True Spirituality

Galatians 6:1-5

Recently I have heard about the resignation of a pastor due to infidelity and the result has had some devastating, lifelong consequences to attend it. This seems to be a common occurrence these days in Christian leadership circles, and it really does a lot of harm to the body of Christ and its testimony in and to the world.

Our first response in many ways is shock, and then the second is anger and disappointment. We feel let down the most by those in whom we place the most confidence in. Our reactions may indeed vary, and some can be extreme, but it is important to remember that the Bible teaches us that these things do happen, and it teaches us how to respond. We have the examples of Sampson, David, and Solomon to show us that some of God’s wisest and strongest men have their momentary times of ignorance and weakness. Indeed, man at his best and the best of men have faults and failures, and we dare not make a tabernacle (place of worship) for man. Does this mean that we cannot trust our leadership? Of course not! There are many who have kept the faith and been strong, but it is only by the grace of God that they do not succumb to temptation.

How should we respond to situations like these? Well, our text tells us that the spiritual man or woman seeks to restore. This is I think the true test of spirituality. It is the true mark. To restore one to the faith is the primary act in times of failure. These are our brothers and sisters and when we consider others before ourselves, we should seek to pray, preserve, and provoke them to good works of which repentance is the first step. The reaction by many preachers to this situation has been one of condemnation, damnation, and separation. It is true that we find the true man or woman from the heart not only in their own failures, but also through the failures of others. The men and woman who have responded this way are simply not spiritual! Paul warns that we respond with tenderness and compassion lest we be tempted and experience the same fall.

Although this has not affected our community let us learn from this situation that attending church, reading the Bible and spiritual literature, wearing crosses are not the true signs of spirituality. It is when you and I are willing to be alongside of fallen and help restore them just like our savior who took their sin and our sin upon himself, identifying himself with us and not being ashamed to call us his brothers or sisters.

Pastor Robby