;)
An Appendum: An Advocacy for Holiness and Personal Accountability
Posted by Rob Ayers in Bible & Theology, Church & Missions
Dave Miller’s last post (“A Pandemic American Heresy”) was by far (IMHO) the most biblical and righteous post that I have read in quite some time. I would commend the reader to contemplate carefully all that he says. The best explanation against self-esteem and self-actualization in the Body of Christ can be found in the words, “die to self.” If we could just internalize that thought, and allow the resurrected Christ to live through us then how more blessed would our lives and our churches be!
I started internalizing these thoughts when I received a visitor this week in our congregation. This guy looked and felt like “drug addiction” and then he opened up his mouth and proved it. He claimed he was rehabbing, and currently had been attending a sister church. The church for the past year had been supporting and helping this family through a rough patch of un-employment and assorted medical and housing needs. Our friends across town have a fairly intensive ministry to folks like this – most of their internal giving goes to these local ministries that they sponsor and they give nothing to associational ministries and very little to CP giving. Fine and dandy – more power to them.
Back to my new friend. He is on the outs of his church he told me because they suspect him of going back to drugs, so he “…is looking for a new church.” All the while I felt (just a thought) that he was casing the joint as he poked his nose in every nook and cranny. Suffice it to say I made sure every door was locked and double locked before I left.
When a visitor comes to me and spouts off the line that he gave me, I desire to find out more and called our sister church. Much of what they said was confidential, yet they confirmed my earlier suspicions – this guy was skirting accountability.
At what level does the church have a responsibility for guys like him? There are often many who preach a “soft gospel” that speaks more about grace than accountability – easy acceptance over repentance of sin. As a result we have many like I believe where this guy is in the doors of our church – a person with a “heart problem” in which it is all about them rather than Christ who can change their life.
I do not want to minimize addiction – I understand that it is a difficult problem to grasp and to overcome. Our sister church has done yeoman’s work in attempting to do it right – advocating for change and holding people accountable for their lack of progress. It is difficult these days to be discerning in a world of dysfunctional human beings. It is equally difficult for believers to discern if a person claims that they have had an experience with the living Lord.
Of course what brought this up was the discussion I had with the staff member of our sister church. They are going through a leadership change, and so they have had many guest speakers. One such speaker advocated “charity” above all else. This staff member gently reminded the speaker that with the hand of charity goes the message of holiness and accountability – a willingness of the believer to “die to self” when it came to changing the circumstances in which they now found themselves. The speaker dismissed the admonition, saying “the love of Christ conquers all.” As I said, an appendum – I hope this meets with Dave’s approval and will further continued discussion among us.
Shalom
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
;)
There are times I think the local churches should have a general consensus of how they will handle these situations and what they would say. I’m not talking about just our denomination, but, all within the radius of our ministry territory. There would be a two-fold purpose of this in today’s society. First, for the protection of the church property, persons and reputation. Second, for the well being of those who are truly in need and/or desire to live the kingdom life. If there was a written Biblical process that all churches agreed to and could incorporate, it would help to make ministry for these people more effective. Each church could add to the “Covenant”, so to speak, and make it fit what they are willing to do within ministry and teaching at each individual church body. It would give churches within a network of churches valuable information should there be those who want to jump around or wonder in from time to time.
I truly believe in helping those in need and even those who may desire to take advantage of you, however, a limitation of material resources would be necessary. Addiction is the loss or misplacement of the order of morals. Some are even willing to steal from God. The prodigal son had a misplacement of morals because he had money. Once his money was eliminated and no one would help him that was when he came to his senses. Failure is one of the strongest teachers we have and we, as believers, must be able to distinguish the differences in order to know how to properly treat people. We must love them and bring them in and, at the same time, be able love them and let them go their way, too. I see church discipline the same way. We should never approach a brother or sister in Christ with the first step in restoration and not be willing, at the same time, to take the final step in expulsion with the same love. God’s love is a paradox that mature believers must live and function in; it is both an open door and a closed door. This is where the exercise of the Spiritual Gifts in the church is vital.
