How should we decide whether to trust someone? How should we decide whether someone should be given special responsibilities? What does it mean to forgive someone who sins? If someone sins, repents, and is forgiven, must they immediately be restored to positions of trust? If we decide they should step down from special responsibilities to take time to rebuild their reputation and people's trust in them, does that mean we have not forgiven them?
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Introduction:
Suppose a man comes to your door and says he wants to marry your daughter that afternoon. But neither you nor your daughter knows anything about him. What do you do?
The purpose of this study is to consider the need for evidence in developing trust.
In many areas of life, trust develops over time based on evidence (experience, knowledge). Yet in some areas sometimes people forget this and need to be reminded. So consider:
Trust and Evidence (in General)
Trusting people often requires evidence: a pattern of trustworthy conduct, especially regarding special relationships and responsibilities. Consider some examples:
Marriage – Trust is essential to a good marriage, but you have no reason to trust someone you do not know (like the man at the door). Trust takes time to develop.
Driving – Parents and the government want young people to practice and gain experience in driving to demonstrate over time they are trustworthy drivers.
Business – Employers, hiring someone for a responsible position, want evidence a person is trustworthy. Customers want to do business with trustworthy people: doctors, car dealers, etc.
Genesis 39:3-5,21-23 – Potiphar and later the keeper of the prison gave Joseph authority because they observed he was trustworthy.
Matthew 24:45 – A master chooses a steward who is faithful and wise to set over his household. (2 Kings 22:7)
Before selling on credit, businesses check your credit record: your reputation.
Websites require passwords and text messages before they trust you to access information.
When our daughter started public school, we criticized their policies like allowing the abortion clinic in the health class. They would say, “Don’t you trust us?” We had no reason to trust.
Family relationships and associations – We learn to trust our family members, neighbors, or other associates when they prove to be dependable over time. [Jeremiah 9:4]
1 Corinthians 2:11 – People cannot know the heart of other humans. So the only way we can know to trust someone is based on evidence: we need experience to learn if they are trustworthy.
God, Trust, and Evidence
Our Trust/Faith in God Is Based on Evidence.
Some people think we should just trust God as a leap of faith without evidence. But God knows we need evidence to trust Him as the true God rather than false gods or no god.
Acts 1:3 – The Bible provides “many infallible proofs.”
Romans 10:17 – So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Ephesians 1:13 – You trusted in Him after you heard the word of truth, the gospel.
Acts 17:2,3 – Paul customarily reasoned from the Scriptures explaining and demonstrating that Jesus is the Christ. (Acts 9:22)
Luke 1:1-4 – Luke researched evidence and wrote an orderly account so we may know the certainty of those things we were taught.
John 20:30,31 – Bible writers recorded evidence sufficient to convince us to believe that Jesus is the Christ, so we can have life in His name. (John 17:20)
1 Peter 3:15 – We should be ready to give to anyone who asks a defense for our hope.
We trust God because we have evidence that He is the true God and is worthy of our trust.
(2 Timothy 3:16,17; Deuteronomy 32:37; Psalm 37:3; 2 Samuel 22:31; 2 Corinthians 1:9,10; Psalms 9:10)
God Can Know the Character of People by Reading Hearts.
God can determine people’s character based on His supernatural knowledge.
1 Kings 8:39 – You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men.
John 2:25 – Jesus knew what was in man.
Jeremiah 1:5; Luke 1:15; Galatians 1:15,16 – Based on His supernatural knowledge, He chose Jeremiah, John the Baptist, and Paul before they were born to be prophets.
So God can know people’s hearts and appoint them to positions of responsibility. But we need observable evidence based on people’s conduct to know whether they are trustworthy.
Trust and Evidence in Spiritual Responsibilities/Relationships
In particular, we need evidence before people serve in spiritual responsibilities or leadership.
Old Testament Examples
Exodus 18:21 – Judges in Israel must be able, fearing God, men of truth, hating covetousness.
Nehemiah 7:2 – Nehemiah placed in charge of Jerusalem and as treasurers men who were known to be faithful and feared God. [13:13]
Daniel 6:3 – Daniel served as a governor and distinguished himself above others because he had an excellent spirit. He was faithful nor was any error or fault found in him.
Special positions were given to people who had a reputation for ability and trustworthiness.
Elders and Deacons
Acts 6:3 – Men appointed over church business needed good reputation, wisdom, etc.
Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7 – To be appointed as an elder, one “must” possess the characteristics listed. These include a history of teaching ability, uprightness, and good reputation.
1 Timothy 3:8-12 – Deacons also must possess the required characteristics.
1 Timothy 3:10 – These must first be tested; then let them serve as deacons.
Since we cannot read hearts, we must observe men’s character and reputation to know whether they should be appointed to responsible positions.
