ACCUSER OF THE BRETHREN

Sermon of TBOLF By Br. R. L. Ravichandra

Text - Heb 4:12-16

Many of us have gone through bitter experiences of being accused some time or other.

What is an accusation? It is to prove that a person is guilty of an offense or sin and trv to tell him that he deserves correction or oenaltv or punishment with a negative approach.

There are two (2) types of accusation.

1. Wrong accusations — We could observe things and come to a wrong conclusion. ( ‘If you drink a glass of milk sitting under a palmyrah tree, people could accuse you of drinking toddy)

It is better for anyone not to arrive at any conclusion before a proper investigation. If possible try to communicate to the party concerned and try to find out the reason for the behaviour. Some times when we find the true reason we might sympathize with them.

2. Correct accusations — Sometimes our observations and the investigations might lead us to come to a correct conclusion and we might say the opposite party is at wrong. In a situation like that - what is our action or response?

Are we in hurry to tell that person that he is wrong? Is it the correct thing to do? If someone does it to us how do we feel, though we may be wrong? Very rarely a

Christian commits sin deliberately. Someone said "many are wrong but few are caught" What does the Bible say?

(Please read -Matt 7:1-5)

According to the above scriptures are we not supposed to tell that he is wrong? Of course you must tell, but not to accuse. Our motive is to make that brother to understand that he is wrong and to cause him to repent and confess his sins to the Lord and continue in the godly life.

(Please read - James 5:19-20)

The accusation is not a Christian virtue. It is of the Devil. Those who look around to find fault in others and to accuse those are having a serious spiritual problem. This attitude shows that they are wrong in themselves and they want a cruel satisfaction to find faults in others. This is a cancer in the church causing severe destruction of the Kingdom of God. How many people hate to come to church because of this nasty attitude found among Christians. How many have already left the fellowship? The easiest job in the world is finding fault? Are we of Devil?

Rev 12:9-10 The great dragon was hurled down-- that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Our duty as a Christian brethren.

Jesus hates sin but loves the sinners. He came to the world to destroy the sin not the sinners. (There are people of other faith say that the God has incarnated to destroy the evildoers.)

If that is what we see in Jesus our Lord, how can we point our fingers towards our brethren in accusation. If there is sin in a brother let us follow the Biblical pattern to restore him to the Lord.

(a) If the brother is very well known to you please approach him in person and try to tell him of his sin in love with evidences. Tell him that all of us have the problem of sinful nature or flesh and could sin. Listen to him in case he has something to say

about it. There can be genuine reasons behind that sin. Still let us persuade that sin is always a sin, and lovingly lead him to repentance and confessing of his sins to receive God’s forgiveness. There is no sin so difficult for God to forgive IJn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

(b) If the brother is not very well known to you, it is better to develop friendship with him for sometime and win his confidence. It might take sometime but that does not matter. (Even our God is very patient.) Then you can tell of his sin and lead him back to the Lord.

  1. If that brother is not accessible by you then tell it to the Pastor or a leader or a matured believer who is closer to that brother, to handle the matter. Not in a way of gossip to spread the news. We must be careful that the person to whom you tell should be of a good Christian character, and should not be a gossip?. Gossip is a talk - spoken ill of a third person who is not present, with an intention of degrading. (not appreciation). It is a great sin trying to expose the sin of the fellow brother.

Someone said Christians do not gossip but they only share prayer points about others. We must be careful about those who gossip. Sometimes you may not gossip but interested in listening. That is also a part of the gossip. If someone comes and tells badly about others to you. you can be assured that same person will go and tell bad about you to the others. So let us be careful about those who bring news about others? Especially the counsellors in the church are entrusted with the responsibility of keeping matters confidently. But if they gossip then it is a shame on that ministry.

(d) Sometimes we are embarrassed to tell the sin of others. If the sin is not revealed and there will be no repentance, and that brother will continue to live in sin and you will be responsible to his blood ( Please read the following scripture -Ezek 3:20-21, I Jn 4:18,2 Tim 1:7, 1 Cor 13:6

We are not supposed to tolerate sin. If we really love that brother we must tell him

of his sin. If we are afraid let us pray and ask the Lord to give us boldness, to tell sin a sin.

(e) Sometimes when we approach the brother he might retaliate and even fight back. We have to be very patient and not to react. It is better to allow him to talk as much as possible to expose and drain everything from his heart. If he does not show the sign of repentance and still arrogant in his ways, tell him that you would pray for him. Approach him again, if there is still resistance then we have to follow the biblical pattern of discipline as in Matt 18:15-17

Deliberate sin in spite of rebuking is very serious. Sin in the camp of Israel brought defeat at Al. The Lord told Joshua to get rid of sin. And Achan and al his family with his belongings had to be stoned to death and burned (Joshua chapter 7)

The same way any rebellious and deliberate sin has to be handled by the church.

The patience and longsuffering of the church leaders are not to be taken for granted that the church overlooks sin. God is patient and love but he is also a consuming fire. Heb 12:29

What is your response if you are accused?

When one of us is found sinning and approached and advised by some fellow believer, please accept him as the messenger of God. Do not treat him as an accuser. Do not retaliate. He has come to restore your relationship with God. Don’t feel embarrassed. ft is better to be embarrassed here than to be embarrassed in front of God on the day of judgement.

Every one of us has problem with our flesh and sinful nature. Many times we are tempted and sin. A quick realization and repentance by confessing our sins will help us to reconcile with God. Will we be happy with sin in us? Definitely noti When there is sin never feel dejected. cry to God. Tell him your problem. Sometimes people cannot understand the situation and the circumstance of yours, but God can.

Many of us when we go through such tempting situations we cry "Who can understand me?" Our Lord Jesus can understand us, because he went through the similar situations you are in and could help you when you approach him for deliverance. (read - Heb 4:15-16). Amen.
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