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NASB | James 2:8 ¶ If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF," you are doing well. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | James 2:8 ¶ If, however, you are [really] fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, if you have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit]" you are doing well. [Lev 19:18] |
Subject: Church is kidnapped to Sodom! |
Bible Note: Greetings Melanie! This is a great topic because of it's importance to the church body. We become a part of the Body of Christ through grace by faith alone. However, simply because we are a part of the Body of Christ does not automatically mean that we must or can be leaders within it. Everyone knows that even leaders fail. The issue is when does failure rise to such a high level as to disqualify someone from leadership. My response would be twofold: 1) When sin is a continous pattern. 2) When sin is scandalous. What do I mean by this? A leader may fail, but when he or she exhibits a continous pattern of failure, even in little things, then that person should not be in leadership. Anyone may lose his temper in the heat of the moment, but someone who is always losing his temper should not be a leader. We know that God views sin as sin, but man categorizes sin. Murder is a more serious offence in our eyes than speaking a harsh word to someone. In that sense, I would say that anyone who committs scandalous sin should be removed from leadership. This does not mean that the person is no longer a Christian. It simply means that they have forfitted the right to lead others. Consider this possible example in light of what has been happening in the Catholic Church. Suppose that as a board member, it came to my attention that one of our Sunday School teachers had just confessed to child molestation. That teacher had repented and gotten right with God. Should I leave it there and continue to allow that teacher to teach children or should I take action to remove that person from leadership? My point is simply that even repentance does not undo the damage done to a person's reputation or the weakness that sin reveal's in a person's character. Leadership is a responsibility, not a right. Thus, the rules in 1 Timothy and Titus about who can be a leader are put in Scripture to help us identity those who are able to and should serve in this capacity. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |