The Balance of Truth and Grace: Responding to Fallen Believers in Christ-likeness
It is disheartening to see a Christian fall, to watch another’s ministry crumble before him or her or before the world. It is even harder, at times, to watch other Christians’ responses to that fall. We are all called to live a life that reflects Christ, and this includes our responses to those who have stumbled and fallen.
Truth
It is imperative for those who have used their platform to harm others or misrepresent the message of Christ to be accountable for their actions. This week Michael Tait, former member of DC Talk and lead singer for Newsboys, admitted to substance use and committing unwanted sexual advances toward other men. It was heartbreaking to hear that another Christian has lost his way. But what was even more heart breaking to watch was people’s responses on social media.
Many responses on social media were filled with truths that carried judgment, anger, and condemnation. None of this reflects the heart of Christ. Is he responsible for his actions? Absolutely. Should there be accountability for his actions? Absolutely. Should we wield rocks in preparation for stoning? Absolutely not.
Speaking truth does not equate to judgment or condemnation. In fact, many of us speak truth because we feel it is our right, rather than God’s call. For if God has called us to speak truth to someone, it will be a truth that equates to love, freedom, and change (1 Corinthians 13:6, John 8:32, John 17:17). We do not have to be mean to someone to share truth. Truth can be delivered with kindness while also setting appropriate boundaries, and, when necessary, applying appropriate consequences.
Moreover, as Christians, we must remember that just because we are not on a stage, does not mean that people are not watching us. How we treat each other whether in person or on social media matters. We can offer truths wherever we are, but if we do not do it in love, we are a clanging symbol (1 Corinthians 13).
Jesus was a great model of this. He was “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). He offered stern truths to the Pharisees and Sadducees, but redemption was still theirs as much as it is ours. Yet, sometimes we want to apply all truth and forget the grace. That is not balanced living. Grace adds the soothing balm to truths applied.
Grace
In relation to Michael Tait’s fall, or other public Christian figures fall, we may feel as though we have been wronged or betrayed because we trusted the person to live what they were preaching or singing. And in many ways, they did use their platform to conceal the truth of their behaviors deceiving others in the process. However, before we wield the sword of Truth, we need to evaluate a few things.
For example, in 1994, one of my favorite singers fell from grace straight into the pit of hell. Michael English has an angelic voice that can bring anyone to their knees. Watching his very public fall, I was the one who “truthed” him all the way! I gave no grace. Yet, he did not do anything to me personally. Then, I had my own fall from grace. It was through this event that I saw the truth of Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” No, I was not a public figure, but it made the judgment no less hurtful. It wasn’t much fun being on the receiving side of judgement.
What I learned from this all was “The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion” (Psalm 116:5). Never once in my judginess did I ask, “What happened to Michael English that he thought this was an option? Why did he think he could not ask for help?” I just took upon myself to be judge and jury. Not helpful or hopeful. And then I found myself wanting/needing the same help and hope.
No matter who has fallen, we can exercise the same grace Jesus offers us. Again, this does not mean we excuse or defend behaviors, but it does mean that “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). How I display the truth as well as the grace will be reflective of Christ.
The Balance of Truth and Grace
Some of us have experienced another person’s deceitful and harmful behaviors and words directly. Please know that I am not excusing any of their behaviors. Nor am I advocating for them not to be held accountable for their actions. Furthermore, I am not supporting that those who have fallen victim to another’s deceitful ways deny their hurt to offer grace. What I am communicating, though, is that grace and redemption is available for all.
Scripture is clear, “There is no one righteous, not even one…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:10,23). There is the truth: none of us is righteous, we have all sinned. And if this truth was all there was, what joy or hope would we have?
However, along with the above truth, God offers us a gift: grace (Ephesians 2:8). In Jesus’ death on the cross, he died for every sin we would commit. He died on the cross knowing some would turn from their sinful ways and some would not. He died knowing some would deceive and betray others. And still, “God demonstrates his own love us in this: while we were [are] still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We are all “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came through Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).
To reiterate, this does not excuse the atrociousness of those who have used their platform as way to manipulate, coerce, or abuse God’s children. Additionally, in no way should we put ourselves in harm’s way to offer grace. The balance dicussed here is a reminder that we can offer truth and grace to others who are willing to receive it in a Christ-like way so that we might experience the same in our time of need.
Final thoughts
Watching our faith giants fall is disheartening. But our responses to their fall should not be. We can speak in truth and still model Christ. We can hold others accountable and still show the love and grace of Christ. For “Whatever you do, whether in word in or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord” (Colossians 3:17).