Jesus described two terrible situations in the verse. First, it will be terrible for anyone who causes others to sin. Second, it will be terrible for the person who does the tempting. Jesus’ followers face constant temptations from the world to do evil. Yet this does not excuse those individuals who are the cause of stumbling. This responsibility to lead people correctly applies to individuals, churches, and institutions. No person or organization should lead people astray into sin.
The action of surgically cutting sin out of their lives should be prompt and complete in order to keep them from sin. All who desire to follow Jesus must remove any stumbling blocks that cause sin. Jesus did not mean to literally cut off a part of the body; He meant that any relationship, practice, or activity that leads to sin should be stopped. As a person would submit to losing a diseased appendage (hands or feet) or a sense (sight) in order to save his or her life, so believers should be just as willing to “cut off” any temptation, habit, or part of their nature that could lead them to hold on to this world and turn away from Christ and into sin.
Just cutting off a limb that committed sin or gouging out an eye that looked lustfully would still not get rid of sin, for that must begin in the heart and mind. Jesus was saying that people need to take drastic action to keep from stumbling. The reason? Jesus explained that it would be better to have lost some worldly possession, attitude, or action than to keep it and be thrown into hell. This is true, radical discipleship.
Little ones can refer to both children and disciples. The words don’t despise pointed directly at the pious religious leaders who showed nothing but contempt for those below them on the “spiritual ladder” (Luke 18:9-14). The reason the “little ones” should not be despised is because in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father. Some have seen in these verses the concept of guardian angels. These words neither prove nor condemn the concept. Being in God’s presence means having access to God, so these angels are ministering angels (see Hebrews 1:14). The Old Testament does not speak about guardian angels assigned to God’s people, but it does speak of angelic intercession and help (Psalm 91:11).
Jesus was addressing his disciples, reminding them that God’s care extends to each of his “little ones” (here portrayed as sheep). If a sheep should go astray from the flock, God, like a protective shepherd, will go out into the hills to search for the lost one. God is concerned about every single believer and will actively go in search of those who have “gone astray” (meaning they have gotten out of a right relationship with him, are heading toward false teaching, are heading down a dangerous path in life, or are falling into sin).
The sheep went astray, but the shepherd sought after it. The Father does not want any of his flock to wander away. God so loves each of his followers that, should they go astray, he actively seeks and rejoices when they return to him. A sheep that is not “found” (that is, one that willingly refuses faith) will face a consequence—that sheep will perish. But God does not want that to happen. He will rejoice over a “lost” person who is “found!” And God wants faithful believers to be part of the rescue team. Our follow-through care of new Christians, our small group ministry, and our individual contact with fellow believers should demonstrate the Great Shepherd’s care for his sheep.
These are Jesus’ guidelines for dealing with those who sin against us. These guidelines were meant for Christians and for discipline and conflict resolution in the context of the church. These steps are designed to reconcile church members who disagree, so that the church body can live in harmony. Jesus explained that the person who has been offended must first go privately and point out the fault. A personal confrontation, carried out in love, will allow the sinning member the opportunity to correct himself. However, the person doing the confronting ought to be very certain of his accusation and that he is doing this out of true humility with a view to restoration of the other (Galatians 6:1-4). Many misunderstandings and hurt feelings can be solved at this stage, but this is not a license for a frontal attack on every person who hurts or slights us.
Personal action saves church leaders from getting involved in everyone’s personal concerns. Personal confrontation also keeps believers from gossiping with one another. Instead, believers are to be mature enough to go directly to the source and deal with the problem at that level.
If the personal confrontation yields nothing, then the confronter is to proceed to step two. In this step, he takes one or two others along. This is backed up by Old Testament Law (Deuteronomy 19:15). These “others” also ought to help in reconciliation at this second meeting, hoping to settle the matter privately. An erring person might be willing to listen to the wise counsel of these others. In addition, they serve as witnesses to this meeting.
If the additional witnesses can accomplish no reconciliation and the person still refuses to listen, then the third step is to take the case to the church. The objective at this point still is not disciplinary action but helping the sinning person to see his or her fault, repent, and be restored. But even the law of love has its limit. The fourth and last step is to disassociate with that person. The goal, even through this difficult act, is to help the person see his or her sin and repent. Paul recommended such action to the church in Corinth. The person should be treated as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.
While all people in the church are “sinners saved by grace,” and while no church will ever be free of members who commit sin, the person described here has a huge blind spot to sin, and many people can see it. Yet this person refuses to listen to those whom God sends to help. In the church, believers are to teach, challenge, encourage, admonish, help, and love each other. But there can be no true fellowship with a believer who commits sin and refuses the loving guidance of his or her fellow church members.
SO WHAT? (what will I do with what I have read today?)
Sin is a big deal to God. In our culture and in our churches, we have minimized sin to the point we rarely even talk about it anymore. I recently had a fellow pastor tell me that in his church they haven't used the word "sin" in over two years - "people just don't relate to sin anymore", he said.
As I read this passage, I am reminded of what my sin cost and who had to pay the price for my sin. Sin cost Jesus His life. Jesus paid for my sin. How can I not be repulsed then, when I continue to do the very thing that Jesus came to eradicate?
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 (NIV)
"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (NIV)
"For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23 (NIV)
PRAYER
Lord, today, give me a great sensitivity to sin. Lord, today, I want every action and every word of mine to honor You - to glorify You. Help build a church where every person understands what sin is (missing the mark) and what the damaging effects of sin are. Lord, give me a heart to continue to go after those who have lost their way and been caught up in some sin. Give them a heart to return to you (repent).
Lord, thank you for Emily. Help us today on her birthday show her how You feel about her and Lord, help us to communicate to her the gifts and potential we see in her life. Give her a great day. Lord, thank you for the privilege it is to be her dad. protect her from being a church kid or a pastor's kid. Help her be a kid who loves you with all of her heart, soul, mind and strength.
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