I’ve learned some things about sin: (1) all have sinned; (2) we are often happy to talk about someone else’s sin; (3) those sins that directly affect us tend to get overlooked, or excused; and (4) eventually we stop talking about sin because we are uncomfortable with our sinfulness, and we don’t want to be accused of being judgmental toward others. This is especially true when it comes to sexual sin. However, the truth remains that sin is the condition of humanity – all of us. And, there is a remedy for sin.
In my previous post, I wrote that the church should be a place of grace for all those who have fallen into sexual sin. First, we need to come to terms with a biblical definition of grace. For many, grace means the acceptance and forgiveness of sinners. That’s a good start, but it doesn’t explain the fullness of grace. Yes, God’s grace extends acceptance and forgiveness to fallen humans; but grace, through Christ and Holy Spirit, also heals the sinfulness of penitent humans. Yes, Christ (and the church) receives sinners, but in receiving there is a salvific transformation. So, what does this have to do with the restoration of those who have fallen into sexual sin?
Let’s look at two incidents in the New Testament. First, the familiar story of the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11). Here Jesus teaches us about the power of grace over law. The law judged and condemned the woman’s sinfulness. However, she was not the only sinner here. As the Pharisees were ready to condemn this woman – to stone her to death – Jesus confronted their sinfulness: “He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7). The Pharisees dropped their stones and walked away. Then Jesus turned to confront the adulteress: “I do not condemn you, either. Go. From now on sin no more” (John 8:11). Don’t miss what happened here. In his words, Jesus judged her and offered grace. By saying “sin no more” Jesus was not excusing her adultery; He was acknowledging her sinfulness, offering forgiveness, and challenging her to “go” in the way of righteousness. Notice the distinction between the Pharisees and Jesus. Standing before the Pharisees, she was judged to be an adulteress and condemned to die. Standing before Jesus, she was judged to be an adulteress, offered grace and given life! Maybe, Paul had this story in mind when he wrote, “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death” (Romans 8:1-2). The point is that Jesus did not excuse her sinfulness; Jesus set her free! When someone falls into sexual sin; then offers genuine confession and repentance, the church should “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1).
However, the problem is that not everyone who is confronted with their sinfulness is penitent. And, sometimes the church becomes complicit in sinfulness because of the failure to confront immorality in its midst. Let’s look at Paul’s challenge to the Church at Corinth. Again and again, Paul exhorted his converts to “flee sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18; 10:8; Galatians 5:19; Ephesian 5:3; Colossians 3:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:3; 1 Timothy 1:10). Even so, the believers at Corinth often failed, even ignoring blatant sinfulness within the church. Paul wrote:
It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and immorality of such a kind as does not exist even among the Gentiles, that someone has his father’s wife. You have become arrogant and have not mourned instead, so that the one who had done this deed would be removed from your midst. For I, on my part, though absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged him who has so committed this, as though I were present. In the name of our Lord Jesus, when you are assembled, and I with you in spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus, I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 5:1-5).
Paul rebuked the Corinthian believers for their tolerance of blatant sinfulness. Tolerance of sin is not grace. Tolerance of sin is an expression of arrogance – prideful self-righteousness. Paul does not suggest that the offender be graciously accepted into the community, but that the unrepentant offender be removed! Like it or not, unrepentant sinful behavior must be wisely and patiently confronted. Instead of arrogance and tolerance, Paul said they should be in mourning. Why? Because “the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Godly discipline is an act of grace! The purpose of godly discipline is “so that we may share His holiness” (Hebrews 12:5-11).
Paul has something else to say to us. Although we must exercise right judgment and godly discipline among the believing community, we should not separate ourselves from unbelievers – even those whose sexual behavior is immoral. We should be free to preach and teach Christian doctrine and ethics everywhere. But only God judges those outside of the fellowship of the church. As Paul said:
It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13, New Living Translation).
So how do we practice grace? Allow me a few examples. First, a few years ago I was approached by a man after a worship service. He informed me that he was recently released from prison in Florida and was a registered sex offender. He explained the nature of his offense (molesting boys) and then asked, “Will I be welcome in this church?” I replied, “Certainly, but be aware that I will notify our ushers and that you will be under scrutiny from the time you arrive until you leave.” He never returned. Even so, I believe that I acted graciously. I was willing, even eager, to accept him into our church. But, I was going to hold him accountable, and protect our children.
How should the church graciously respond to the epidemic of unwed teen pregnancies? It seems that when our teens behave immorally and get pregnant that too often our response is to throw them a party, aka, a baby shower. Or, the church reacts harshly and injures an already wounded soul. A gracious response holds both offenders responsible for their actions (it takes two!), leads them to sorrowful repentance, offers forgiveness, and provides long term counsel and care for all concerned.
Can homosexuals find grace in the Christian church? Yes! Paul wrote, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). There is no sinner beyond the reach of God’s grace. But, we must remember that being a recipient of God’s grace means “Go. From now on sin no more” (John 8:11). As sanctified believers we are all called to sexual purity. Homosexuals and heterosexuals alike must continue to resist the many temptations to sinful behavior.
Finally, how should the church respond to President Obama’s recent support for homosexual marriage? By his own admission, the President confesses to be a Christian. Therefore, he should be accountable to the Christian community for his actions.
Should Christians tolerate homosexual unions (or non-married heterosexual unions) within the Christian community? No.
Should the Christian church be free to engage the public square with its Christian sexual ethic? Yes, we should seek to influence civic morality for the common good.
Should the Christian church coerce non-believers into adopting our sexual ethic? No; but nor should we capitulate to the to the spirit of this present age. Above all, Christians should demonstrate genuine love and respect to all humans, even to those who oppose our mission to preach, teach, and disciple the nations of the earth. In the end God will judge us all.
