This shouldn’t come as a news flash to anyone. Christians sin. That’s right. Just because their sins have been forgiven, just because they are a new creation, just because the Holy Spirit now resides in them, they still sin. Most of the time, these are of the smaller, rather private variety (if I can say that). Lust. Gossip. Anger. Selfishness. Other times, they are big sins. Of the public kind. An affair. A divorce. Theft. An assault.
When a Christian does sin in this way, there is always fallout. Someone one has been hurt. Possibly many people have been hurt. The Christian’s reputation in the church and in the community has been damaged. Worse yet, Jesus’ reputation invariably takes a hit as well. (We know that it wasn’t Jesus who sinned but many times the world looks at it differently. A major sin by a Christian can drive people away from Jesus.)
If this Christian is a member of a church, then they need to be disciplined. How does one go about this? Now, without getting too technical, allow me to give 3 criteria that I use in determining the severity of the sin so that I can determine what kind of discipline is required.
1. What was the sin?
There is a sense in which all sins are equal in that they are all sin. Whether a small sin or a large sin, they all enslave us and require the blood of Jesus to be removed. However, as I have already mentioned, in another sense all sins are not equal. For example, I would much rather have someone slap me as opposed to stab me. I would much rather have them say something rude to me than lie about me. Determining the nature of the sin is the first step to determining the discipline required.
2. How long did it go on?
The fact is that some sins are instant. (Or at least they appear to be that way.) A person is involved in an automobile accident and punches the other driver. Or they steal something from a store. Or they are involved in a one-night-stand. These were spur-of-the-moment sins where the person gave in to the flesh.
There are other sins, however, that are indicative of a habit or pattern. A person who has been embezzling money for years. Or who has been involved in an affair for months. Or who has assaulted their spouse numerous times. A sin committed over a period of time tends to show willful intent. This is another step in determining what the discipline should be.
3. Were they repentant?
It’s that age-old question of whether a person is sorry because they were caught or sorry for what they did? If the person confessed as soon as they were confronted with their sin, and freely admitted their guilt, if they were repentant, that is one thing. If they lied after they were confronted, or continued to deny it before finally confessing to it (if, in fact, they ever did), or were defiant to the end, that is another thing.
When a Christian does sin in this way, there is always fallout. Someone one has been hurt. Possibly many people have been hurt. The Christian’s reputation in the church and in the community has been damaged. Worse yet, Jesus’ reputation invariably takes a hit as well. (We know that it wasn’t Jesus who sinned but many times the world looks at it differently. A major sin by a Christian can drive people away from Jesus.)
If this Christian is a member of a church, then they need to be disciplined. How does one go about this? Now, without getting too technical, allow me to give 3 criteria that I use in determining the severity of the sin so that I can determine what kind of discipline is required.
1. What was the sin?
There is a sense in which all sins are equal in that they are all sin. Whether a small sin or a large sin, they all enslave us and require the blood of Jesus to be removed. However, as I have already mentioned, in another sense all sins are not equal. For example, I would much rather have someone slap me as opposed to stab me. I would much rather have them say something rude to me than lie about me. Determining the nature of the sin is the first step to determining the discipline required.
2. How long did it go on?
The fact is that some sins are instant. (Or at least they appear to be that way.) A person is involved in an automobile accident and punches the other driver. Or they steal something from a store. Or they are involved in a one-night-stand. These were spur-of-the-moment sins where the person gave in to the flesh.
There are other sins, however, that are indicative of a habit or pattern. A person who has been embezzling money for years. Or who has been involved in an affair for months. Or who has assaulted their spouse numerous times. A sin committed over a period of time tends to show willful intent. This is another step in determining what the discipline should be.
3. Were they repentant?
It’s that age-old question of whether a person is sorry because they were caught or sorry for what they did? If the person confessed as soon as they were confronted with their sin, and freely admitted their guilt, if they were repentant, that is one thing. If they lied after they were confronted, or continued to deny it before finally confessing to it (if, in fact, they ever did), or were defiant to the end, that is another thing.
Chances are, that unless you are in a position of leadership in a local church, you will never have use of these criteria. The reason I am sharing them is to give you a little bit of insight as to how decisions like this are made. Also they can be a bit of a reference when you do hear of a Christian who has fallen into sin. It might determine your response to them. To comfort, encourage, and console them? Or to be direct, show them tough love, and help bring them to a place of repentance? While the goal is always forgiveness and restoration, the way that we respond may vary. What is important is - what is going to best help the offender? In the end we need to point them to Jesus who is always ready to forgive. And change. And restore.
Lord, I understand that while Christians are forgiven, they aren’t perfect. They do sin. Sometimes they do so in a very big and public way. When a Christian falls into sin, help the leaders of the church to determine what is best form of discipline that is required. Help me to determine what response is needed from me. Help me to come along side them. To hold them accountable. To pray for them. May Your Spirit work in their life to bring them to a place of repentance, forgiveness and restoration. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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