It seems that, in these times, those appointed to lead THE LORD'S people, have issues with confronting sin in the congregation, unlike a few decades ago, when it was the responsibility of the Pastor to privately, and compassionately, deal with the sins the congregants were dealing with...
This is a tough area today, because SO many people of THE CHURCH are confident in their sin, that they ARE allowed to continue in sin, be that consciously, or not, and they are very touchy when it comes to LOVING them enough to enlighten them, so they can make a clear choice regarding said sin(s)...
The article I read was premised upon a situation where a Pastor's Son-in-law was cheating on his Daughter, and whom moved them to a different Church than his Father-in-law's. The Father-in-law contacted the Pastor of the Church that they now attend, and asked him to confront the Son-in-law, concerning his sin, offer him some guidance, and counseling as necessary, and the Pastor, flat out refused! Those Called to lead the people are to provide in ALL matters, to KEEP them safe, and to guide them ACCORDING to the WILL OF *GOD*! ALL of *GOD'S* Ministers are to call people out on their sin, and work through such with them, IF they are willing to...
Throughout THE WORD, Ministers of *GOD* are bid to set HIS people straight, and to KEEP them from going astray! It is a HUGE responsibility, yet, it MUST be done, as silence to some, indicates permissiveness, and in others, a false sense of their sins being obscured from the scrutiny of others...
In social situations, I see my own people doing things they should not do, as Children of *GOD*, yet, put me in a dungeon if I should say anything to them! It IS most difficult to reach those who don't want to be reached, but, according to THE WILL OF THE LORD, anyone who keeps silent, has committed the greater sin, for these ARE the EXACT people who need to be reached...
In this time, Pastors live in fear of losing members, and other such that has NOTHING to do with guiding people through this time to safety! In this time, congregants, and visitors are extremely outspoken, and many are unwilling to grow into the spirit, as they should, because it has become sub-standard to commit to CHRIST fully! People WANT the world, and *GOD*, in that order, and do NOT believe that a Pastor, or ANYONE knowledgeable of THE WAY, has the right to tell them that they can't have it both ways! They are adamant, and quite volatile concerning such. Where is the understanding that we have put away the old self, and put on the new???
The Pastor cannot turn a blind eye to sin, as it encourages more of the same, in which case, THE CHURCH, CHRIST JESUS, suffers! We ARE THE BODY of CHRIST, therefore, IMPROVEMENT, CLEANLINESS, MODESTY, CHASTITY, and ALL things GOOD, and WHOLESOME ARE REQUIRED, as we HONOUR HIM WITH THE BEST we have!!!
Apostle Paul was the greatest example, thus role model for the Ministry, as he admonished sin in the congregations! He NEVER allowed human understanding to get in the way of HOLY understanding, and exhorted his people to come clean, that CHRIST is HONOURED! The WILL OF *GOD* IS more imperative than the futile desires of humanity, and if those who claim CHRIST are not willing to step INTO HIS WILL, that is their choice, but they MUST be taught, told, and shown, BY HIS Ministers, for then, the choices they make, reside solely on them, and not on ignorance, or the complacency of those who are to guide them...
Yes, it is difficult, yet, if the Ministry turns a blind eye to the very people they are to protect, guide, teach, and comfort, then WHAT IS the point of the Ministry?!?
PHILIPPIANS 2: 12...
So then, my beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
We must be diligent in the use of all the means which lead to our salvation, persevering therein to the end. With great care, lest, with all our advantages, we should come short.
Work out your salvation, for it is God who worketh in you. This encourages us to do our utmost, because our labour shall not be in vain: we must still depend on the grace of God. The working of God's grace in us, is to quicken and engage our endeavours. God's good-will to us, is the cause of his good work in us.
Do your duty without murmurings. Do it, and do not find fault with it.
Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it. By peaceableness; give no just occasion of offence.
The children of God should differ from the sons of men.
The more perverse others are, the more careful we should be to keep ourselves blameless and harmless.
The doctrine and example of consistent believers will enlighten others, and direct their way to Christ and holiness, even as the light-house warns mariners to avoid rocks, and directs their course into the harbour. Let us try thus to shine.
The gospel is the word of life, it makes known to us eternal life through Jesus Christ. Running, denotes earnestness and vigour, continual pressing forward; labouring, denotes constancy, and close application. It is the will of God that believers should be much in rejoicing; and those who are so happy as to have good ministers, have great reason to rejoice with them.
2 TIMOTHY 3: 16...
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
The Ministers of *GOD*, for the most part, are Called to bring understanding, knowledge, and wisdom to HIS people, in which case, rebuking, correcting, and training ARE innately woven into the PROCESS of ADVANCING the spirits of the people, THAT they, in turn, REFLECT CHRIST, and HIS WILL, thus also, guide others to safety, to HIM!!!
THE TRUTH hurts at times, but that is all good! When it hurts, it shows that we are on THE PATH! When it disturbs our carnality, it proves the spirit, and so forth! The few downsides to stepping into the HOLINESS required of the PRIESTHOOD we are, each have GOOD results!!!
REV. LWINSOR © 2013
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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