When a brother is caught in a sin…

The news came. I couldn’t believe it. I made another call and it was confirmed. A brother, a hero to my kids was arrested. It had already hit the newspapers and now it hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks. Stunned and sick to my stomach, I began to ask the typical questions: What did I miss? Should I have seen it coming? Were their victims that have been silently suffering until now? Wanting wisdom I called an elder/pastor in the faith. The church must be protected, I thought, but what about my brother?

The world will heap their accusations. Those who don’t know will speculate and slander, but now is the time for the Church to show what she is all about. Now is the time for the Church to show how God deals with sin, honestly and graciously. Jesus came to this sin filled world full of grace and truth. He came to seek and save those who were lost. and the Church, His body should now put into practice the character of Jesus.

Galatians 6:1 (NIV84)

¹ Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Over the next several hours scriptures telling of the wonderful grace of God would come to mind. Scriptures that I have shared with so many. Now they bring comfort and challenge to my heart and mind. I am challenged to think, my spirituality is measured in part by how I restore those caught in sin.

I am humbled and remember that sin can grab ahold of anyone. The moment that I think I immune is the moment that I am the most susceptible.

Sin stinks. Sin kills, destroys and injures. And when a person sins it effects all of those around them. It seems as though some sins are worse than others, but in the end all sin devastates. BUT….

“sin didn’t, and doesn’t, have a chance in competition with the aggressive forgiveness we call grace. When it’s sin versus grace, grace wins hands down. ” Romans 5:20-21 The Message

Remember Noah, the one righteous person on the earth whom God would use to build the ark rescuing his family and all of the animals? Noah was faithful to listen to God for 100 years in building an ark. And yet after the flood Noah planted a vineyard, became drunk, and laid naked in his tent. One son would expose the failing, two others would cover the sin. One son would be cursed two sons would be blessed.

Am I suggesting a cover-up and denial? Not at all, because when sin is revealed it can be dealt with in truth and grace. I want to have the heart of the sons that covered though.

1 Peter 4:8 (NIV84)

⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

Tear soaked telephone calls bring home the extent of the devastation of my brother’s sin. It is going to take work to recover. Sin is a terrible tax master. Other calls confirm in my heart the best of the Church. When I speak of the Church I am not referring to the organizations that employ pastors. The Church is God’s people called to live and love differently than the world would. People begin to tell me of ways they are ready to reach out and care for my brother and those who have been afflicted because of this sin. This is grace at work.

I do not know what the next chapter will hold. I do not know how this will all work out. But I do know this is not the last chapter in my brother’s life. This is not the end. Because in the end Grace Wins!