WFT- repudiate

14 June 2009

The Merriam-Webster Word of the Day for May 16th was repudiate and they provided this definition:

1 : to refuse to have anything to do with : disown 2 : to refuse to acknowledge, accept, or pay

Here is the etymology M-W provided:

In Latin, the noun "repudium" refers to the rejection of a spouse or prospective  spouse, and the related verb "repudiare" means "to divorce" or "to reject." In  the 16th century, English writers used the derivative "repudiate" to mean "to  divorce," when in reference to a wife, or "to disown," when in reference to a  member of one's family, or just generally "to reject or cast off." By the 19th  century the word had also come to be used for the rejection of things that one  does not accept as true or just, ranging from opinions and accusations to  contracts and debts.

This brought to mind the concept of repudiating sin within the congregation and some related verses from Scripture:
"Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.  And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him." (Luke 17:3-4)
But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. (2 Timothy 2:23)

Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:4)

And this passage from 1 Corinthians:

I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world. But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler--not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)

And the often quoted Matthew 18:

"If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother.  But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED.  If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

May we repudiate sin in our midst wherever it may be found: within our own lives, within the lives of our families, or within our congregation.
To Him who saves us from sin be the glory forever.  Amen.
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