INTRODUCTION
The book of Hosea is put together with the other minor prophets in the Bible and was written sometime between 750 and 725 B.C before Israel’s captivity by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. Hosea was the son of Beeri (Hosea 1:1) and God spoke to him in the days of Jeroboam, son of Joash, king of Israel (Hosea 1:1). God told Hosea to marry a wife who was a harlot (Hosea 1:2). He obeyed and married Gomer. Subsequently, Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea and persisted in her ways. However, Hosea redeemed her and took her back because he loved Gomer.
God used marriage between Hosea and Gomer as an illustration of how Israel persisted in “spiritual whoredom” and rejected God. Despite this, God provided a way out for Israel and continued to demonstrate His great love for the nation. There were repeated calls for Israel to repent and turn back but sadly, these calls went unanswered.
We will examine the following questions in this two-part series:
What are ways we could use to reach out to erring brethren who were once faithful but had fallen away?
Is it ever acceptable to compromise the truth as we try to bring back the erring or to “give in a little” as we plead for their return?
WAYS TO REACH OUT TO FALLEN BRETHREN
The task of restoring and reaching out to fallen brethren is not easy. Very often, it is challenging and possibly even more challenging than bringing someone to Christ. Several obstacles stand in the way.
A preacher Robert Sholl wrote that “the love of God can redeem man no matter how sinful he is”. He added that although Israel was very sinful, there was and is no sin that God cannot forgive as long as one was willing to repent. Indeed, God is full of grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5). The blood shed by Jesus at the cross was way superior than that of bulls and rams. It can take away sin. God’s hand is also not shortened that it cannot save (Isaiah 59:1). Although Israel was in spiritual whoredom, God sent Hosea to plead with them to turn back, else they would be destroyed. One way we can reach out to fallen brethren is to tell them and assure them that God will forgive them as long as they repent of their sins and return to God. Some of them are so guilt stricken that they are too ashamed to face God or think that God will not forgive them. The urging needs to be done for fallen brethren to confess their sins and God has reassured us that He will forgive (1 John 1:9).
As stated by another preacher Wayne Jones, it is necessary to impress upon the fallen that physical blessings do not always mean divine favour. Someone who fell away said that he was in a better off position than when he was worshipping God. Now that he was ‘out of the church’, he felt happier and more relaxed as there was no need to stress himself over coming for worship or mid-week Bible classes. In addition, everything seemed to be going on smoothly for him, including job prospects. Hosea chapter 9 gives “a warning to Israel that they should not take too much pride in their wealth or the abundance of their harvest”. The fallen need to understand that being better off does not mean that God is blessing him or that he is approved of God. It is sad when people choose the material riches and comforts of this world over God.
Another way to reach out to fallen brethren is to be sincere and not judgmental when communicating with them. The restorer needs to listen intently to the fallen so as to understand their reasons and actions. It would be detrimental if the restorer comes across as one who just wants to ‘preach’ or deliver what he needs to say and walk off. Just attitudes or actions will not draw the fallen back to Christ. A writer Yeakley noted that “dialogue requires that those involved be humble enough to admit that they do not know everything and that they might be able to learn from what their partners in dialogue have to share with them”. The restorer needs to be humble to listen to what the fallen has to say. Being humble will also mean that no judgment is being passed. It will be difficult for a meaningful conversation to take place if one party has a preconceived idea of the other party.
Christians are involved in benevolent work all the time. One way to reach out to those fallen is to be there to help them in their needs in whatever way we can. Some may experience financial hardship and others may just be at a particular low moment in life. The restorer can find ways to help the fallen and suggest suitable resources or strategies during such circumstances. Doing benevolent works for others helps soften their hearts and hopefully they will be more receptive to God’s word. Helping to run errands can be a way of reaching out to fallen brethren. The idea is to seize whatever possible opportunities to do some benevolent work for the fallen. Tending to the needs of the fallen also means that we are looking on the things of others instead of just focusing on ourselves (Philippians 2:4). Luke also recorded Jesus saying that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
Writing encouragement cards to fallen brethren is one of the good places to start. It demonstrates sincerity in reaching out to the lost and is less intimidating for those in need of restoration. Heart-felt words can be used which hopefully will touch their hearts. Even if the fallen do not respond, the regular sending of the cards to stay in touch will help. This must of course not be done to the extent of spamming the fallen with cards every other week but is done in a measured and controlled manner.
Care needs to be exercised when speaking with brethren who have fallen. The choice of words used must be carefully considered. This does not mean that one is being hypocritical but we need to be mindful that our words do not hurt fallen brethren. Some of them may have been hurt by the actions or words of brethren before and there is a need not to repeat the same mistakes and make restoration impossible. However, the truth must not be compromised at all times.
There may be times when fallen brethren have actually returned back to worship services for a Sunday or two and then leave again, never to return. Their experience at those one or two sessions may have been unpleasant. We need to understand that it takes a very bold step and it is not easy for one who has fallen away to step into the church building. He or she will be concerned about what brethren may say or think about him or her. Efforts should be made to reassure the fallen brethren. One way of providing support is to sit with the fallen brethren for the first few weeks that they are back. This helps to encourage them and reassures them that they are not ‘alone’ to face the rest of the church members. The apostle Paul admonished the Corinthian church in his first letter with regards to them tolerating a brother who was involved in fornication. He wrote that there was a need for disfellowship to be extended to that erring brother. They subsequently listened to Paul’s admonishment. In his second letter to the Corinthian church, Paul wrote that the punishment was sufficient for the fornicating brother who repented and now returned to the Lord’s fold (2 Corinthians 2:6). The brethren needed to forgive and comfort him so that he would not be overcome by his own sin and grief (2 Corinthians 2:7). Paul also urged them to confirm their love towards the penitent brother (2 Corinthians 2:8). Indeed, it is so important for us to be mindful of our actions and words towards fallen brethren who have repented. They have taken the first step and returned and so we have to forgive them and reassure them of our love towards them. We do not want to be the ones who display ‘un-Christian like’ behavior and drive them away. Such is not commanded in scripture.
We will consider the second question in next week’s issue. Stay tuned.
References
Sholl, Robert, “Hosea 1-3” in Studies In The Minor Prophets. 2014.
Jones, Wayne, “Hosea 9-11” in Studies In The Minor Prophets. 2014.
Yeakley, Flavil, R. Jr., Why They Left. 2012.