1 Timothy 5:19-22
19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
In verse 22 Paul commands us to "not take part in the sins of others". This is a simple concept, but it is surprising sometimes how easily we are affected by others. It is hard to keep oneself pure when those around you are not being pure. We tend to want to be accepted, to not be viewed as "a judgmental prude". We are especially uncomfortable with the idea of rebuking the sins of others (verse 20). So we relax our boundaries in order to "fit in". This is why we need to remember who we really are, children of the living God who look to another home. That way we can resist the pull of the world.
Lord, help me to follow You, not others.
19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure.
In verse 22 Paul commands us to "not take part in the sins of others". This is a simple concept, but it is surprising sometimes how easily we are affected by others. It is hard to keep oneself pure when those around you are not being pure. We tend to want to be accepted, to not be viewed as "a judgmental prude". We are especially uncomfortable with the idea of rebuking the sins of others (verse 20). So we relax our boundaries in order to "fit in". This is why we need to remember who we really are, children of the living God who look to another home. That way we can resist the pull of the world.
Lord, help me to follow You, not others.