When Pillars Crumble
A Call to Unity
“And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision” (Galatians 2:9).
Individuals are often perceived as pillars within their communities. Elevating people to a pedestal of high esteem can sometimes pave the way to disappointment. The Holy Scripture refers to Peter, James, and John as individuals “who seemed to be pillars.” This perception is a reflection of human fallibility, evident when Paul had to confront Peter over his discrimination towards Gentile Christians in Antioch (Galatians 2:11). Sin against brethren, as demonstrated by Peter, carries repercussions that cannot be overlooked. In order to comprehend the gravity of sinning against the brethren, it is vital to Identify the sin, understand the ramifications of the sin, resolve the sin.
Identifying the Sin
Paul mentioned the sin against the brethren in 1 Corinthians 8:12. Analyzing the circumstances in Corinth helps in understanding the deep-seated division arising from personal judgments and different backgrounds of the Christians there. This division threatened the unity that was supposed to define the community in Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10).
To address the issue, Paul emphasized the importance of understanding the unifying power of Christ and the detrimental effects of disregarding the conscience of fellow brethren. He accentuated that sinning against a brother is, in essence, sinning against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:12). It's imperative to comprehend the sin of division as the root of sin against the brethren.
The Ramifications of the Sin
Division distorts the testimony of Jesus, diluting the powerful witness to the world about Jesus being the Son of God, as affirmed in John 17:20-21.
On an individual level, division fosters isolation and self-idolatry, leading one to disregard the communal bond in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:1-14). Recognizing this facet of sin is essential to avert the damage it inflicts on both personal and communal levels.
Resolving the Sin
Jesus underscored the urgency of reconciliation with an offended brother, emphasizing it to be a prerequisite for true worship (Matthew 5:23-24). The process demands swift action to prevent lingering wounds and enduring damage. In like manner Jesus taught the same but from the perspective of the brother offended. In the case of the offended brother time is no less of the essence and the instructions no less clear (Matthew 18:15-20)
In scenarios where one is offended, it's necessary to facilitate reconciliation by clearly expressing the grievance and fostering an environment of forgiveness, grounded in repentance (Luke 17:3). Misconceptions abound regarding forgiveness and its relation to repentance. In order to cultivate a healthy Christian community, it is pivotal to understand that forgiveness is contingent upon repentance, as evidenced in scriptures like Luke 17:3 and Ephesians 4:32. Such understanding guides individuals in the path of true reconciliation, in adherence to God's commandments.
Conclusion
The sin against a brother, which causes division, is a severe transgression that hinders the unity in Christ. It is paramount to heed the scriptural guidance to foster reconciliation and mend the tears in the fabric of the Christian community. The journey to recovery begins with acknowledging the error and seeking forgiveness, grounded in repentance, thus upholding the sanctity of the body of Christ. It is the Biblical pathway to healing, ensuring the body of Christ remains united, strong, and reflective of the teachings of Jesus Christ.