J O H N W. M O O R E

THE CHURCH'S ATTITUDE TOWARD THE WAYWARD

Attitude can make the difference. It can determine success or failure in any endeavor. It is the basis of human behavior; and without a proper attitude, our actions will not be acceptable to God or our fellow man. The Christian has the obligation to act responsibly to a wayward brother or sister, but such action will not result without the right attitude. The backsliding, wayward child of God must be converted from the error of his way (James 5:19f). It is a Christian's obligation to restore a brother overtaken in a trespass (Gal. 6:1-2), and to instruct those who "oppose themselves, that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil." (II Tim. 2:25-26) However, converting, restoration, and recovering of the wayward most often will not take place if the attitude of the church is misplaced, inappropriate, or untrained.

Regarding the wayward, the attitude of the church must be characterized by concern. Like Jesus, we must be deeply concerned about the lost. His concern was reflected in His actions as He went to the home of the sinners (Matt. 9:10) and mourned over the wayward Jews of Judaism (Matt. 23:37). He took an interest in the salvation of others, always concerned about their relationship to the Father. His purpose in coming to earth was to minister to others and to give His life a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28). He was selfless. He looked not upon His own things but upon the things and cares of others (cf. Phil. 2:4f). He took time to talk to and correct an adulterous woman (John 4), a materialistic tax collector (Luke 19), a misguided lawyer (Matt. 22:34-40), a convicted criminal (Luke 23:43), and hard-hearted religious liberals and legalists (Matt. 22 and 23).

Jesus not only acted out of concern for the wayward, but He taught His disciples to care about them as well. In the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15), He revealed the value of the human soul. Though 99% of the flock was safe, it was the one wayward sheep that got the shepherd's attention. The shepherd was obviously concerned about what belonged to him. Similarly, souls belong to God, and we should share the same concern for the wayward sheep of God's flock, the church. We should be moved with compassion for those who have separated themselves from God. Destruction both in this life and the life to come awaits the wayward child of God. We should not be "willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." (II Pet. 3:9) An attitude of concern will lead us to restore the wayward. Additionally, the church must be concerned the moment any sheep begins to go astray. In the Lord's parable, the lost sheep became lost because of a gradual process of moving further and further from the flock. In like manner, most who abandon the church do so gradually. They let salvation drift away (Heb. 2:1) by gradually missing more and more worship services or by less and less prayer and Bible study. The church must act quickly and demonstrate its genuine concern for the weak by giving her attention to their frailties and mistakes (I Thess. 5:14; Romans 15:1). Our apathetic attitudes will result in more and more souls meandering their way to hell. We must be concerned about the eternal destiny of our brethren.

Further, the attitude of the church must be characterized by conviction. Conviction has reference to a state of being convinced or a fixed and firm belief. Christians must be convinced that correction of the wayward is scripturally demanded. Despite the clamoring of a politically-correct society which hypocritically condemns judging, the church must make judgments about who has wandered away from God. True, we must not be a hypocrite when making a judgment (Matt. 7;1-5), but nonetheless judgments must be made in order to comply with God's commands to correct the wayward. If I judge righteously (John 7:24), then I must seek to restore the erring child of God. In Galatians 6:1, Paul uses the imperative mood to emphasize that we must restore the one who is overtaken in a trespass. We, therefore, must be convinced that it is not wrong to judge, confront, correct, or discipline the wayward. It is our duty, obligation, and privilege to convert the sinner from the error of his way, for such will "save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins." (Jas. 5:20)

Still further, the attitude of the church must be characterized by compliance. We must comply with the scriptural course to pursue in restoring the wayward. Developing concern and being convicted about the truth on judging and correction is not enough. The concerned Christian must take action. That action includes: (1) teaching the wayward (II Tim. 2:24-26); (2) praying for the wayward (I John 5:16); (3) converting or turning the wayward (Jas. 5:19-20); (4) restoring the wayward (Gal. 6:1; "restore" was used as a surgical term in referring to setting a bone or joint); (5) admonishing them (I Thess. 5:14; "admonish" means to warn, advise, or put one in mind about the consequences of sin and the withdrawal of fellowship); and, as a last resort (6) withdrawing fellowship (II Thess 3:6; I Cor. 5:9-13).

Indeed, the church must be concerned, convicted, and in compliance with Scripture regarding the wayward. Far too many souls are being immersed into Christ only to be left alone and abandoned by uninvolved and careless congregations. The wayward soul is just as important as the one who has never obeyed the Gospel. Additionally, the erring brother will face a greater punishment on the day of judgment if he does not repent (II Pet. 2:20-22). Our attitude could possibly change that terrible outcome. Our attitude about the wayward must change. If it does not, the truth be told, then we have become the wayward.