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Problem Solving and the Church

  It seems to me that solving actual problems in practical ways is an area in which the Church has been extremely impotent in the last few decades.  Perhaps this has been a problem for many centuries.  After all, the basic issues at the root of the problem come from universal principles of man's sinful nature--problems that span all cultures and ages.

    I think one of the main problems in our day is the fact that people (elders and laymen alike) are more interested in avoiding embarrassment than they are in purging sin from their congregation.  Church discipline has been utilized to purge people instead of purging sin.

    I think this has led to people becoming extremely afraid and embarrassed to present a sin problem to their church leaders or fellow church members.  People who struggle with sin that they would sincerely like to overcome are too afraid to admit that sin because they think they will be shunned and ostracized.  Unfortunately, precedent solidifies their fears.  They simply have never seen a church embrace and assist a repentant sinner.  In this way, the Church has failed immensely.

    One of God's main desires for the Church is that we collectively overcome sin and reflect the character of Jesus Christ.  How do we get to that place?  How do we overcome this deficiency?  How do we put feet to this concept?  We need each other in this endeavor.  We need to be warm and welcoming to anyone who struggles with sin.  We need honesty.  We need honest forgiveness.  We need earnest prayer for each other.  We need to remember that we all have problems.  You sin.  I sin.  Only together, as we focus on Jesus Christ and as we are filled with His Spirit, can we overcome the power and sin and manifest the righteousness of Christ to a hurting, darkened, enslaved world.
  
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