Looking for the Fix or for the Fight?

So, when do you bring the hammer and when do let things slide?

I think my kids when they were 2-years old and now as young adults. When they run down the driveway full speed toward the street, at one time I would punish them severely for that. Now, sometimes I might even encourage it. Or, when they're 2 it's okay for them to "invite Jesus into their heart." Now, they need to know it's the Holy Spirit that indwells them.

When do you correct things? How hard should they be hit (Not literally, of course)? Or, just let it slide?

In 1 Corinthians 5 Paul addresses the discipline of immoral Christians. He says, in effect, hit them hard with your hammer. But, in terms of immoral people who are outside the church, if you hit them at all, go easy.

There were issues that the 1st century church dealt with that Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus about. These were created by either current Jews or Jewish converts to Christianity who were bringing myths and genologies into the doctine and teachings of the church.

They were leaders. And, the doctrine was directly related to salvation. There may have been more to this, but we know that this was specifically addressed.

So, elders, you who have one wife and faithful, obedient children. You must humbly, without looking for a fight, with great self-control and sensibility correct people who are leading others in a direction that cause them to misunderstand their salvation.

Have you ever tried to correct somebody who was looking for a fight and keep it civil and peaceful? Not easy! This is where an elder really earns his pay. Unfortunately, too many elders are the ones looking for the fight. But, the elder's job is to keep the peace. And, if the one being corrected is too divisive it's time for him to go.

We're called to lead sheep. Sheep aren't the brightest bulbs in the pasture. They don't think for themselves and are very needy. If you turn one sheep away, no doubt, he will soon be devoured.

Elders are called to collect people, people of diverse background and maturity level, oversee their spiritual development, keep them unified and peaceful, and lead them to Jesus who can fix what's broken in their lives. The priority is the fix not the fight.

Sometimes we have to fight, but only when the fix is at stake for the rest.

We have talked a lot about the relational work that's done in the context of the church. Our priority is always the relationships. The teaching always supports the relationships. If it's not, then the teaching needs to change.

If the work is being done early when people are first coming to the church, the relationships are being strengthened and the doctrine is true then there will be less and less call for the hammer. And, that's our goal. If we can maintain a healthy bond among leaders, up and comers, members and guests; then the need to hammer someone will rarely, if ever occur.

Timing is important. Hopefully, issues that have the potential to divide the entire congregation can be dealt with very early on. Then, if the one who would eventually split the church needs to move on then the loss is only this one or just a few like-minded. Elders must be active, not passive, and take the initiative to address things when they're still just sparks or small fires before they become raging forest fires.

Still, the million-dollar question is when. That's where the elders' walk with God is so important. God will let us know when the time is right and what weight of discipline to bring. Though we'll never be perfect, we can be right most of the time.

Pursue the fix not the fight.