How much do you love everyone at your church? Enough to take them food when they are sick? Of course, you do. Enough to help them if they lose their job? Of course, you do. Enough to listen to them if someone in their family dies? Of course, you do. Enough to talk to them about their sin if you learn that they are having an affair? Uhhhh. Enough to talk to their unmarried son about his sin if his girlfriend becomes pregnant? Uhhhh. Enough to talk to them about their drinking if you learn they received a DUI? Uhhhh.
Sadly, many Christians would say, “Well, that isn’t really my job. I’ll call the preacher so he can go visit them.” Even worse, many might even say, “That really isn’t any of our business. After all, ‘judge not’”. Only a few would probably put these verses into practice.
Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
James 5:19-20 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring them back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the way of error will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
Matthew 18:15 If a brother or sister sins, go and point out the fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
Would you be one of the FEW or one of the MANY? Do you realize that if you are one of the many, you may say that you love them, but those are just cheap words. If you would not GO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR SIN, then you do not truly love them. That would mean that you could see their soul in jeopardy and fail to do what God’s Word tells you to do. That would also that you don’t truly love the LORD. “If you love me, keep my commandments.” John 14:15
If you are one of the many, it is TIME TO REPENT. Choose to love your fellow believers enough to talk to them about serious sins you may see. What are serious sins? There are actually several places in the NT that cover this subject. If you learn that any of your fellow believers are involved in these sins, GO! And GO NOW!
Immorality (pre-marital sex, adultery, homosexuality, lesbianism) 1 Cor. 5:11
Refusal to work, expecting the church to provide 2 Thess. 3:6-11
Causer of division in the church Rom. 16:17-18; Titus 3:10
Covetousness (to defraud others for personal gain) 1 Cor. 5:11
Reviler (verbally abusive to fellow believers, that would include spouse) 1 Cor. 5:11
Idolater (continuously place something ahead of God) 1 Cor. 5:11
Drunkenness 1 Cor. 5:11; Gal. 5:21
Extortion (to forcibly obtain something from someone) 1 Cor. 5:11
Busybodies (habitual gossipers) 2 Thess. 3:11
False teachers 1 Jn 2:18-23; 4:1-6; 2 Jn 9-10; 3 Jn 9-10
May those of us in the Kingdom of God love each other enough to even do the hard things to help each other get to heaven. God bless.
