DELINQUENCY

I Was Just Thinking About – DELINQUENCY.

Delinquency is defined as: “Failure or neglect of duty or obligation; Wrongful, illegal, or anti-social behavior; any misdeed, offense or misdemeanor.” The word origin is from 1630-1640 where the meaning was fault or to do wrong. In modern times, there is evidence of delinquency in credit obligations; mortgages (resulting in  foreclosures); military desertion (AWOL); juvenile misbehaviors; marital infidelity, etc.

Of far greater concern is Spiritual Delinquency. Many individuals affirm membership vows that are not kept. Some are given leadership positions of oversight and service and the ensuing negligence and avoidance of duty. Average Church attenders and members participate in rituals of the Church and do not implement them in practice. Jesus Christ has directed that all of His followers should represent true light in the world. Why? If we are to lead others out of the darkness of sin, they must see the light of Jesus Christ in one’s life. Do they see that light in you?

There are too many missed opportunities to do that which Jesus Christ has directed His Followers to both be and do. This is where spiritual delinquency becomes apparent. Jesus has given sufficient example and instruction on the need for forgiveness to be the practice of His followers. In His own hour or greatest opposition, He gasped out the words: “Father forgive them…” In Worship Services in our churches there is a place designated for the recitation of The Lord’s Prayer. How many of those who dutifully recite that prayer actually obey and implement the prayer in their lives?

WHAT IF in the area of forgiveness we truly meant the words: “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” or “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”? It is provable that this petition is recited but not fully practiced. In the Gospel of Matthew, on two occasions Jesus instructs His followers about what they should/must do in terms of dealing with forgiveness – not sometime in the future but immediately in the present. Matthew 5:23-25 (NLT), “If you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly.” What is it that we don’t understand about this basic and clear word from Jesus Christ? Why is it almost never practiced or obeyed?

Additional instruction by Jesus Christ is given in Matthew 18:15-17 (NLT), “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.  But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses.  If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.” How many professing Christians actually do this? How important is reconciliation within the body of believers?

There are Church situations where men establish their requirements before they will forgive or restore another. It is tantamount to a “rule or ruin” approach. It also avoids a very simple directive in Romans 15:7, “Accept one another just as Christ accepted you for the glory of God.” Once again, this is infrequently being done. Regardless of what one may think or demand, there are any number of people who crave forgiveness by those who claim to be Christ’s followers. They long for reconciliation and restoration. Those who refuse to forgive and restore should be ashamed before the Lord and seek His forgiveness of them (First John 1:9) so they will be inclined to forgive others. Some die without ever experiencing this forgiveness and restoration by so-called fellow-believers. Shame on you who are delinquent and who refuse the words for Jesus to forgive others and to be reconciled with them.

Prayerfully – consider these things with me.