Reproving.
This is kindred to judging, and so these are here closely associated. The Duty of reproving should be discharged with discretion.
I. THE REPROVING OF A BROTHER SHOULD BE CONSIDERATE.
1. Reproof is a precious and holy thing.
(a) Saves souls from death (see James 5:19, James 5:20).
(b) Frees our souls from the guilt of complicity.
(c) Leaves the sinner without excuse. So the fidelity of Noah condemned the antediluvians (Hebrews 11:7).
2. The office of reprover should not be lightly undertaken.
II. THE INCORRIGIBLY WICKED ARE BEYOND REPROOF.
1. They are described as dogs and swine.
2. Their dispositions are brutish.
3. Let tide incorrigible alone.
LESSONS.
1. There are degrees in sin—the mote as compared with the beam.
2. There are those who have the beam in the eye, but do not consider it. They justify their enormities by pleading that "others do worse."
3. He is no enemy to sin who does not hate it in himself.
4. Let reproof begin at home.
5. Let the severity of our reproving be restrained by consideration of our own frailty.—J.A.M.