Addressing Sin in the Church with Christlike Tenderness

To address known sin within the Adventist church, you must combine a firm, decided disapproval of the wrong with Christlike tenderness, patience, and brotherly kindness for the individualGW 30.3+2. It is a sacred duty to maintain the purity of the church, yet this work must always be performed under the direct control of the Holy Spirit and in accordance with the principles of the Word of God1TT 342.2+2.

The Spirit of the Approach

When you see a brother or sister erring, your primary objective is their restoration and the honor of God3T 266.2+1.

• Self-Examination First: Before you attempt to reprove another, you must ensure your own heart is being sanctified and that you are growing in the Christian graces, such as patience and godlinessGW 30.3+2.

• Avoid Harshness: While sin must be rebuked firmly, there is never an excuse to indulge in harshness, severity, or to gratify your own wrong feelingsST January 6, 1881, par. 8+1.

• Manifest Pity and Love: It is a difficult attainment to hate the sin while simultaneously showing pity and tenderness for the sinner, but this is the example Christ set for usGW 30.3+1.

• Use the Word of God: Reproofs are most effective when they are explained and enforced by the truths of the Bible rather than human opinionsTT 264.4+1. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine" 2 Timothy 4:2.

Steps for Personal Dealing

If a specific issue, such as a violation of health reform principles like coffee drinking, is observed, the following steps are essential:

• Private Consultation: Before believing or acting on a report of error, you should go directly to the person in question and ask with Christian tenderness if the statements are true15MR 176.3+1.

• Brotherly Kindness: A few words spoken in a spirit of brotherly kindness can often clear up misunderstandings or lead to a change in the erring one's heart15MR 176.3.

• The Danger of Leniency: You must guard against a "sinful leniency" that ignores or excuses wrong, as this can lead the erring person to reject necessary reproof as unjustLP 321.2+2.

• Plain Dealing: The true people of God will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins that easily beset the church, especially as we prepare for the sealing of the 144,0003T 266.2+1.

The Role of Authority and Discipline

While every member has a responsibility, those in positions of trust have a special accountability to keep the church pureCE 218.2+2.

• Accountability: If sins are passed over by those in responsible positions, the entire body of the church may be held responsible for those wrongs3T 265.1+1.

• Establishing Faith: When labor is done in harmony with the counsel of the church and in a spirit of loyalty, the results are churches that are established in the faith and increased in number daily Acts 16:5ChL 10.3.

• The Goal of Restoration: All discipline should be aimed at helping the individual realize the "exceeding sinfulness of sin" so they may seek the cleansing power of Christ and stand faultless before His throneGW 30.3+2.

Ultimately, we are to "be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another" Romans 12:10 always remembering that the purpose of the Son of God was to destroy the works of the devil and lead His children to righteousness 1 John 3:819MR 176.2.