With all the “political correctness” and “don’t push your values on me” going around these days, it’s as if a person can’t even talk without upsetting folks. In fact, I’m sure that just about everything I’ve ever said would offend someone, somewhere, if the whole world was my audience. Still, while I’m never intentionally going to offend someone else, right is still right, and wrong is still wrong, based on God’s Holy Word–the perfect measuring stick! In trying to be inoffensive and loving, I think we’ve taken the whole “path of least resistance” mode of operation too far. For example, I believe we’ve hurt the Body of Christ by allowing open sin to invade many churches. Who’s not heard the command, “Don’t judge others?” It came from the mouth of Jesus Himself. The problem is that we’ve taken a command that was meant to keep us from acting in a prideful mode, mixed it with “political correctness,” diluted the truth, and allowed it to infect the church. What I mean is that sin is sin, and it should be called what it is whenever it is present. And… all the more so if it’s in the church! And… absolutely, positively if the transgressor calls himself/herself a brother or sister in Christ. The model for church discipline is clearly laid out in Matthew 18, and Paul expands on it in 2 Corinthians.
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people–not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 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.'” 2 Corinthians 5:9-13
My rough interpretation: Don’t judge the world, because they will be judged by God Almighty. Get into their lives, without getting caught up in their sin, and witness with your Holiness. As it pertains to the church, however, God has given us Truth for a reason, and imprinted it on our hearts for His purposes. When sin is present in the church, judge those who claim to be brothers and sisters in the Lord, being careful to check your motives and to do it in love. Bring them into proper fellowship if possible, but if they refuse, then expel them from among you.
In Christ,
PastorJim @Kilbin8er
Jim@JamesKilby.com
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