Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye
which are spiritual restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted."
There seems to be a different standard used by some when restoring
a preacher who has been overtaken in a fault. While it’s true that a preacher’s
sins may affect more people, because he has more influence, but there should be
no double standard employed when deciding what constitutes sin, or when trying
to restore a fallen preacher. Preachers
must pay the penalty for, and accept the consequences of their own sins, the
same as anyone else. I know of one preacher who was incarcerated now because he
violated civil law. I know other ministers who are suffering mental anguish
because they brought reproach upon the church, their families, and their own
reputation. Atonement can be made for guilt, but often the consequences of sin
linger on. These facts should deter those who have not yet sinned, who have not
yet been overtaken in a fault.
I believe that there are times when we could salvage a soul, and
even a reputation, by being more "spiritual" when apprehending and
restoring fallen brethren, including preachers. There are such things as secret
sins according to Psalm 90:8, and these should be dealt with as such. There are
also personal transgressions, and these should involve no more people than what
are necessary to resolve the situation according to Matthew 18:15-17. If a sin
becomes public, then proportionate measures need to be taken in order to
correct the matter. We cannot do less, nor should we seek to do more than what
the Bible says for us to do.
However, there is a mentality in our nation and in the church,
which seems to rejoice in pastoral failures, and derive pleasure from the sinful
acts of others. Those who thrive on gossip and backbiting may not have
committed the same sins as the subjects of their juicy conversations, but the
penalty for "and such like" sins are the same as for murder and
adultery. This is not to say that false teachers should not be identified and
branded, especially when they will not repent. Neither do we condone sweeping a
fault or a sinful practice under the rug when it needs to be dealt with
forthrightly. But once a matter has been aired and resolved as well as humans
can do such things, let it rest. And, if a matter has escaped public detection,
and you are the only one capable of turning it into script fit for an afternoon
soap opera, resist the temptation to wash someone else's dirty linen.
Judas Iscariot turned out to be a hypocrite, but the eleven
disciples found someone to take his place, and the Lords caused survived. The
church in Jerusalem survived the hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira. Paul
rebuked Peter for dissimulation, and Peter had to face the consequences of such
an act, whatever they may have been, but Peter still endorsed the writings of the
apostle Paul.
The ministry of the Lord has suffered reproach from Eden to David
and Bathsheba, and in our time. It will continue to do so as long as the devil
tempts people beyond their desire or will to resist. But those of us who
consider ourselves to be spiritual will determine to a great extent just how
deeply the cause of Christ will be wounded, and how many souls will be lost or
saved, including our own, by the way we treat those who have fallen.
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