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Conviction and Judgment
By Rev. Kelvin N. Broadus
Ever notice this brothers and sisters,
First we all know that every man falls short of the glory, even ministers and
leaders. Yet so often we set ourselves up for unnecessary heartache by
esteeming a great spiritual leader too high. I've even heard some people feel
so strongly about their pastors that they would literally say, "I'm sure
he never sins or has never sinned ever." I've actually heard that. Even
though the Bible teaches us that no man is perfect, except Jesus when He lived.
It is also true that because He lives in us, that we are able to overcome all
sin, but Jesus still has been the only to achieve such ever recorded.
There are some common traits about us when we do fall short of the glory. It
usually takes us being EXPOSED in our sin before we finally change, in
particular about an issue that we're struggling with. But the main thought of
this post is, when a leader/minister is exposed, what is the proper judgment?
When Jesus spoke to the adulterous woman, he told the people let the one
without sin cast the first stone. People jump quickly to point the finger, and
call the person a hypocrite. How is the person a hypocrite unless he/she is
justifying the wrong done as ok? Usually if someone is struggling with an
issue, they know that it is wrong. Hypocrisy occurs when one is justifying for
himself, what he is saying is wrong for everyone else. Here is an example.
There was this large church in my old community, and the pastor was exposed to
be viewing pornography on the church computer. Everyone went wild with judgment,
as if they were without any sin themselves. Now, the pastor was relieved of
duty temporarily for a sabbatical, but he never said it was right what he did,
in fact, he said it was wrong, and admitted his sin in complete humility and
condemnation. If he was exposed, most likely he had been struggling with it for
a while, and during that time, everyone loved him and the word that was being
delivered through him, it was just unknown. So why, once it was exposed, should
everyone now treat him as less?
The point I'm getting at is, the truth is the truth no matter where it came
from. It was honorable for the resignation, but then again, if it had not been
exposed, no one would have had any problem with him. The true honor would have
been to resign or take the sabbatical before it was exposed, because the
conviction was already there, it was the judgment that pushed the conclusion.
True honor is due by correcting error before it gets exposed, because if it has
to be exposed to be changed, it is not for the purest reason. Yet that is such
a common trait with all of our struggles that we continue amidst our conviction
by the spirit, until we face the fear of judgment from others.
The second point is that the exposure of the leader's fault should not be
justification for the flock to judge, attack, and abandon, but should signal
prayer for that leader. I say that because, up until that point, that person
was good enough, and the word coming forth was still true (unless the word was
corrupted). Now, just because he/she has been exposed has not made the word any
less true, or made the person any less of a person. It has only exposed the
weakness that love and support can overcome. Why? Because before it was exposed
the leader was still struggling, and they were good enough, and the word was
true. That person's situation or anything about that person has not changed,
except for the better because now they are able to improve. The only thing that
has changed is everyone else's knowledge of what was hidden. The exposure of
the sin can only cause the person to become better because now he can overcome
the struggle, that is, if the once-so-so called-dedicated flock would continue
to love and support him/her through the struggle. It is harder to help someone
where you are struggling also; yet, the truth is the truth no matter where it
comes from. Something to ponder. Mainly just because we as people are so quick
to come against someone for their struggles and sins, though we have our own
that are hidden, and yet if our own were exposed we'd want the mercy and
continued love and support that we refuse to show our neighbor. We and others
can overcome all those thorns, but it helps to have the help of TRUE CHRISTIAN
LOVE, because true Christian love, is unconditional, without judgment,
understanding, and unfading amidst all else that is brought forth.
By the grace of God,
Kelvin
UGFE Ministries
2001 © Rev. Kelvin N. Broadus, UGFE Ministries. All rights reserved.