Intervention!

"You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother." 

Deuteronomy 22:1-2 

 

Our natural tendency is to avoid involving ourselves in other people's business.  Just like the story of the Good Samaritan, when we see trouble our instincts tell us to pass on the other side.  The Priest and Levite would have known Deuteronomy 22:4 which read, "You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again."  While they obeyed the letter of the Law, they ignored the implications of the Law.  A man is certainly of more value than a donkey or ox!

 

There is this perception in many Christians that the role of correction or confrontation of sin falls only to the pastor.  This is not true!  As children of God, we all have the freedom and responsibility to seek to restore one who has fallen into sin with meekness.  I once had a situation in ministry when an adult called me on the phone after service and reported that two students of high school age were kissing on the playground.  I perceived from her tone she believed their conduct was inappropriate.  I asked, "Did you talk to them directly?"  She had not.  As a mature believer, the right thing to do would be to approach those who err personally, immediately, and privately as Jesus directed (Matt. 18:15).  This is a very common response in people today because confrontation makes us uncomfortable.  We have been conditioned by this world that we have no right to interfere with someone else's life.

God has made it plain that it is our right and duty to intervene in love when we see someone heading to their own destruction.  If we are to regard the life of our brother's ox or sheep, should we not also regard the life of our brother's teenage son?  It is easy to turn a blind eye to actual sin and justify our inaction by thinking, "Not my son, not my problem."  I'm so glad Jesus did not look at sinful man this way!  He could have remained in heavenly glory and said, "Gentiles?  Not my people, not my problem."  But He humbled Himself as a man, became a suffering servant, and gave His life for the sins of the whole world!  As children of God He has given us authority to seek and save the lost.  We are not called to "come down" on others, but seek to lift them up and exhort them with words of grace and love.

Your duty to lead and instruct young people or encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ does not end when you leave a church building.  That same power of love, grace, gentleness, and meekness rests upon you in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Galatians 6:1 reads, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."  Our job is not to become the spiritual police of our churches, making sure no kids run in the sanctuary, that skirts extend beyond the knee, and absolutely forbidding all public displays of affection.  But as led by the Holy Spirit with a heart of love to restore, we ought to take action when overt sin comes to our attention.  Don't hide yourself when God commands to intervene!