Great expectations and great disappointments

Christians seem to fall into serious sin with alarming regularity. One of our problems today is that this surprises us. Church leaders and others are proving they have feet of clay, and we are shocked. In our shock we can be tempted to discount everything they ever did, as they were obviously ‘sinners all along’. Not just their feet but everything is believed to be clay in the clear light of hindsight. Many are disillusioned when brothers in Christ publicly fall into sin. But look at Noah, Moses, David, Solomon and Peter. All of them fell after walking with God for some time. Are we shocked? Do we discount every good thing they ever did? We are all sinners and it’s a miracle of grace that God uses or gets good out of any of us.

Even the best Christian is a sinner by nature. In Romans 7:22,23, Paul says, For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members… bringing me into captivity to the law of sin… . In our experience we all recognise our daily tendency toward sin. 

Like gravity, a law is constantly at work to drag us down into sin. Praise God another law is at work in us also! This second law lifts us up out of sin, makes us walk according to the Spirit and grow in our likeness to Christ (Romans 8:1-2; Galatians 5:16). But while it has freed us from invariable obedience to the sinful nature, the second law has not negated the first.

Yet we should be optimists. We serve an optimistic Saviour. How else would you describe the One who planned before time to redeem depraved people and transform them into the radiant Bride of Christ to be to the praise of God’s glory for ever? His optimism is grounded in his own sovereign power to accomplish all that he wills. Our optimism should rely upon the same sovereign power to accomplish his will in us (Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:28-30). Nevertheless, our acknowledging the working of these two laws in us should also make us realists. Many are unprepared for the reality of struggling with sin to be seen in church life. Many of us pray for converts, but are we then prepared to wrestle with them in prayer and give practical help as they put to death the sins of their old nature (2 Timothy 2:10; Hebrews 3:13)? We live in an evil generation and its slaves are so often bound in many forms of habitual sin. Do we recognise our obligation as members of the same Body to help them nail their sinful habits to Christ’s cross (Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:13)? And more mature Christians are surely still in need of such support. Do we see ourselves as accountable to keep spurring each other on in sanctification?

As members of Christ’s Church locally expressed we are all involved in mutual discipline. It is our duty to admonish one another (Matthew 18:15-16) – in love and with wisdom, of course – and to put straight the issues outstanding between us (1 Corinthians 1:10). Or do we leave all that up to the pastor or elders (after all, that’s what we pay them for)? While it is undoubtedly their work to admonish, rebuke and restore, how much upset in church life would be prevented were all the members biblically accountable to one another in little things. Galatians 6:1 instructs us, Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

All of us should aim to be spiritual and it is our duty to help others get out of sin. We too are sinners, but that’s no excuse not to help. Don’t forget that we must remove the log from our own eye in order that we may help our brother with his speck (Matthew 7:5). This is the duty of all the church. It may be we who fall next (1 Corinthians 10:12). As we would hope someone would haul us back onto our feet and dust us off, so we should humbly provide that help to others. Happy the churches in which people strengthen and help each other, where frailties are recognised and mutual support and love are given! We must not simply be shocked when brothers or sisters fall, but we should be ready to prevent, arrest and correct their falls. Such readiness takes into account the fallen nature of mankind, the nature of ongoing sanctification, and the local church’s responsibility to uphold the glory of Christ among its members by keeping them from sin. In such a way may God fulfil our expectations and save us from disappointments.

(A helpful book is: John MacArthur, Master’s Plan for the Church, 287pp, Moody, ISBN 0-80247-841-7).