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Church Reconciliation And The Sinner: Much More Harmful Than You Actually Presumed It Was
Last weekend I had the excellent fortune to listen to an exceptional sermon using Paul's letter to the Galatian church. Galatians is one of my all-time favorite books because of the fact that it is all about living the Christian life with the aid of the Holy Spirit. As a former "fundamentalist" I am a specialist on living life by means of rules and ordinances, and I am deeply mindful of the spiritual death that results. The sinner and church reconciliation was a prevalent point of conversation, not to say argument, in those circles. Get ready for some tough facts!
The preacher introduced his analysis by sharing Paul's introductory admonition in chapter 6: "Brothers, if anyone is trapped in any sin, you who are spiritual, rehabilitate such a one in a spirit of kindness; each of you looking to himself, to make certain that you too will not be tempted." We realize that Paul is speaking of Christians who are "caught...in...sin" because of the fact that he urges that they be reestablished in the church, and Paul would not have reckoned non-Christians to have anything to be restored to.
The main reason that dealing with the sinner amid Christians is so difficult is that just about everything that is biblically required of us is offensive to to the flesh. The flesh is uncomfortable with conflict and, when it is perceived, calls up "fight or flight" reactions. Biblical ideals, conversely, oblige us to stay engaged and be humble. Here are three points from Galatians 6:1 to bear in mind:
1. Not taking any notice of the offender is not an option. "if any individual is trapped in any sin... bring back such a one." This is an imperative. We cannot ignore and we are not permitted banish, other than as as a last recourse.
2. The purpose of addressing sin is to restore the sinner. "...restore such a one." Even Matthew 18:15-18, which terminates in potential excommunication from the church, has restoration as its optimal purpose: The beginning phase of confrontation finishes: "...if he listens to you, you have won your brother." The subsequent options provided for are without a doubt intended to have the same results. Even when the church is forced to "he should be like a Gentile and a person who collects taxes," we must presume that the objective is to show the sinning Christian what he is throwing away by refusing to confess his sin. If and when he does so the church will embark on the process of restoration that is the antithesis of the course of action that contributed to his removal. Furthermore, Paul tells the Corinthian church that there is a person in the midst of them whose sin is so blatant that "I have chosen to deliver people like that to Satan for the ruination of the body, in order that his spirit may be be spared in the day of the Lord Jesus." Take note that Paul's purpose is that the individual ultimately be "saved."
3. You must have the proper grounds to be eligible to challenge. "... those of you who are spiritual, recover such a person in a spirit of gentleness." Irritation and frustration are unsatisfactory grounds for church reconciliation and wholeness.
The instant we observe ourselves reacting to Christian sin within the church with irritation, self-righteousness, apprehension or fear, we need to at once recognize that the people or church concerned are in hazard from both the sin and the response to the sin. We are not qualified to even get started in dealing with the sin until we have attended to our responses to it. We have to pray and surrender to the control of to the Holy Spirit until we can without a doubt be confident that we are prepared to oppose the sin but reconcile the sinner.
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