Groups of people the church mocks (Part 3)

In my last two blogs I suggested two groups of people that fall prey to the mockery of the church namely singles and barren couples. Today I want to discuss yet another group that we more often than not are guilty of mocking and not showing the love of Christ to. This group is the brethren who fall in public sin. Christians can be the most unforgiving and ruthless people around. It is often true that when a brother falls into sin we are more than eager to pick up stones and stone him instead of extending a loving hand that seeks restoration.

Now do not get me wrong, sin is a mess that affects all involved with the sinner, and many times it can be quite complicated. It is also clear that the Bible exhorts us to confront sin and discipline people who refuse to repent of their sins as their lack of repentance is a serious indicator that they might not be saved (Matt.18:15-19, 1 Cor. 5:1-11, Gal. 6:1-2). So yes we are to hold one another accountable and be each other’s keepers; it is true that we should not tolerate sin in our lives and the lives of others otherwise we risk being guilty of participating in their sins. We however need to remember that the goal of confrontation is restoration. We do well to heed the exhortation in Galatians to restore sinning brethren with a spirit of meekness. The temptation to be unkind and treat such people in the church without grace is ever high. Here are three ways we mock sinning brethren.

We mock fallen brethren by gossiping about their sins

It is amazing how news flies, particularly negative news. It seems there are Christians who have exceptional “journalistic” skills that they pick up information about people’s lives and spread it to everyone and anyone who has ears! This tendency to spread information about people is nothing more than malicious slander. Gossip and slander proceed from a corrupt and filthy heart and hurts the fallen brother. Just because it is true does not mean it is necessary to share, and if it not going to build up the brethren, do not share it. When brothers fall, do not gossip or slander them, lovingly confront and pray for them.

We mock fallen brethren by treating them with contempt

When we become aware of the sin in our brothers’ lives and see them go through the shame that comes with sin, we are tempted to think we are better than them and holier than them. I remember in my primary school days when one of my teachers would ask the class to shame and openly embarrass any pupil who broke the rules. So at the signal of the teacher the entire class would break forth in a chorus of “shame” and mocking laughter. Going through that experience made you feel alone and unloved. Sadly that can be the tendency of the church at times. We can easily be guilty of shaming instead of confronting and embarrassing instead of restoring. And we make sure we hold the sin over the head of the sinner for as long as they live! At times it’s almost like we are hoping others fall and do so scandalously and without repentance so that we can have something to hold over their heads. We should remember as we deal with other people’s sins that we are equally capable of committing any sin if it weren’t for the grace of God.  

We mock fallen brethren by refusing to forgive and welcome them back in the fold

In line with treating the fallen brothers with contempt is the refusal to forgive and welcome them back in the fold. The Bible commands us to bear with one another and to forgive one another (Col. 3:13), and the standard of forgiving is as much as God has forgiven you. Elsewhere Christ exhorts—blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy (Matt. 5:7). We are often guilty of the sin of the steward after being forgiven much by his master, refused to forgive a friend for much less and actually had him locked up! Even when we offer some superficial forgiveness by mouth, our actions actually reveal the truth because we sideline and distant ourselves from the same brother we claim to have forgiven.

Brethren, beware of the attitude of the prodigal son’s elder brother. While the father was rejoicing at the repentance of the son, showering him with extravagant forgiveness and welcoming him back in the fold, the elder brother was sulking and bitter not willing to forgive and embrace his brother back into the fold. Brothers who fall into sin and are repentant should not be distanced from the church because of the unloving and humiliating mockery from the members of the church.