Great post, Rob. Thank you.
Thought-provoking post, Rob.
Your last paragraph described the speaker who advocated a sort of “squishy” grace and love advocated by the speaker at your sister church. It is such an appealing message, “Love Conquers All.”
We must remember that the love of Christ did not conquer sin by ignoring it or excusing it, but by dealing with it – in a bloody, horrible way.
When we advocate a love that does not confront sin, we can only make people feel better about themselves as they wallow in darkness.
What is the background of this passage? The world was creeping into the church. Christians were wearing down and getting discouraged. They saw Christians persecuted right in front of them, or heard of such things happening. They began to feel the best thing to do was to give in. They were beginning to ask for and to listen to those who were giving something contrary to what the apostles had given them. It was God’s love and grace for them that they were rejecting.
It was the fact that they did not just hear one person, but jumped from teacher to teacher. They were hearing how works was the answer because they were pure in and of themselves, that the righteousness of their works was what got them right with God. Christ wasn’t even in the picture of their teaching.
I’m sorry I posted on the wrong post.
Rob:
You said–”When a visitor comes to me and spouts off the line that he gave me, I desire to find out more and called our sister church. Much of what they said was confidential, yet they confirmed my earlier suspicions – this guy was skirting accountability.”
You also said–”At what level does the church have a responsibility for guys like him? There are often many who preach a “soft gospel” that speaks more about grace than accountability – easy acceptance over repentance of sin. As a result we have many like I believe where this guy is in the doors of our church – a person with a “heart problem” in which it is all about them rather than Christ who can change their life.”
I’m not sure what you mean by accountability or There are often many who preach a “soft gospel” that speaks more about grace than accountability – easy acceptance over repentance of sin.
What do you mean by accountability?
What do you mean by “soft gospel?
My thanks in advance.
Brother Rob,
“At what level does the church have a responsibility for guys like him?”
It is obvious… we forgive him, we make known to him the gospel and disciple him, and restore him if he is a Saint.
Blessings,
Chris
Chris -
Your answer is obvious. Forgiveness first, the gospel message with discipleship (in this case tough love, which may indeed include to let him go) and restoration if possible (again tough love). The “soft gospel” would allow this person to go on without accountability, or hope that it would all go away. Thus my question “…what are we to do?”
Tom,
Did you read carefully Dave’s post? I believe that you can get all the answers for your questions there – I fully concur with his post. If you have further questions afterward, I would be happy to answer them. Hint: Read Romans 1:14-20.
Rob
Brother Rob,
My answer is obvious and very simple too. Because we should always forgive…and be enthusiastic to meet with this man. The nice thing is…he came to you. What a privilege! What a great opportunity to disciple regardless of “his” motive. I guess I see your point of suspicion (that’s a natural response), but I don’t necessarily believe our love is predicated upon his obedience or even his lack of obedience….we love anyway (that’s our supernatural response). There is no “soft gospel”…the gospel is his and my only hope as it comes. So I hope the guy calls you a hundred times…so that you can disciple him and his family to sit at the feet of Jesus.
So what are we to do? Walk with him to the feet of Jesus.
Blessings,
Chris
Rob:
You said–”This guy looked and felt like “drug addiction” and then he opened up his mouth and proved it.”
Can you further explain the above comment because I really do no know what you mean?
My thanks.
Tom, I don’t speak for Rob, of course, but I think what he is saying is pretty clear. We have people walk in the office and they have a look about them that makes us believe that this person is an alcoholic. Another look makes us assume that a person is strung out or on drugs.
It seems clear to me that Rob is saying he got a sense that this guy was back on drugs, and his dealings with him confirmed that this was true.
When you deal with the people who come to church looking for a handout, you get a sense of whom you deal with.