One interesting aspect about pastoring is the necessity of jail visits. Whether they be congregants or more broadly-based “jail ministry” visits, pastors often find themselves visiting people in jail. One would think that the reality of being imprisoned for your actions would make a person ready for the hope of the Gospel.

Yet over the years, I’ve found an interesting phenomenon. As I began to notice it, it became more apparent. Many people do not associate their actions with the consequences received. This has often been the case with jail visits, even some who have admitted their actions claim they don’t belong in jail. Yet this idea is not limited to our judicial system, one merely needs to attend nearly any broadly evangelical church in America to find people who think this way.

We see this manifest in many areas of life. We’re told that discipline must not be extreme but that it must build up self-esteem. We’re told that spanking is barbaric and old-fashioned. Children play video games in which they are trained to try and escape consequences. Television projects an aura of invincibility. Christians no longer hold one another accountable for their sin because we don’t want to be perceived as judgmental and pastors no longer preach about sin or its consequences, instead opting for an approach which would have us believe God simply wants us to have our “best life now.”

Once we begin to see the practical consequences removed from discipline and daily life, it’s no wonder that we no longer want to hear about sin. When everything around me is telling me that it’s all about me, and that I’m the final judge even of right and wrong, who are you to place your views on me? Even when I do something society might agree is wrong, I shouldn’t be punished. Maybe a slight slap on the wrist, but nothing lasting please.

The result in the lives of many professing Christians is that they live exactly like the world except they might attend a gathering once a week. In reality, these gatherings often resemble country clubs more than they do the Bride of Christ. In opposition to this growing mentality, Scripture is quite clear about the fact that, not only do our actions have consequences, but that discipline is a necessary part of life (Deuteronomy 8:5, 11:2; Psalm 94:12; Proverbs 3:11, 5:23, 6:23). Proverbs 12:1 goes so far as to say:

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates reproof is stupid.

We’re once again reminded, not only of the necessity of consequences and discipline, but also of the primary role of the home. Proverbs 13:24 says:

Whoever spares the rod hates his son,
but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

These aspects apply not only to the home, but also to the church. As the Body of Christ, we are to be so united that “there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together (1 Corinthians 12:25-27). This also means that we are to love one another enough to hold each other accountable. Jesus Himself gives clear instructions, saying in Matthew 18:15-20 that:

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

We must notice several things. First, we must be able to recognize sin as such. Second, we must love boldly enough to confront our brother/sister when sin has been committed. This flies in the face of our understanding of a love that bears no consequences but Scripture is clear that this is no love. It is not loving to let others continue in sin. In fact, we are doing damage to their lives, possibly even to their souls.

So much of the Christian life is about balance and this is no exception. Yes, many have been judgmental and unloving. However, that does not mean we are free from these requirements. We must “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) and we must understand that love always brings consequences on sin. If there are no consequences for sin, then we are without hope and Christ accomplished nothing on the Cross.

Churches, pastors and Christians must be bold in confronting sin in love. Not to judge, that is not our place, but because if there are no consequences, there is no love.

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