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WHEN CHRISTIANS SIN BIG
When someone who professes to be a follower of Christ sins in a big way, it is often shocking. Often, such sins are public and hold the eyes of others including those who are not Christians. How such circumstances are handled, however, often does not reflect the response demanded in Scripture. When Christians sin big, there is a proper way Christians should respond. How Christians should handle their own sin and the sins of others is immensely disparate from how the world usually responds. Here are my thoughts on how to handle situations in which Christians sin in a seemingly hulking manner.
What
the Sinner Should Do
What to do when Christians sin in a seemingly big manner has two primary components to it: 1) what the sinner should do and 2) what other believers should do, i.e. how they should respond. Both should be handled in a biblical and merciful manner; yet, both are disparate in many respects. The sinner must focus on their own sin, how it occurred, and what to do moving forward. There are four imperatives the sinner should employ upon committing any sin but especially those of a seemingly greater magnitude.
Meditate
on the Seriousness of Sin
Consider the seriousness of sin. It would be a grave mistake to write off sin as if God is not concerned with it, for, in fact, sin is what separates all of humankind from the holiness of God. No matter how big or small, human nature is replete with sin, i.e. while humans have choice, the choice is always sin apart from Christ. Any good that comes from any person in human history is a result of the goodness of God and nothing else. Further, sin is the obstacle that separates humanity from God, whether a big sin or a small sin. Sin is serious so rather than making excuses for why we sin, we should wage war against it. When war is waged, the seriousness of the enemy is realized and all available resources are utilized to defeat it. Believers should perpetually realize the seriousness of sin and the fact that all humans are equally depraved. The person who merely tells a small lie is as equally depraved as the person who murders, for everyone is conceived in the same nature: complete sinfulness. It is a serious matter, for the God and creator of all gave his very life to pay for the atonement of his people.
Confess
When one sins, he or she should confess both to God and to others. Confession to God is not necessarily asking for forgiveness, for God has already forgiven his people; yet, it is acknowledging human nature and weakness and confessing the fact that God himself is the greatest need of all humanity. Moreover, confessing to others not only allows for a clear conscience but also accountability, which is vital to the thriving Christian life. Confession then is a crucial action when someone sins.
Determine
the Reason
Yet another step in the process to reconciliation for the sinner is to determine the reason for the sin. What is the root cause? Often, we see the smoke without extinguishing the fire. I will even suggest that pride is often the root of many sins. It is likely not the only root cause; nonetheless, it is likely the root of many sins. Ultimately, sin is humanity deciding for themselves that an action blatantly against the character of God is deserved and right. Humility, however, demands a realization that nothing of the sort is warranted and that everything possible must be aimed in defense at such an attitude. Without determining the underlying reason for committing our grave mistakes, the issue (and perhaps others) will continue to arise. Therefore, people must seek and determine the root cause of the sin so that it may be severed from their lives.
Preach
the Gospel to Yourself
Another step the sinner must take is to preach the gospel to himself or herself. Understand that human nature is corrupt and sinful but that in Jesus Christ, there is forgiveness. This means not to dwell on what was done but receive God’s forgiveness and move forward. The gospel certainly includes the truth that humanity possesses a sinful nature; nevertheless, a substantial part of the gospel is also the fact that God loves to forgive. Weep for the sin; yet, rejoice for the forgiveness and salvation.
What
Christians Should Do
Although other people may not blink at the thought of a small sin, there is perhaps some level of enjoyment (or at least curiosity) in big sin. When that drastic moment occurs in one’s life, many people are quick to judge. God, however, does not judge his people’s sin but forgives them. In the same manner, believers should forgive others for their sin, aid them in recovery, and see them through to restoration. Here are three key elements involved in Christians’ response to the big sins of others.
Pray
Prayer is perhaps one of the most underrated actions in the Christian life. In a society that writes off prayer as useless,[1] the discipline is likely one of the most important actions in which a believer can participate. A professing Christian who does not view prayer as important is a person who desperately needs to check their own faith, for prayer is not only explicitly commanded in Scripture but is also the power supply for God’s people, the church. When another brother or sister sins in a grand manner, e.g. a public act of betrayal or behavior, a Christian’s first response (although often is judgment and gossip) should be to pray. Let us be people who go against the grain of society and even the Christian subculture by refusing to gossip (as if receiving pleasure from someone else’s failure), judge, and perpetuate the sin of others but rather encourage and pray for such people. No one is beyond falling in a magnificent way; thus, Christians should be the first to help brothers and sisters who fail rather than making the situation worse for them.
Confront
Brothers and Sisters When Necessary
If necessary, Christians should confront brothers and sisters living in sin. Although a slight difference subsists between blatant sin and personal convictions, there are surely times when believers need the confrontation of others to restore their spiritual relationship with God and with other believers. Confrontation, however, does not mean dismissal or anonymity; confrontation means a loving admonishment. Such love in admonishment is a key difference between the approach of the world and the approach of God-fearing Christians.
Follow
Matthew 18
The model for how to handle a brother or sister living in sin is Matthew 18. Especially if one has sinned against you, Jesus commands his followers to go to such a person with two or three others (brothers and sisters) so that a charge is witnessed. If the sinner refuses to listen, then and only then is the wronged individual to go before the local church. What this means is that any discussion of the perpetrator prior to this point is sin. How often, however, do we see the sin of others discussed in circumstances that clearly violate Matthew 18? May we be people who do not operate in such a manner. If the sinner refuses to listen even upon being brought before the local church, Jesus says to let him be as a Gentile and a tax collector (Matt 18:17). Perhaps, a commonly misunderstood command, such a statement does not mean that believers are free to treat the brother or sister with disdain, for what is the purpose of the Gentile and tax collector here? It is that of love, forgiveness, and restoration. Therefore, Jesus is not saying to merely dismiss such a person and have nothing to do with them ever again but rather to continue praying for them and loving them with the goal of restoration. There are the steps Christians are to take toward one who sins, especially against them.
Always
Deal in Mercy (Because You Need It Too)
In all dealings with sin, Christians should always handle them with mercy. I must constantly remind myself that I need mercy too. When someone sins in a large way, I must first examine my own heart and remind myself that I am not beyond making such mistakes. In fact, the day will likely come for all of us when we need equally as much mercy from others. God has already exhibited the greatest quantity of mercy by his gift and sacrifice on the cross. We all require his mercy; our response to the sins of others then demands that we too offer such mercy. We have been given much and are expected to give much in return. In all situations of great sin, remember that God’s grace is greater and that, in view of his grace, we must always deal in mercy.
[1]
Such a statement is assessed from observations of prayer’s dismissal by society
at large, especially during crisis situations, e.g. mass shootings, natural
disasters, etc.
