DEALING WITH SIN

The Lord has smiled upon us and His mercy is everlasting. He has caused us to overcome our enemy with the grace He has given. Therefore, let us rejoice as He carries us deeper into His heart. Have you ever asked the question, “How do we, as a church, deal in the lives of those who have fallen by the wayside? How do we help one another out of snares? In fact, what does the scripture instruct us to do?” We have pulled a lot of terms from the scriptures, but I think it might be good for us to re-examine our implementation of what we believe to be the guidance of the Word.

This is especially true when we are faced with the undesirable task of dealing with sin. Though I know all sin in the Body of Christ is destructive, the unction of the Holy Ghost causes me to believe the sin of betrayal and covenant breaking with the people of God by leaders is blasphemous. When leaders sin against the people of the covenant they betray the trust God has placed in the hearts of His people. Many come into the church already bruised and battered by the world only to find they jumped out of the frying pan into the fire

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Oftentimes, they are trodden under foot from the pulpits by the authority of leaders who seek to dominate and control. Some are taken advantage of sexually by ministers who use their God-given anointing and trust to ensnare and subdue. Beloved, these things ought not to be named among us. If we do not purge such sins out of the Body, they will truly destroy the very fiber of our existence and the world will not know that Jesus was truly sent by the Father to bring a new life to mankind.

Betrayal by leaders in the Body of Christ is evil and undermines all that the gospel was sent to do. But to bite and devour one another within the congregation has the same effect from God’s perspective. For all such sin are stumbling blocks and walls of impasse for the world. Whether it is the leaders or the members who commit these acts the method to deal with them must be made clear. And when we look for the principles of our faith, a good place to start is with the teachings of Christ. In fact, regarding some issues, Jesus went into much detail as to how we are to implement the ministry of reconciliation.

St Matthew 18:15

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.

We must note here that the intent of the script is to cause the sons to draw upon the love of God within when having to entertain the sin of another. The principle is the same whether the offense was committed against you or you simply are aware of the offense. However, it is not good for anyone outside the offense to get involved in the process without knowing what has transpired between the two subjects. Therefore, we are instructed to deal with an offender separate and apart from others. . . . go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. We must read this for the principles found here.

The situations and details of offenses or sins may vary, but the principles remain the same. For instance, the offender may not have laid an offense at your door. He could be a fornicator or a backbiter, or of some other carnal behavior. However, when his sin is noted he must be confronted whether by a clergyman or layman. Here too, is where we often miss the mark.

If we are made aware of the offender’s negative disposition, we have a responsibility to bring such a one face to face with their relationship with the Father. Confrontation should never be with the intent . . · to simply put the offense on display (I know what you did).

to make the offender know just how you feel about the offense. ·

to institute personal penalties.

Even if the offender has sinned against you they have sinned against God first. Your emotions should not be the focal point. You and the way you feel are not the issues here. The script did not send you to the offender to vent your emotions or negative disposition towards the individual. The focal point in any confrontation must always be reconciliation. As we continue to read what Jesus ministered, we get three chances to work this ministry of reconciliation.

St. Matthew 18:16

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.

Now we come to the dreaded “meeting,” or “confrontation” with leadership. Some think this to be the most horrible thing that could happen in a church. I mean to actually be confronted by three or four people who have come specifically to deal with your disposition or sin. This can’t be good! Some even venture to say that it is unloving and therefore unscriptural. It is not good for us to second guess God.

Jesus tells us if the offender will not hear private counsel, then take two or three witnesses and confront him again. Remember, the offender is given the opportunity to repent or get it right privately in the first encounter with either the victim, friend or minister. Now this, too, has become a problem in the church;

REPENTANCE. What if the offender repents in the first confrontation? Oftentimes, if there are others who are aware of the offense, they are not satisfied with the instructions of Christ this time uttered by Paul.

Galatians 6:1-2

1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Over the years, I have seen situations where this is not enough for some, unless that is, they or one of their loved ones are the offender. That is also why some might feel that certain ones are not dealt with in the same manner as others. It might be that just as God does not allow those who are not spiritual to be a part of the confrontation, He might also not make them privy to the time, place, or those who were involved in such confrontation.

This confrontation is a place for those who are able to bear the burden of the sins of the offender. It is not a place for the emotionally distraught, judgmental or unforgiving. The brother or sister already stands accused before God. It is not for us to place another burden upon them. Therefore, we must be very careful in choosing those who attend such a meeting.

As for the offender, at this point God is not launching a campaign to protect your privacy. He did that in the first confrontation. Although I must say that it is not sacred for the ministers in attendance to make public the events of such a meeting. Here is where we have failed in the past.

Oftentimes, we have made mention of such settings in public places and in the hearing of those who needed not to know of such things. Even I have been guilty of this in times past. But thanks be to God for mercy and grace. He has given us an opportunity to walk upright and cautiously before Him and His people.

St. Matthew 18:17

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.

This too, is a place we often fail because again we want to second guess God. Some think bringing someone’s sin before the church is cruel and unusual punishment. They conclude that God would never be a part of such a thing. Thus, they simply do not accept this verse of script. While others on the other hand cannot wait to get to this step. They stand in Pilot’s court and yell, “Crucify him, crucify him.” Some even leave the ministry or threaten to leave it if we do not take out the hammer and nails. Oh, if only God’s people would abide in the faith.

We are instructed specifically how to deal with sin in the household of Faith. A word of advice to the leaders in the Body of Christ; make sure when you get to this point, you have covered all the bases, your heart is pure and you are not seeking any personal satisfaction in exposing the sin of others. Even though the instruction is to let them be as a heathen, we are not to do so with the perspective they are beyond recovery. Unless the Lord turns them over to a reprobate mind, the Holy Spirit will be faithful to address the situation. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word (Ps 119:67).

St. Matthew 18:18-20

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

The implication here is that the exposure to the church is not the end of the plight of the transgressor. It is now the responsibility of the “spiritual” to pray. We are instructed to pray, the prayer of agreement. In doing so, if the individual repents, we are able to loose him from the burden of his sin. On the other hand, if he does not repent. Then, we are able to determine a more punitive consequence.

The two or three who gather in the name of the Lord will have the full support of the Father in this matter if they themselves truly stand in the righteousness of God.