October 9, 2015

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

“The practice of discipline in the community of faith begins with friends who are close to one another. Words of admonition and reproach must be risked when a lapse from God’s Word in doctrine or life endangers a community that lives together, and with it the whole community of faith. Nothing can be more cruel than that leniency which abandons others to their sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than that severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one’s community back from the path of sin. When we allow nothing but God’s Word to stand between us, judging and helping, it is a service of mercy, an ultimate offer of genuine community. Then it is not we who are judging; God alone judges, and God’s judgment is helpful and healing.” (40 Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Monday, September 7, 2015)

Although scripture reminds us (often) to be gentle with admonishing our brothers and sisters, and to do it in private, many people feel compelled to admonish in grand and grandiose ways. For some reason many Christians, when they feel as if someone has sinned against them, they feel empowered to lead with “ugliness”, not with compassion and gentleness.

I have written before about the ugliness that I have seen in the church. Obviously we are not all 100% saint, and we are not all 100% sinner — we are a mix of both. There are many outside the church who think we are hypocrites – who are convinced that Christians believe we are better than other people. And yet, within the church, we know this is not true. We come to church because we know that we are sinners and need to be forgiven — to renew our relationship with Christ on a weekly if not daily basis. But, the relationships within the church are not perfect, they are as imperfect as the people who darken the doorways. We are broken people and we often treat each other in broken ways as well. Here are some questions to ponder:

“Is sin taken seriously in today’s church and by today’s Christians? Why might it be “cruel” not to admonish someone whose behavior is obviously sinful? What are the dangers in admonishing someone? How might the church and individual Christians avoid being hypocritical and judgmental when admonishing a Christian brother or sister?”

Pastor Dave