Teachers and Preachers
No passage lists specific characteristics for teachers as for elders. But we can summarize various passages like we do for conditions for forgiveness or conduct in our assemblies.
1 Timothy 1:7 – Some desire to be teachers without understanding what they say. Teaching positions are for those who have a degree of knowledge and maturity as a Christian.
Acts 22:12 – Ananias was a devout man, having a good testimony with all the Jews.
Acts 16:1,2 – Paul chose Timothy as a preaching companion because he was well-spoken-of by the church. He had a reputation for being trustworthy.
Hebrews 5:12-14 – Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. Observe:
* After conversion, a person needs time before he is qualified to teach. (This may vary.)
* One who is unskilled in the word and needs to be retaught first principles is not qualified.
1 Timothy 4:12 – Teachers should be an example to the believers in word, conduct, love, spirit, faith, and purity. Teachers need evidence of faithfulness in word and life. (Titus 2:7,8)
Psalm 50:16 – The wicked have no right to declare God’s statutes.
Acts 20:29,30; 1 John 4:1 – We must guard against those who teach error and lead others astray. We try the spirits. How? By evidence. We must take time to know teachers.
A stranger visited and wanted to address the church. He was upset when we wanted to get to know him first and be sure he would teach truth.
Matthew 7:15-20 – Teachers are known by their fruits. We distinguish false teachers from true teachers by bad fruit vs. good fruit (verses 17,18). We observe conduct and teaching.
Unlike God, who can read people’s hearts, we need to observe people over time to evaluate their character and knowledge. Trust is based on evidence and reputation.
(Matthew 7:3-5; Romans 2:17-24; Luke 16:10, 11; 1 Timothy 1:12; James 3:1; Proverbs 22:1; Philippians 2:15,16; 3 John 12; 1 Timothy 2:1,2)
Trust, Evidence, and Forgiveness
Christians Must Forgive Others Who Sin and Repent.
Bible teaching regarding forgiveness
Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13 – Forgive one another as God in Christ forgave us.
Matthew 6:12,14,15 – God forgives us as we forgive others.
Matthew 18:21-35 – Peter asked how often to forgive a brother. Jesus said 70 times 7.
Luke 17:4 – I should be willing to forgive a brother if he comes to me seven times in a day asking forgiveness. If someone repents and confesses asking for forgiveness, we must give it.
To forgive means to send away, to remit, to release, to pardon.
When a person is forgiven, he is longer considered to be guilty. Jesus illustrated forgiveness by the canceling of a debt (Matthew 6:12; 18:27,32). When the debt is forgiven, it no longer shows on your account. You are no longer responsible for it.
When we sin, God’s record shows us as guilty: no longer in His favor but subject to His wrath. When the sin is pardoned, the record no longer shows us as guilty. We are back in His favor.
So when people sin against us, they are guilty both in our minds and God’s record. When they are forgiven, neither we nor God continue to hold them as guilty.
Forgiveness Releases Guilt but May Not Grant Special Relationships or Responsibilities.
Sometimes when an erring disciple has repented, they or other people insist that forgiveness requires that they be immediately restored to positions of responsibility or leadership.
Consider some examples.
In each of these cases, a person committed sin but repented and confessed. What does forgiveness require? These are real-life examples (I have heard of cases like all of them):
* A man confesses committing fornication but wants to marry you or your daughter. May you consider his sin in your decision or does forgiveness require you to overlook it?
* Teenager gets speeding tickets or stays out too late on dates. He says he is sorry. Must you continue trusting him with the family car or may you restrict the use of the car till he builds trust?
* A brother tells lies, repents, and asks forgiveness. Must we immediately believe everything he says or may we require confirmation in some cases?
* A brother commits adultery with a sister in the church. He repents and asks for forgiveness. May other men restrict his contact with their wives or daughters or is that a lack of forgiveness?
* An elder commits a public sin (drunkenness, etc.). He repents and confesses. May the church require him to step down or does forgiveness require us to allow him to continue as an elder?
* A treasurer embezzles thousands of dollars from the church treasury. He repents and asks for forgiveness. Does forgiveness require the church to allow him to continue as treasurer?
* A Bible class teacher sexually molests students right in his Bible class. He repents and asks for forgiveness. Does forgiveness mean we must let him continue teaching the class?
* A brother commits adultery. He repents and asks for forgiveness. Does forgiveness mean his wife must continue the marriage, or may she still divorce him – Matthew 19:9?
* A preacher commits adultery. It becomes known, he repents and asks for forgiveness. May the church withdraw his support or does forgiveness mean the church must continue supporting him?
Consider the connection between forgiveness and trust.
If Christians require the repentant sinner to step aside from responsibilities to rebuild trust and reputation, does this prove they have not forgiven? Or are forgiveness and restoring responsibilities two different issues? Consider:
1) In any of these cases, would you agree to restrict responsibilities for a period of time to rebuild trust? If so, does that not prove forgiveness does not require continuing responsibilities? Forgiveness and trusting people in responsibilities are two separate considerations.
