity (Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity 7”. Christianity Magazine / August 1989 p. 6)7”. Christianity Magazine / August 1989 p. 6)

Ed Harrell on Biblical ClarityEd Harrell on Biblical Clarity

““It means that we acknowledge It means that we acknowledge that we are not always certain that we are not always certain about sin.”about sin.”

(Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian (Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity 3”. Christianity Magazine / April Unity 3”. Christianity Magazine / April 1989 p.6)1989 p.6)


““All of God’s instructions are equally All of God’s instructions are equally important (though, as we shall see in important (though, as we shall see in subsequent articles, subsequent articles, all may not be all may not be equally clearequally clear) - whether dealing ) - whether dealing with… the Christian and war,… or with… the Christian and war,… or marriage and divorcemarriage and divorce.” .” (emp. mine, BH)(emp. mine, BH)

(Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian (Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity 3”. Christianity Magazine / April Unity 3”. Christianity Magazine / April 1989 p.6)1989 p.6)


““Those who love and respect God Those who love and respect God and who sustain their beliefs with and who sustain their beliefs with Biblical argument do not always Biblical argument do not always agree. Such a confession agree. Such a confession acknowledges a variability in Biblical acknowledges a variability in Biblical clarity”clarity”

(Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian (Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity 7” - Christianity Magazine / August Unity 7” - Christianity Magazine / August 1989 p.6)1989 p.6)


““One can only speculate why One can only speculate why God left us in such an unsettled God left us in such an unsettled predicamentpredicament.” .” (emphasis mine, BH)(emphasis mine, BH)


Dee Bowman: Dee Bowman: Letter to Jarrod JacobsLetter to Jarrod Jacobs (September 10, 1993)(September 10, 1993)

““While I may not agree with every single While I may not agree with every single thing brother Harrell says, I am in general thing brother Harrell says, I am in general agreement with what he has written on agreement with what he has written on the subject of fellowship. I believe that we the subject of fellowship. I believe that we can, and do, have fellowship with people can, and do, have fellowship with people with whom we disagree over matters of with whom we disagree over matters of faith, but only faith, but only if I determine that they are if I determine that they are honesthonest, and share my convictions that the , and share my convictions that the Bible is the final authority on any religious Bible is the final authority on any religious matter.” matter.” (emphasis mine, BH)(emphasis mine, BH)

Mt.13 on Honesty & Biblical ClarityMt.13 on Honesty & Biblical Clarity

(v.10)(v.10) “Why do you speak to them “Why do you speak to them in parables?”in parables?”

(v.11)(v.11) “Because it has been given “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.”them it has not been given.”


(v.12)(v.12) “For whoever has, to him more will “For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”he has will be taken away from him.”

(v.13)(v.13) “Therefore I speak to them in “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”do they understand.”


The ProblemThe Problem (v.14) (v.14) Hearing you will hear and shall not Hearing you will hear and shall not

understandunderstand Seeing you will see and not perceiveSeeing you will see and not perceive

The CauseThe Cause (v.15) (v.15) For the hearts of this people have grown For the hearts of this people have grown

dulldull Their ears are hard of hearingTheir ears are hard of hearing Their eyes they have closedTheir eyes they have closed

The ResultThe Result No understanding - No healing (forgiveness)No understanding - No healing (forgiveness)


““But he who received seed on the good But he who received seed on the good ground is he who ground is he who hearshears the word and the word and understandsunderstands it, who indeed it, who indeed bears fruitbears fruit and and producesproduces” ” (Mt.13:23)(Mt.13:23)

““But that on the But that on the good groundgood ground are they, are they, which in an which in an honesthonest and and good heartgood heart, , having heard the word, keep it, and having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience” bring forth fruit with patience” (Lk.8:15 (Lk.8:15 KJV)KJV)

““Good groundGood ground” equals “” equals “good heartgood heart””


The ‘Good (honest) Heart’:The ‘Good (honest) Heart’: RECEIVES the WordRECEIVES the Word

He is willing to listen to, and consider He is willing to listen to, and consider the Truththe Truth

UNDERSTANDS the WordUNDERSTANDS the Word He perceives the TruthHe perceives the Truth

BEARS the FRUIT of the WordBEARS the FRUIT of the Word Not false teaching. True obedience Not false teaching. True obedience

conformed to the Truthconformed to the Truth


The Good GroundThe Good Ground:: ACCEPTS the SeedACCEPTS the Seed

MAKES PROPER USE of the SeedMAKES PROPER USE of the Seed

BEARS FRUIT from the SeedBEARS FRUIT from the Seed


Fruit is determined by the Fruit is determined by the qualityquality of the of the seedseed and theand the soilsoil

Is the Seed (Is the Seed (the Word of Godthe Word of God) ) good?good?

