Biblically Defining Sinful Abuse

ABUSE, ABANDONMENT, & DIVORCE is an ever-timely resource by Steve Swartz that calls for biblical compassion and shepherding care in scores of marriages. In the foreword, John Street writes, "Abundantly clear in Scripture are biblical directives for pastors, elders, their delegates who are competent biblical counselors, and indeed every church leader. These ministers have the most serious charge of stewardship of any profession or ministry: to watch over and compassionately care for the flock of God entrusted to their care! 'Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood" (Acts 20:28; cf. 1 Pet 5:1-3). They are to superintend a precious treasure, a treasure purchased at infinite cost by Christ's blood. Those who fail this high calling are no longer ungdershepherds; they have become devouring wolves, a danger to the sheep, and the Chief Shepherd is fiercely angered for their failure to provide help, compassion, protection, and good counsel (Jer 23:3; Zech 10:3; Acts 20:29-30). If you find yourself as one of these church leaders, then first and foremost your responsibility is the guardianship of faithful biblical doctrine in your personal life as well as in your public and private teaching (Acts 20:20, 24, 27-28; 1 Tim 4:16). You must practice the truth yourself, set the example, and passionately proclaim the gospel with sound doctrine to others whom God has sovereignly placed under your influence. Secondly, you must guard, care, protect, and nourish God's sheep with the greatest love and compassion. The apostle Paul in his final words to the Ephesian elders admonished them, 'In everything I showed you that by laboring in this manner you must HELP THE WEEK and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive' (Acts 20:35). Paul's final words to the elders, written centuries earlier, are powerfully instructive to all those who care for His beleaguered lambs." And helping the weak and oppressed is what James addressed in our currently study at GBC, not too long ago (Jas 1:27). Pure and undefiled religion consists of helping the sick, destitute, and anyone threatened by powerful circumstances that otherwise overwhelm them! The psalmist cries out to "Give justice to the poor and the orphan; justify the afflicted and destitute. Protect the poor and needy; deliver them out of the hand of the wicked" (Ps 82:3-4; cf. Jn 14:18; cf. Jas 1:27). In our attempt to do just that, our midweek Bible study will be "Biblically Defining Sinful Abuse," looking through the lens of the reviler.