“Christian brothers, if a person is found doing some sin, you who are stronger Christians should lead that one back into the right way. Do not be proud as you do it. Watch yourself, because you may be tempted also” (Gal. 6:1)
No Christian should ever think that he or she is totally independent and doesn’t need help from others. Likewise, no one should feel excused from the task of helping others. The body of Christ – the Church – functions only when the members work together for the common good. Aware of this, Apostle Paul teaches that Christians owe it as a duty to encourage weak brethren or those who have fallen into sin.
It is true Christians do fall into sin, though it is not the norm. Like a temptation, sin can come like a mighty wind and a great tumble is recorded. No matter how strong the quality of anointing present in someone’s life, a tumble can happen and bring him/her down.
Therefore, when there is a great tumble such as a Sunday school teacher impregnating a girl, or a choir member is pregnant or a minister is found in a hotel with a prostitute or found performing miracles with fake means or a woman leader is caught stealing in the market, among others, what should be our attitude? Is it condemnation, pity or should we take steps towards restoring the fallen brother or sister?
Unfortunately, some people gather in small groups and begin to wag their tongues: “Isn’t it terrible that he/she fell into such a tragedy? Who should have suspected so? What a stupid thing he/she did?” But this is when a believer needs to be cautious. Your action or body language can be a source of help or concern to one caught fallen in faith. This is the time such a brother or sister needs your godly help.
However, it should be noted that it is not easy to deal with such a situation in a Christian community, especially when a brother or a sister brings reproach on the Church and it becomes weightier, when it is a leader or a minister involved in a scandalous action. The Bible had noted: “Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, the man who is my partner, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. Strike down the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered and I will turn against the lambs”, (Zach. 13:7). I know of some Church congregations hit by such action that are still licking their wounds. However, those of us still upstanding in faith need to ensure that such persons or leaders are restored back to faith. We do not need to mock them.
Indeed, we must note that while trying to restore a brother or sister or a leader in God’s Church, our attitude should be that of love and not of condemnation. If we are not judgmental, there is the likelihood that the degree of restoration will be higher and faster. If supported with visiting and prayer, the healing will be smoother.
If we also offer encouragement, one is likely to be repentant and the possibility of he/she opening up in confession is very high. May be, in the time past, some who fell into sin and backslide in faith may not have received this treatment. It is good we establish that one out to restore the other is not happy about the source or cause of fall, but that what is upmost in his/her heart is how best to bring the fallen to the shelter of the Lord’s house.
Ven. Ernest Onuoha
Rector, Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor, Delta State.
www.ibrucentre.org