Then the only variable is the soil Then the only variable is the soil ((the man’s heartthe man’s heart))

The Word Manifests The HeartThe Word Manifests The Heart

This makes it possible to This makes it possible to ““judge judge with righteous judgmentwith righteous judgment”” (Jo.7:24)(Jo.7:24)

““Do not judge according to Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” righteous judgment.” (Jo.7:24)(Jo.7:24)



““He who rejects Me, and does not He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that receive My words, has that which judges him - which judges him - the word that the word that I have spoken will judge himI have spoken will judge him in in the last day”the last day” (Jo.12:48) (Jo.12:48)



““In the day when God will judge In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, Christ, according to my gospelaccording to my gospel” ” (Ro.2:16)(Ro.2:16)


This makes it possible to This makes it possible to ““judge with judge with righteous judgmentrighteous judgment”” (Jo.7:24)(Jo.7:24)

““For the word of God is living and For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and marrow, and is a discerner of the and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heartthoughts and intents of the heart” ” (He.4:12-13)(He.4:12-13)


This makes it possible to This makes it possible to ““judge with judge with righteous judgmentrighteous judgment”” (Jo.7:24)(Jo.7:24) “ … “ … It was necessary that It was necessary that the word of the word of

GodGod should be spoken to you first; but should be spoken to you first; but since since you reject ityou reject it, and , and judge judge yourselvesyourselves unworthy of everlasting life, unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles’ ” behold, we turn to the Gentiles’ ” (Ac.13:46)(Ac.13:46)

Thus men judge themselves, or their Thus men judge themselves, or their heart by their response to the Truthheart by their response to the Truth



(Mt.7:6)(Mt.7:6) “Do not give what is holy to the “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine… swine… (v.16)(v.16) you will know them by you will know them by their fruits… their fruits… (v.17-18)(v.17-18) every good tree every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit”fruit”



““In this the children of God and the In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God… ” righteousness is not of God… ” (1Jo.3:10) (1Jo.3:10)

Thus a man’s obedience to the Word, Thus a man’s obedience to the Word, or lack thereof, manifests his heart.or lack thereof, manifests his heart.


This is how we This is how we ““test the spiritstest the spirits””

““Beloved, do not believe every spirit, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but but test the spirits, whether they are test the spirits, whether they are of Godof God; because many false prophets ; because many false prophets have gone out into the world… (v.6) have gone out into the world… (v.6) … … He who knows God hears us; he He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of errorand the spirit of error.” .” (1Jo.4:1) (1Jo.4:1)


This is how we This is how we ““test the spiritstest the spirits””“… “… And you have tested those who say And you have tested those who say

they are apostles and are not, and they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.” have found them liars.” (Re.2:2)(Re.2:2)

““Test all things; hold fast what is good.” Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1Th.5:21)(1Th.5:21)

The Word is the litmus paper of doctrine. The Word is the litmus paper of doctrine. When we show it (the Word) to men it When we show it (the Word) to men it becomes the litmus paper of their heartbecomes the litmus paper of their heart


This is how divisions make This is how divisions make manifest “those who are manifest “those who are approved”approved”

““For For there must also be factionsthere must also be factions among you, among you, that those who are that those who are approved may be recognizedapproved may be recognized among you” among you” (1Co.11:19)(1Co.11:19)


This is how divisions make manifest This is how divisions make manifest “those who are approved”“those who are approved”

““They went our from us, but they were They went our from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; they would have continued with us; but but they went out that they might be they went out that they might be made manifestmade manifest, that none of them , that none of them were of us.” were of us.” (1Jo.2:19)(1Jo.2:19)

Eph.5:8-17 on Honesty and Biblical Eph.5:8-17 on Honesty and Biblical ClarityClarity

The Fruit of the Spirit is Truth The Fruit of the Spirit is Truth (v.9)(v.9) Light makes manifest Light makes manifest (v.13)(v.13) We We can find out what is acceptablecan find out what is acceptable

(v.10)(v.10) ifif we… we… Wake up – open our eyes to Truth Wake up – open our eyes to Truth (v.14)(v.14) Walk circumspectly Walk circumspectly (v.15)(v.15) Redeem the time Redeem the time (v.16)(v.16)

Thus we will “Thus we will “understand what the understand what the will of the Lord iswill of the Lord is” ” (v.17)(v.17)

What Do We Mean By ‘Honesty’What Do We Mean By ‘Honesty’

One who wants to know the One who wants to know the Truth Truth (Ac.17:11)(Ac.17:11)

One who wants to obey the TruthOne who wants to obey the Truth

Thus, one who ‘loves the Truth’Thus, one who ‘loves the Truth’

How May I Know That…How May I Know That…

One wants to One wants to knowknow the truth? the truth? He will seek the truth and find it He will seek the truth and find it

(Mt.7:7-8)(Mt.7:7-8)

““Ask and it will be given to you; seek, Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”be opened.”


