“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”
(Matthew 18:15–17)
When a Christian wilfully and deliberately chooses to walk in impurity, he or she is not the only one who suffers the consequences. That decision brings reproach to the whole body to which he or she belongs. Since we are members of one another, we are accountable to one another. Even when one of us may not want that accountability, it is still an undeniable fact.
New Testament passages like 1 Corinthians 12:14–27 (please stop and read for yourself) paint a vivid picture of mutual concern, mutual interest, and mutual accountability. We are not isolated islands separate and without identity. Nor are we to respond with casual indifference when one of our brothers or sisters slides into immorality. Just listen:
“Dear brothers, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong. Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command.” (Galatians 6:1–2 TLB)
“Dear brothers, if anyone has slipped away from God and no longer trusts the Lord and someone helps him understand the Truth again, that person who brings him back to God will have saved a wandering soul from death, bringing about the forgiveness of his many sins.” (James 5:19–20 TLB)
The Saviour Himself saw the need for this when He instructed His followers to pursue those who stray.
Very clear. Nothing that complicated. But how many congregations can you name who follow that plan to rescue those who have strayed? Or for that matter, how many fellow Christians do you know who conscientiously follow Jesus’ directions and confront the wayward? Now I’m not suggesting a harsh, uncompassionate assault on all who temporarily lapse into sin and soon thereafter acknowledge and repent of the wrong. No, this involves much more than that. This is an open-and-shut case of sinful activity that is taking its toll on the person as well as others in the body.
Who really cares anymore? Where is the Christian friend who is willing to risk being misunderstood to help another believer come to repentance and full restoration?
Taken from Strengthening Your Grip by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2015 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Worthy Books, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
