Failure and Restoration
ˇ§Do you
not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be
deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,
nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But
you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of
the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.ˇ¨ (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
Paul called those who had
committed the foregoing sins the unrighteous, and expressly pointed out that
they would not inherit the kingdom of God. We had possibly committed some of
these sins before we knew God, because at that time we were dead in our
trespasses and sins, followed the course of this world, submitted ourselves to
the devil, did things that were disobedient to God, and gratified the cravings
of our sinful nature and abided by its desires and thoughts. (Ephesians 2:2-3)
If we truly believe in the Lord and are saved, we should no longer commit these
transgressions that offend Him. Paul also warns us not to deceive ourselves. If
we think we are strong and do not alert, it will be easy for us to fall into
the devilˇ¦s snare, and be progressively hardened through the deceitfulness of
sin. (Hebrews 3:13) This is like the failure of King Saul, who did not totally
abide by the word of God. He spared Agag king of the Amalekites, the best of
the sheep and cattle, and all that was good. He did not utterly destroy them
according to the Lordˇ¦s instruction, but only followed part of Godˇ¦s word and
eliminated the despised and worthless. This was self-deceptive behaviour, and
he even gave God a crafty excuse. So Samuel rebuked him, saying, ˇ§Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of
witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have
rejected the word of the Lord, He also has rejected you from being king."
(1 Samuel 15:22-23) Therefore, if a believer happens to falter, commit a sin
and is admonished by God, he must truly repent and not try to haggle. Numerous
excuses just indicate an unwillingness to repent and abhor sin. Failure in the
future will even more severe.
Dear
brothers and sisters, the church (we) as sinners received abundant grace from
God. We were purchased at great cost by God. Its enormity is reflected by the
fact that the payment was accomplished through the sacrifice of the life of the
Son of God. We see then the gravity of sin. Therefore we should always carry a
fearful and thankful heart towards our Lord. As Paul has exhorted, ˇ§ˇK work out
your own salvation with fear and trembling.ˇ¨ (Philippians 2:12) If anyone among
us happens to be deceived by sin and has fallen into transgression, those who
are aware should admonish him with the love of the Lord. If he does not listen
despite repeated exhortation, then the churchˇ¦s elders and pastors should be
informed. Handling certain sins may impinge on individual confidentiality, but
we should trust in the churchˇ¦s leadership because they stand watch in
vigilance over the soul of the church. Mindful of the deeds of some, we should
pull them out of the fire and rescue them without delay. Upon others we should
have compassion with fear, hating even the garments defiled by the flesh (Jude
23) in demonstration of our utter hatred of sin, for we are a holy body. If the
sinner truly repents, confesses his sins and turns back, he will be forgiven by
the righteous Lord. (1 John 1:9) If he fears God and submits to the churchˇ¦s
leaders, the elders and pastors will administer different levels of
disciplinary action according to the severity of the trespass and the attitude
of repentance of the sinner. Yet the goal of all disciplinary action is to
reform, restore and assist the failed member. When the fallen member truly
turns back, the whole church must accept him. No one should look upon him with
condemning or discriminatory bias, for he whom the Lord has forgiven and
affirmed, we must accept. Besides, each one of us has the possibility to fail
and falter. If not for the compassion of the Lord and our own vigilance, we too
could fail in a temptation. As well, we must try our best to express our love
and solicitude for the restored member and his family, for love can cover over
a multitude of sins. We must not wantonly discuss or publicize the private
affairs of others. Remember how Shem and Japheth used an appropriate method to
cover the shame of their father. (Genesis 9:23) We too should carefully treat
each other with love in order to recover our member, so that God will not once
again be deprived of His glory for our sake.
By:
Daniel To