One wants to One wants to obeyobey the truth? the truth? He will understand the truth and He will understand the truth and

obey it obey it (Jo.7:17)(Jo.7:17)

““If anyone wills to do His will, he If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the shall know concerning the doctrine…”doctrine…”


One One lovesloves the truth? the truth? He will not believe a lie He will not believe a lie (2Th.2:10-11)(2Th.2:10-11)

““with all with all unrighteous deceptionunrighteous deception among among those who perish, those who perish, because they did because they did not receive the love of the truthnot receive the love of the truth, that , that they might be saved. they might be saved. And for this And for this reason reason God will send them strong God will send them strong delusion, that they should delusion, that they should believe the believe the lielie””


One One lovesloves the truth? the truth? He will hate error He will hate error (Ps.119:104)(Ps.119:104)

““Through Your precepts I get Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.”every false way.”

He will follow Truth wherever it He will follow Truth wherever it takes himtakes him

Remember the Quote…Remember the Quote…

““In previous articles I have noted that In previous articles I have noted that the bounds of Christian unity require the bounds of Christian unity require judgments about judgments about the clarity of biblical the clarity of biblical instructioninstruction and, by extension, about and, by extension, about the the honesty of a personhonesty of a person who claims to be who claims to be my brother. my brother. Those two judgments are Those two judgments are inextricably tied togetherinextricably tied together.”.” (emp. mine, BH)(emp. mine, BH)

(Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity (Ed Harrell – “The Bounds of Christian Unity 7”. Christianity Magazine / August 1989 p. 6)7”. Christianity Magazine / August 1989 p. 6)

Honesty and Biblical ClarityHonesty and Biblical Clarity

Honesty and Biblical clarity are Honesty and Biblical clarity are “inextricably tied together”“inextricably tied together” because God has revealed His because God has revealed His Word in such a way that:Word in such a way that: Those who do not love the Truth Those who do not love the Truth

will not understand it will not understand it (2Th.2:10-11)(2Th.2:10-11)


Honesty and Biblical clarity are Honesty and Biblical clarity are “inextricably tied together”“inextricably tied together” because God has revealed His because God has revealed His Word in such a way that:Word in such a way that: Those who are not willing to obey Those who are not willing to obey

the Truth will not understand it the Truth will not understand it (Jo.7:17)(Jo.7:17)


Honesty and Biblical clarity are Honesty and Biblical clarity are “inextricably tied together”“inextricably tied together” because God has revealed His because God has revealed His Word in such a way that:Word in such a way that: Those who are not spiritually Those who are not spiritually

minded will not understand it minded will not understand it (2Co.2:14) (Jo.6:60) (Ro.8:5-7) (Jo.4:23)(2Co.2:14) (Jo.6:60) (Ro.8:5-7) (Jo.4:23)

Why Some Fail To See The TruthWhy Some Fail To See The Truth

Is it God’s fault?Is it God’s fault? God wants all men to be saved and God wants all men to be saved and

to come to a knowledge of the truth to come to a knowledge of the truth (1Ti.2:3-4)(1Ti.2:3-4)

““For this is good and acceptable in For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the come to the knowledge of the truth.”truth.”


Is it God’s fault?Is it God’s fault? He says that the Word is able to He says that the Word is able to

accomplish everything necessary accomplish everything necessary to save mento save men

(Ro.1:16) (Jo.5:25)(Ro.1:16) (Jo.5:25) (Ac.20:32) (1Pe.2:2)(Ac.20:32) (1Pe.2:2) (2Ti.3:16-17)(2Ti.3:16-17)


Is it God’s fault?Is it God’s fault? He says that the Word will do what He He says that the Word will do what He

wants it to do wants it to do (Is.55:10-11)(Is.55:10-11) ““For as the rain comes down and the For as the rain comes down and the

snow from heaven and do not return snow from heaven and do not return there… there… So shall my word beSo shall my word be that goes that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but to me void, but it shall accomplish what it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent itthing for which I sent it.”.”


Then where is the problem?Then where is the problem? Race? Skin color? Geographic Race? Skin color? Geographic

location?location?

Is God a respecter of persons? Is God a respecter of persons? (Ac.10:34)(Ac.10:34)

Didn’t God deliver a Word that can Didn’t God deliver a Word that can penetrate any disadvantage that I penetrate any disadvantage that I have that is out of my control?have that is out of my control?


The only variable left is my heartThe only variable left is my heart IntellectIntellect:: What I am willing to know or What I am willing to know or

understandunderstand WillWill:: What I am willing to do or how far I What I am willing to do or how far I

am willing to goam willing to go EmotionEmotion:: What I am willing to love or What I am willing to love or

hatehate These three compose my honestyThese three compose my honesty I control all of theseI control all of these

Determining HonestyDetermining Honesty

If a man is If a man is honestly mistakenhonestly mistaken about a Bible truth, when he is about a Bible truth, when he is shown the Truth he will either shown the Truth he will either quit being quit being mistakenmistaken or he will or he will quit being quit being honesthonest (Ac.18:24-28)(Ac.18:24-28) (Mt.19:16-22)(Mt.19:16-22) (Jo.3:19-21)(Jo.3:19-21)

Fellowship and Honesty The relationship between Biblical clarity, a man’s honesty, and the limits...

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