Love and Justice in the Face of Wickedness - HANDLING INSTANCES OF SERIOUS WRONGDOING

When elders handle any matter involving serious wrongdoing, they keep in mind that the law of the Christ requires that they treat the flock with love and do what is right and just in God's eyes. As a result,  they have a number of concerns when they receive a report  of serious wrongdoing.  The elders are primarily  concerned with spiritual welfare of their brothers and sisters in the congregation and want to help any who have been victims of wrongdoing. 

In addition, if the wrongdoer is a part of the congregation, elders are concerned with trying to reassure him if that is possible.   (Read James 5:14, 15)  A Christian who gives in to wrong desire and commits a serious sin is spiritually sick. This means that he no longer has a healthy relationship with Jehovah.  In a sense, the elders are spiritual physicians.  They endeavor to make "the sick one [in this instance, the wrongdoer] well." Their Scriptural counsel can help him to restore his relationship with God, But this is only possible if he is genuinely repentant. - ACTS 3:19; 2 CORINTHIANS 2:5-10. 

Clearly, elders have a weighty responsibility. They care deeply about the flock that God has entrusted to them.  (1 Peter 5:1, 3)  They want their brothers and sisters  to feel secure in the congregation.  For that reason, they act promptly when they receive a report of serious wrongdoing,including child abuse.  Consider the questions that appear at the beginning of  the following three paragraphs. 

Do elders comply with secular laws about reporting an allegation of child abuse to the secular authorities?  Yes.  In places where such laws exist, elders endeavor to comply with secular laws about reporting allegations of abuse.  (Romans 13:1) Such laws do not conflict with God's laws.  (Acts 5:28, 29) So when they learn of an allegation, elders immediately seek direction on how they can comply with laws about reporting it. 

Next time:  Love and Justice in the Face of Wickedness - Continue with HANDLING INSTANCES OF SERIOUS WRONGDOING

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