Recently, a number of brothers and sisters have expressed concern that we set a bad example by accepting repentant sinners back into fellowship. The concern was that we thereby give an excuse to others to behave in the same sinful manner. My response follows.
A bad example or a good example?
People undoubtedly abuse the grace, mercy, longsuffering and forgiveness of God. Whenever these blessings are extended, the risk for abuse is there. Does that stop God from offering grace? No! “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 5:20-21 RSV). I believe we set a good example by restoring fellowship. Some illustrations of this grace follow.
Recipients of grace
While in fellowship with God, Adam and Eve chose to satisfy their own will in defiance of God’s will. When asked about their disobedience, they both confessed (Gen. 3:11-13). God proceeded to cover their nakedness (sin) through sacrifice. Though they suffered the immediate consequences of their selfishness, they were nevertheless forgiven and given another opportunity. Should God not have extended that grace?
To Cain, mercy was extended. He, like many after him, refused it. He abused that privilege and turned his back on God (Gen. 4:7,16). Should God not have extended His offer?
On God’s behalf, Joseph forgave and cared for the 10 brothers who conspired against him (Gen. 50:15-21).
David and Gomer
On the surface, it would appear that Ahithophel set a better example than God in his attitude toward David. Ahithophel knew that David deserved death. Having committed such vile sin, how could David execute justice in the land? He would be the laughing stock of every criminal and immoral person. Yet how did God respond? He readily extended His grace of forgiveness even though some may have tried to abuse His mercy (2 Sam. 12:13; 16:23; 17:23). David, like Adam and Eve, suffered for his sin, but God’s righteous example is one of forgiveness.
By his treatment of Gomer, the prophet Hosea demonstrated the way God deals with each of us. God first takes us as adulterous sinners and cleanses us through Jesus Christ. He does so knowing full well that each of us will, in one form or another, commit figurative adultery with the world. “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4). Looking at such words and being honest with ourselves, can any of us feel smug about our pure walk in the Lord or our good example? Shouldn’t we all recognize our own sinfulness and seek to emulate the longsuffering of Hosea and of God?
Hosea’s relationship with Gomer relates to the idea of a pre-fellowship probation that some have suggested would be a good idea. There is no probation period evident in this case. “So I bought her…and I said to her, You must dwell as mine…so will I also be to you” (Hos. 3:2-3 RSV). Probation follows our fellowship with God as we are to continue in well doing being faithful to the end. And a probational withholding from fellowship is not intimated in the words, “If your brother…sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times in the day, and says, I repent, you must forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4 RSV).
New Testament examples
It might appear Jesus was setting a bad example for all ages when he set free and completely forgave the adulterous woman (John 8). Surely to the scribes and Pharisees truth and righteousness must be maintained. This woman knew better than to do what she did. She was a daughter of Abraham. Could Jesus not see that? In the opinion of the Pharisees, he was lowering the standard of holiness.
Think of all the problems the ecclesia would face by offering the water of life to such a degenerate person as the woman of Samaria. She was living common-law after five previous marriages (John 4). Yet through her, the gospel reached the whole city and “Many Samaritans…believed in him.” Jesus set us an example of how to handle this kind of person.
The prodigal son
One might argue that the father of the prodigal son made a mistake (Luke 15). Surely it must have been wrong to upset the family (ecclesia?) by welcoming such a self-indulgent, avaricious, inconsiderate, unkind, immoral person back into the family. The father did so without hesitation, running out to welcome him before he ever said, “I’m sorry.”
He did not even mention his intention to his “faithful” son. Isn’t that outrageous of the father not to at least consult his family before making such an eventful decision as to welcome this wretch? Isn’t it wrong to risk losing a faithful son for the sake of one that has corrupted himself with harlots? Wouldn’t you think this son should have been subjected to a period of probation? A long period!?
What a “bad example” the father set! He has opened the door to all kinds of ecclesial abuses. One could argue the “sinless” son was right and the father wrong. The words of Jonah come to mind, “I knew that thou art a gracious God and merciful…and repentest of evil” (Jonah 4:2). And there are other words we recall, “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matt 6:15). What kind of conduct best exemplifies the spirit of God and of His commands?
Grace, not law
Jesus upgraded the law to a higher standard of holiness and responsibility. The expression, “but I say unto you” (Matt. 5:22,28,32,34,39,44) is one phrase that draws attention to the point. Where the law dealt with open acts of violence or passion, the Master looked to attitudes of mind and emotions of the heart. This makes his teaching more difficult to keep because we must act according to the spirit of the commands.
As the apostles emphasize, however, Jesus went further; he freed us from Law. He brought us under grace whereby we may, through confession, repent of our sins and freely be forgiven (cf. Rom. 3:19-24). Thus Jesus, though setting a higher standard of righteousness than the Law, superseded the Law by opening the way whereby sin is covered and all sinners who repent are cleansed though grace. “…be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32 RSV). “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” (Gal. 6:1).
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One