A Publication
of the
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A
CASE STUDY OF MOURNING SIN
“Mourning” from a scriptural point of view
is often related to the loss of a loved one (Eccl. 7:2), or to the grief
inflicted upon the righteous by the wicked through oppression (Ps. 12:5). In
this study we shall apply “mourning” to Sin, and dwell strictly upon grieving
over the sins that others commit. The word for “mourn” in the New Testament as
it relates to our study means “to grieve” (Strongs'
Help, pentheo).
WE MOURN THE SINS OF OTHERS WHEN WE ARE JUSTIFIABLY ANGRY AT SIN,
EX. 32:18-21
This
is the record of Moses coming down from the Mount ( Ex.
32). Aaron, when caught in sin,
foolishly said that he cast the gold into the fire “and this calf came out.”
Isn’t it amazing that it made itself! That’s what we sound like to others when
we seek to justify ourselves in sin. There’s something missing in one’s life
should they be able to come off the Mount and not be overwhelmed by the sight
of idolatrous sexual revelry. Here is an example of a place for righteous
indignation (anger). That God was far more angry than
Moses is seen in His command (read Ex. 32:26-28). Later Moses says God wanted
to kill the people, and would have destroyed Aaron as well! (De. 9:18-20)
Question: Which is better? To get justifiably angry with someone in sin and do
what God instructs you to do about that person, and thus save your own soul and
the souls of others if possible, or to be passive and allow that individual to
destroy himself and
others? Question: Which is a sign or spiritual strength? To be angry at sin
(justifiably) or to remain passive and squelch the kind of anger that Moses
demonstrates here?
WHEN WE MUST TELL SOMEONE HIS OR
HER EXCUSES HAVE COME TO AN END, I SAM.
15:22-23
This
text is about Samuel when Saul was rejected as King for disobeying God’s
command to kill all of the Amalekites (I Sam. 15).
After Saul’s sin of the unlawful sacrifice (Ch. 13), and the foolish oath (
WHEN WE GET UP AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, NU. 25:1-11
This text deals with
Where did Phinehas’
zeal come from? Question: Is there anybody you should be angry with this very
day? Has anyone you know been violating God’s truth in such a careless fashion?
Later after a battle with the Midianites the men brought back these very women (Nu.
31:9-18). Why do you suppose they saved the women alive? People lost their
souls, suffered, and wept and mourned sin, so why repeat the same sin? Moses
did not tolerate this! Once having showed indignation, or having been shown
indignation towards sin, why allow one to return and repeat the same?
WHEN WE PRAY SO AS TO COMPEL OTHERS TO REPENT, EZRA 9:1-4
Ezra’s prayer expresses: shame and
humiliation over their guilt before God (v. 6), their past sins and the
consequences suffered as a result (v. 7), thankfulness for the remnant through God’s
grace (v. 8-9), acknowledgment that they had forsaken His commandments as
stated (10-12), and intercession lest they be consumed by God’s anger having
done it again (13-15). Some, such as Shechaniah (10:2) joined with Ezra in confessing their sin.
Notice that he agreed with Ezra solely because this was what should “be done
according to the law” (10:3). Later in an assembly (
WHEN WE WILLINGLY ENGAGE IN CONTROVERSY, CHOOSE APPROPRIATE
EXAMPLES OF DISOBEDIENCE FROM THE SCRIPTURES, AND DEMAND A COMMITMENT, NEH.
13:23-27
Here righteous indignation fills another
man, Nehemiah. He’s grieved over the same sin Ezra was in Ezra 9. He reminds
them that even the wisest king of
THROUGH LAYING ASIDE THE PRIDE THAT OVER RIDES THE NECESSITY OF
CHURCH DISCIPLINE, I Cor. 5:2, 6
The church at
The Steps:
From Matthew
1.Go to the member and show their fault in
private.
2. If he/she does not
listen, go with one or two witnesses.
3. If he/she
refuses to listen, take the matter before the church.
4. If he/she
refuses to hear the church then withdraw yourself.
From I
Corinthians 5:
1. Remove the
one in error by “public” withdrawal (1 Cor. 5:4-5).
2. Do not associate with (not even to eat with) the
disobedient person (I Cor. 5:9-11). Paul’s plain application is do not even eat
with such a person!
3. You are authorized to speak to him/her as one who
needs a warning (2 Th.
4.
Forgiveness and comfort are in order if he/she through shame chooses to repent
(2 Th.
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