on 5 July 2022
Dear all at IPC,
One of the things we’ve seen over the past couple of years in evangelicalism has been leaders who have fallen into sin or been exposed. What has been hidden for years has come out into the open. There has been enormous cost with many lives now bearing scars, even those who weren’t directly affected are now hugely discouraged and disheartened. There have been scandals that have brought shame to the church of Jesus Christ and harm to her people. Shepherds, instead of caring for the sheep, have fleeced and hurt them.
I’ve been recently doing some work in 1 Timothy 5 and there is a verse hidden away there that I’ve found very helpful. Paul is addressing Timothy very seriously regarding church leaders. He has talked about occasions when people make accusations against elders. Then not to be hasty in laying on of hands (ordaining and appointing elders) and then he says in chapter 5:24 “The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later.”
Paul is saying the sins of some people are clearly visible and obvious, you can spot their sin a mile off. But there are others where it isn’t so clear and not so obvious what the sin of others is. However, this verse does assure us that in the end, character outs. There are some sins that take a while to surface but sin will eventually come to light, though it might not be in this life. Tragically there have been instances where the truth has become known after someone has died, but Jesus will bring it all into the open on the day of judgement. Some sins will remain hidden until that day but then they will be hidden no longer. The chilling verse of Numbers 32:23 – Be sure your sins will find you out – we must take to heart. It’s a very painful lesson to learn in the Christian life that unrepented sin catches up with us in the end. That will happen either in this life or at the judgement.
Calvin comments, ‘although some men’s sins are concealed longer than we would wish and come late to light, yet they will not stay hidden forever, they will have their time’.
As we look and pray about appointing elders and deacons there should be a healthy caution. Timothy is facing this exact issue as Paul writes to him. None of us are infallible judges of character. As we all know churches are full of the most sophisticated sinners. Often when new people are converted they look at our church and think ‘these people aren’t like me’. I assure them, every single one of us on a Sunday morning has to confess our sins and yet tragically we have often become better at hiding our sins. Obvious sins are easy to spot and we need to keep men like that from leading Christ’s church, but other sins are like the stain a slug leaves in a garden overnight: you can see the effects left behind them in the morning.
I have found that helpful in thinking this through in the light of recent scandals. We know so little of the story, we are not infallible judges of character. We can fall easily into the age old trap of valuing giftedness over character. In fact, tragically, we can overlook character flaws because someone is gifted or has a charismatic personality.
The following verse is parallel to v24, ‘So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.’ There are times when godliness is so clear, where there are strong gifts and servant hearts. Those are the kind of leaders Timothy is being instructed to put into leadership. But also Paul tells us there are good deeds that are done which are not known about, but God sees them. The principle is the same as v24, character outs. There may be someone who doesn’t immediately appear like they are a natural leader in Christ’s church but, over time, the fruit of their character proves itself. There is great encouragement here for the quiet work of humble Christians many of whom serve at IPC behind the scenes.
In thinking of how we look at appointing leaders it is wise to look for fruit that grows on the trees of people’s lives. You can have a tree that looks magnificent in springtime but bears no fruit in summer. It’s taking a long term view and not being hasty. Let us pray for discernment in ordaining elders and deacons.
Ultimately when the Lord comes ‘he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.’ 1 Corinthians 4:5
As I write this, I’m only too aware of my own sinful heart and the sin that remains for me to deal with. As I engage with the Pastoral epistles I’m constantly aware I fall short and need to repent. The painful lessons of the past couple of years in seeing leaders fall must humble us, must humble me. Every faithful elder cries out with Paul ‘who is sufficient for these things?’ But it is Christ’s church, and he exercises his rule by his Word, and so when it comes to appointing elders and deacons, we do well to follow his wisdom.
Your Minister and friend,
Paul