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Lack of Holiness Affects the Whole Body

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God made our holiness possible through the death of Jesus who paid the penalty our sin deserved. With His righteousness imputed to us (2 Cor. 5:21), we’re able to be in fellowship with a holy God. Living in sin blocks that fellowship …. with both God and other believers. When we love God and people, we want to see that fellowship restored. Hence, we do what we can to help erring members understand the effects of their sin on themselves but also on the whole Body.

In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Eph. 2:21-22)

What One Person Does Affects the Whole Body

Sin in the lives of our church members can’t be seen as merely a personal issue if we want a holy church. When the Apostle Paul confronted the church in Corinth about their failure to discipline someone living in sin, he said,

Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? (1 Cor. 5:6)

Steer the Church Toward Christ-like Character Because a Lack of Holiness Affects the Whole Body
The Steering the Church Toward Christ-like Character Leadership Guide considers three ways a lack of holiness in individuals can affect the whole Body.

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4 Replies to “Lack of Holiness Affects the Whole Body”

  1. Hello, Thank you for this article. My husband and I have become disheartened in learning our pastor’s response to people living in sexual immorality. He seems to think it is okay if they are engaged. We are not trying to split hairs, it’s just that my husband oversees the new member process and when there is known sin we feel it should be addressed before these people become church members. We are fearful of the affect that this and other ignored sins will have upon our church.

    • Hello, Nancy. I will take time to pray for you and your husband that God gives you wisdom in where to go from here. These are difficult days for the Church. We need to learn to navigate with BOTH grace AND truth. We live in a society where we justify behavior. The bottom line: Who defines righteous behavior — us or God? If God, then we must be holy as He is holy (1 Pet. 1:15). If us, then we will conform to the world and what feels good to us. The question we must ask: Who is most qualified to determine what is right — us or God? If us, then we’re limited by our finite understanding and guided by our own selfish desires and we can justify almost anything. Whereas, God, on the other hand is infinite, all-wise, all-knowing, seeing the beginning from the end, always loving, and always just. It doesn’t take much to figure out who knows what is right and best. — “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Is. 55:9)

    • Apparently, Cory Albert, if it is the second time the pastor committed adultery, lessons were not learned after the first time. It is difficult to provide a more definitive response without an understanding of how the first time was handled. Was help provided, like counseling, to deal with issues that led to such behavior? Was the pastor provided with the kind of support and accountability needed? While forgiveness and restoration are important, repentance was also needed and a willingness to take measures to prevent future occurrences. The Matthew 18 passage more so instructs us in the process for talking with the person. Just because that passage does not deal with consequences or subsequent steps that the person must take, after repentance, doesn’t mean further action isn’t needed. — Certainly, since this is the second time, it would seem further action is required for the pastor to step down for the sake of the church body and testimony. But, if willing, the pastor should also be extended the kind of help needed.

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