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“Holiness Versus Reconciliation”
Categories: Meditations
Yesterday’s discussion about family withdrawal was notable both for its length and its civility. It certainly made me think a lot about what I had written, and eventually I realized that the back-and-forth was about one underlying theme: the tension between holiness and reconciliation. In our dealings with those who have fallen from grace, should we be more concerned about restoring them or protecting ourselves from temptation?
If we wanted to, we could create a long list of Scriptures arguing both sides of the point. Paul’s incredulous question in 1 Corinthians 5:6, “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”, appeals to the Corinthians to consider their own holiness. On the other side, Jesus’ declaration in Luke 5:32, “I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance,” certainly affirms His desire to reconcile.
What are we to make of this? Is Jesus’ example not one we are to follow? Is Paul instructing the Corinthians to be un-Jesus-like (not that they needed much help with that)?
I think the answer has to do with the spiritual condition of both Jesus and the Corinthians. In our interactions with anybody, our first concern has to be our own holiness. Worldly people are dangerous; lapsed Christians are even more dangerous. They are on a downward spiritual trajectory, they have a pre-existing relationship with us, and if their sin is not identified, they potentially can corrupt an entire church.
In our dealings with such people, we shouldn’t try to pull them out of the water if they are going to pull us out of the boat instead. This, of course, was the Corinthians’ problem. Instead of condemning sin, they were celebrating it! As a result, Paul counsels them to protect what little holiness they have left by cutting off contact with the sinner.
Jesus’ conduct was very different because His spiritual condition was very different. Rather than shunning covenant-breaking Jews, He sought out the worst covenant-breakers he could. He ate and drank with prostitutes and tax collectors.
However, this doesn’t reflect foolishness on the part of our Lord. It reflects righteousness and love. He knew that those wicked people wouldn’t drag Him down. Instead, He would lift them up. Because His holiness was secure, He could afford to seek reconciliation.
As we make decisions about how we should approach erring brethren, especially erring family members, we must ask ourselves whether our spiritual condition is closer to Corinth or to Christ. This is not an easy question! It is often true that those who are closest to the fallen-away are on spiritually shaky ground themselves. If we lie to ourselves about our own strength and minimize the danger, they will drag us down too. Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall, indeed!
On the other hand, it may be that we have the spiritual maturity we need to follow the example of Jesus. Again, never should we reach this conclusion lightly! Otherwise, like Peter, we may be out of the boat before we figure out we don’t have what it takes.
However, if our faith is strong enough, we may have opportunity to engage in that most praiseworthy of Biblical pursuits: turning back the sinner from the error of his way. Maybe cutting off all social interaction is the best way to accomplish this (and if our holiness is not what it should be, it’s the only tool we have); maybe continued contact and loving admonition is. I’m not here to judge anybody else’s judgment calls. I am certain, though, that we must keep the goal in mind and seek it as best we know how.
Truly, blessed are the peacemakers, but so too are those who suffer loss while they themselves are saved. Let us seek the first, if possible, but let us never forget the second, always bearing in mind the wisdom of Galatians 6:1: “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
