Who is Watching Out For Us?

The other night in our small group we were discussing the fallout from last summer's ELCA Lutheran Church decision to ordain homosexuals. Someone asked the question about what would happen to the clergy who went along with this decision? My mind immediately went to Ezekiel 33:1-9 (see also chapter 3).

In both Ezekiel chapter 3 and again in chapter 33 God declares that the prophet is the "watchman"--"Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for the house of Israel" (33:7). In chapter 33 God's word to Ezekiel makes it clear that a watchman's duty is to warn the people of the city of impending doom. Failure to do so brings their blood on his head. Faithfulness to alert them to the coming danger alleviates the watchman from guilt if the people do not heed his warning. God appointed Ezekiel as the spiritual watchman over His people. When God is pronouncing judgment upon the people because of their sin Ezekiel is to declare to them that their sin will result in punishment. If God declares to the wicked that they will die and Ezekiel neglects to warn them he is held accountable. If he warns them of coming doom and their need to turn from sin and they ignore his warning then they are held accountable.

Although the watchman responsibilities given to Ezekiel in these passages are unique to him and his relationship to Israel I think it a valid principle we can draw from these verses is that the "watchman" responsibilities extend every spiritual leader in the church today. What a sobering thought for everyone in spiritual leadership to consider, that failure on our part to alert people to their need to repent of sin will bring guilt upon us. For leaders to condone what God condemns is treacherous business that can ultimately result in people being permanently condemned. In 1Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul clearly states that "those who practice these things will not inherit the Kingdom of God." The list of sins is not exhaustive here but merely illustrative, but the consequence of persisting in them is the same--condemnation. For spiritual leaders to remain silent about the sin of others will in effect condemn those who continue in sin. Hebrews 13:17 reminds us that we are accountable.
It is sobering for me to ponder the necessity of lovingly exposing sin and the natural consequence of sin so that people caught in it will turn from it and live.

There is no excuse for pious, self-righteous, arrogant condescension on the part of one against another, but there is a need for loving confrontation and caution when someone is sinning against God. Only when spiritual leaders expose the sin will people know that they must turn from it and thereby avoid condemnation. What a sobering reminder for all of us in leadership.