2) How many times may the person repeat a pattern of sin and repentance? How many times may a spouse commit adultery and the wife must take him back? How many times may the preacher commit adultery and the church still must support him? Is there a limit?
Everyone will eventually agree that there is a limit. After a while, the person must be forgiven but not continue responsibility. But what about 70 times 7? If we admit there comes a time when we do not have to put the person back in the position, we are admitting the basic issue here is not forgiveness but trust.
Do Not Confuse Forgiveness of Guilt with Granting Special Positions of Responsibility.
People may be cleansed of guilt and received as faithful Christians in good standing in the congregation yet still not qualify for special positions.
Every congregation has many people who are forgiven but do not serve as elders, supported preachers, etc. Why? Because special responsibilities require characteristics beyond being a faithful Christian. Forgiveness and qualifying for special responsibilities are two different things.
Forgiveness grants pardon for guilt, so one is no longer alienated from God or the church. So, one is received as a faithful Christian, a part of the local church. But after one is forgiven, time is needed for him to develop a reputation for trustworthiness for special tasks or positions.
Whether one is forgiven to become a Christian or forgiven as an erring child of God, time may be required to establish one is trustworthy for a special position.
If a person has been entrusted with a position of responsibility based on evidence he qualifies, but he so acts as to lose or cast doubt on his ability to do the job effectively, then it is fair to require him to again give evidence that he qualifies.
Some jobs require higher qualifications than just being a child of God. They may require experience, knowledge, maturity, good reputation and example, etc. So, we consider a person’s qualifications before appointing him. He should establish the evidence he is qualified.
Likewise, a disciple who serves in a position might sin in such a way that seriously harms his influence, or his judgment in doing the job may be doubtful, or the activity itself may place him in a position of temptation that is spiritually dangerous to him or to other people. It may then be wise to not restore them to that position but to give them time to re-establish trust.
This does not mean we have not forgiven.
Many Christians are accepted into full fellowship, but may not be given special responsibility. Does that mean we count them to be in sin? No. Likewise, if a person has a position but betrays the trust of that position, if we choose not to put him back in that position, that does not mean we still hold him guilty of sin.
We may need reassurance that he can do the job without hindering the Lord’s work. Or placing him back in the same work may put him again in temptation to sin.
1 Timothy 3:10 – Elders and deacons must be “first proved” to show they have the necessary qualifications before being put in the office. If in office they sin so as to cast doubt on their qualifications, they should “prove themselves” again before being given the office again.
Hebrews 5:12; 1 Timothy 1:7 – Teaching positions require a degree of knowledge and maturity. Not all Christians are ready for such positions. If we give a person time to mature after conversion before appointing them, we have not failed to forgive them. Likewise, if a teacher sins, removing them for a time does not mean we have not forgiven but we believe they need time to re-establish their influence and effectiveness.
Matthew 7:15-20 – By their fruits you shall know them. Forgiveness must be given at repentance and confession. But restoring special responsibilities requires evidence of change.
Acts 26:20 – Repentance must lead to fruits of repentance. And by their fruits you shall know them. People sometimes think, “I’ll forgive after I have seen fruits of repentance.” No. Forgiveness is granted at confession (Luke 17:3,4). But fruits of repentance are needed to restore responsibilities. Forgiveness is immediate. Restoring responsibilities takes time. (Luke 3:8-14)
Acts 15:36-38 – Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on the first preaching trip but left the work. Barnabas wanted to take him on the next trip, but Paul did not. Did Paul sin because he was unforgiving? No. The church commended Paul (verse 40). Later Paul commended Mark (2 Timothy 4:11). He gave him time to re-establish his reputation and trustworthiness.
Other examples: Miriam (Numbers 12:1-15; after the apostles forsook Jesus at His arrest, He spent 50 days retraining them to prepare them for His departure and then He gave the Holy Spirit.
Conclusion
What can we learn from this study?
1) Many relationships/responsibilities require characteristics beyond being forgiven of sin.
2) Not all Christians qualify for all special responsibilities. It takes time to build trust.
3) If a disciple has a special role but sins and repents, it may be wise to give time for him to rebuild his reputation. It is not a matter of forgiveness, but reputation, influence, and trust.
4) Judgment is involved in restoring the special role depending on the sin committed, the relationship it has to the responsibility, and other circumstances. There may be different views, as with Paul and Barnabas, in which neither view is wrong. Scripture gives no hard, fast rules regarding when or how long to require rebuilding trust.
5) The church under its leaders must decide according to their best judgment what is best for the church and the work of the Lord. In any case, it is not a matter of forgiveness but trust.
(c) Copyright David E. Pratte, 2023; gospelway.com
