When you're with the sick

The door on the hospital room had a large red stop sign attached. On it was a note: "See nurse before entering." They gave me a mask to wear and cautioned me not to touch the patient or his bed. The virus that had infected his body was highly contagious and the only way to stop its spread was to avoid contact. I talked with Joe (not his real name) from a distance of about 4 feet and, as is my custom, as we concluded our visit, I asked to pray. Out of habit, I reached out my hand toward him, as I almost always touch the person for whom I am praying, especially those who are ill. He stopped me! "No, Pastor, don't take what I have with you," he said. We have a healthy respect for germs, but do we have the same respect for sin?

Jude gives this warning. It is to be taken seriously. "Show mercy to those whose faith is wavering. Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. There are still others to whom you need to show mercy, but be careful that you aren't contaminated by their sins." (Jude 22-23, NLT) Because we live in a sinful world, we will rub shoulders with people who are struggling with habits that are sinful and destructive. Even in our churches and Christian communities, there will those who are wrestling with doubt, disbelief, or controlling habits.

So, how do we deal with this challenge?

Some suggest complete separation! They adopt an 'us versus them' mentality, excluding those who are 'not us' and building high walls! This strategy flies in the face of the example of our Savior, Jesus, who lived among and loved those who were 'sinners.' In fact, He was condemned by the separatists of His time as a "glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of the worst sort of sinners!" (Luke 7:34, NLT) It was true. And, He brought wholeness to those with whom He ate and drank.

Some suggest that we just keep our 'religion' to ourselves. We live among those who are spiritually sick, but even though the Gospel is their only hope, we are urged to keep it to ourselves. These so-called 'secret saints' live and die having no effect for the Kingdom, hiding their light out of a mistaken respect for privacy.

Jude teaches us first to 'show mercy.' Instead just pointing out the sin of another, we extend understanding. We try to meet them where they are. Yes, our primary message can never be, "You're headed for Hell!" It must always be, "There is a Father who loves you, Who wants you to come home."

Some, Jude says, need to be 'snatched from the flames.' They are so near to the edge, we must launch a rescue. The Church has dozens of ministries that reaches out to those who need rescue, those who lives are in such ruin, they must be dragged back from the edge of Hell itself. Ministries to the addicted, those with life-controlling habits, to the self-absorbed are critically important and require a high level of training and a strong network of people to keep the rescuers safe.

And some, we learn from this first century pastor,need to be shown the mercy of Christ, even as we maintain a distance from their sinfulness! Like my friend, Joe, theirs is a contagion that we can catch. A bitter Christian, for example, needs to be shown mercy, but if you spend too much time listening to him, you may get dragged down. A rebellious Christian, one whose life is full of disorder because he refuses to submit to spiritual leadership, needs to experience loving mercy, but carefully. The phrase that has become a cliché has real truth in it: We truly must love the sinner, but hate the sin.   This demands wisdom and humility that God gives to us as we ask Him for it. The key in all of this is to remain part of a healthy network of Christians. Those in our society who function as 'first responders,' going to accident scenes, fighting fires, living near disaster, do so only in teams! They know the dangers, both physical and emotional, of living too near to danger without having people who give support, who hold the life-lines, who help to share the burden. This is how we who want to be God's people in a sick world must live.

Here's a word from the Word. Make them words to live by.

"Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:19-25, NIV) 

__________

Near The Cross

Jesus, keep me near the cross

There a precious fountain,

Free to all a healing stream,

Flows from Calv'ry's mountain.

Near the cross a trembling soul,

Love and mercy found me.

There the Bright and Morning Star

Sheds its beams around me.

In the cross, in the cross,

Be my glory ever.

'Till my raptured soul shall find

Rest beyond the river.

Fanny Jane Crosby | William Howard Doane

Public Domain