In First Corinthians 5:12 and 13, Paul tells us that we are not to judge those outside of the church, but that it is our job to judge those inside. He said: “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. ‘Expel the wicked man from among you.’” But what does it look like to judge those inside the church? Is there some kind of protocol that we are to follow? Is there any mention of a method that could help us in this difficult task? I believe there is, and I believe that it is outlined by Jesus himself in Matthew, chapter 18, verses 15 through 17 which says:
“If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
It can be incredibly difficult to call our Christian brother or sister out on their sin. After all, who are we? We are imperfect Christians who are subject to sin as well. But the main difference between a repentant believer and a non-repentant one is our ability, or inability, to agree with God that we are in error. We must agree that we have sinned; that we have rebelled against God and that we need to adjust our ways. When a believer is unwilling to acknowledge his or her sin, Jesus outlines three opportunities we are to give them to repent from their behavior. First, talk with them one on one. Second, put together a small intervention with a few believing friends. And third, take the issue to the church itself. After three strikes, Jesus said that we are to treat them as we would a pagan. It is our collective job, as believers, to hold our Christian brothers and sisters accountable. If we don’t, we will begin to see what is happening in many churches around our country, where they allow sin into the church, and like yeast, it works its way throughout the congregation.
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It may sound like an incredibly daunting task to speak to a Christian brother or sister who has sinned and is unrepentant. But that is what Jesus calls us to do. Even in our imperfection, through the Holy Spirit and through the words of the Bible, we can discern what is right and wrong; what is permissible and what is sinful. It is our duty to make an effort to bring our brother or sister back in right relationship with the Father. In truth, it is an act of love. And I would submit that if the body of Christ were active in practicing this principle, we wouldn’t see so many churches who have veered away from what is right and true. We wouldn’t see so many congregations accepting the values of the world over the steadfast truth of the scriptures. So I would challenge you, as I challenge myself, to exercise the kind of love that Jesus has for us toward our fellow brothers and sisters. Follow the principle Jesus outlined in Matthew and lend a helping hand to the one who seems to be unrepentant. Who knows, you may be the very person God wants to use to bring them back in right relationship with him.
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