DAD'S RAMBINGS -- EQUITABLE JUSTICE

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – EQUITABLE JUSTICE

"Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear. I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality." (I Timothy 5:19-21)

If I have heard it once, I have heard it a hundred times in the past few years. It is that "no one is above the law." There are those who attain a position of influence and power, and they think that the rules do not apply to them. It happens in the secular world and it happens in the church.

Position sometimes deludes people into believing that they can violate the rules with impunity. They think that they are above being charged with misconduct. But everyone needs to be accountable, regardless of their position. There should be no prejudice nor partiality in the observance of standards of conduct demanded of those in places of leadership.

But Paul recognizes the other side of the coin. People in places of power and leadership are also prime targets for false accusations of misconduct. It only takes one person to destroy the reputation of a godly leader. It is absolutely imperative to not entertain an accusation unless it is from multiple witnesses.

It is very difficult to defend oneself against false or anonymous accusations. Even if the accusation is unjust, the reputation of the person who is accused is impugned. And once a reputation is smeared, it is impossible to fully restore it.

It is a two-sided coin. The person who is guilty of violating God's law needs to be held accountable. But we need to be careful to not just accept any accusation at face value as true without solid proof.

The church – Christ's body – is too valuable to let sin be tolerated, no matter what the position of the sinner is. But it is also too valuable to allow it to be tainted by unfounded accusations that ruin the reputation of the assembly.

Whatever the case, equitable justice needs to be the goal without prejudice or partiality.

Love, Dad