Love and Justice in the Christian Congregation - Conclusion of HOW SHOULD THOSE IN AUTHORITY TREAT OTHERS

What is the role of elders in handling cases of serious wrongdoing?   Their role is different from that of judges and elders under the Law that God gave Israel. Under that Law, appointed men handled not only spiritual matters but the spiritual  matters  but also civil and criminal cases. But under the law of the Christi, the elder's role is to handle the spiritual aspects of the wrongdoing.  They recognized that the secular authorities have the God-given responsibility to handle civil and criminal cases. That includes the authority to impose such penalties as fines or imprisonments.  - ROMANS 13:1-4. 

How do elders handle the spiritual aspects of wrongdoing?  They use the Scriptures to weigh mattes and make decisions.  They keep in mind that love is the foundation of the law of the Christ. Love moves the elders to consider:  What needs to be done to help any in the congregation who have been victims of the wrongdoing?  Regarding the wrongdoer, love moves the elders to consider: Is he repentant? Can we help him to regain his spiritual health?

How thankful we are to be under the law of the Christ!  When all of us work hard to obey it, we help to make our congregation a place each individual can feel loved, valued, and safe.  Still  we living in a world where "wicked men" have advanced "from bad to worse." (1 Timothy 3:13) We must not let down our guard. How can the Christian congregation reflect God's justice when dealing with child abuse?  The next article will answer that question. 

Next time: Love and Justice in the Face of Wickedness

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