Live-in Relationship?

A couple was contacted by the saints and started coming to attend the Lord’s table meeting and other regular meetings of the church, as they are already believers. Yet, they have not been living the normal Christian life for years. So, having realized the seriousness of relationship between male and female who are not yet married, as responsible brothers, we decided to help the couple and shepherd them for their going on in their Christian life and church life. As they were being shepherded, it was brought to my notice about their joblessness and financial difficulties clubbed together with the live-in relationship they have been in for a couple of months now. In fellowship we, brothers, felt good to shepherd them in a very practical way.

First, we decided to help meet their basic need for essential items, especially, food. So we offered Rs.5000 which can last for a month for their food. Due to the present pandemic, they have been jobless for months and complete broke. The church responsibility is to take care of the needy ones, believers and unbelievers within our capcity. 

Second, we went to fellowship with the couple and shepherded them in a way of revealing to them the proper relationship to be maintained between male and female. Yes, they are boy friend and girl friend living together which is very common in a metropolitan society. And in fact, this has been an acceptable norm in this evil and sinful generation. But the word of God cannot be compromised. So we fellowshipped with them and offered to help them to legally get married and be a proper testimony in the church. While fellowshipping all these, never we did in a way of accusation though we condemn the immorality, we would rather shepherd the ones involved in it, to sin no more. However, we did not impose anything legally but gave them the opportunity to make their decision based on the truth of the Bible.

I personally am glad to come across such case, as I must learn in coordination with my brothers how to shepherd new ones with such background. As we spoke to them, we also showed them the way for them to grow in life, to enjoy the word of God, to pursue the truth, to learn to practice morning revival, to pray, to be in fellowship with the saints, and to be blended in the Body. The church is a home for the spiritually homeless, a school for spiritual education, and also a hospital for spiritual healing. With love and care, and yet with the reverential fear of the holy and righteous God, the new ones have to be shepherded. And that's the lesson I have been learning.

This indicent reminds me of John 8

John 8:3-11

3. And the scribes and Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the midst, 

4. They said to Him, Teacher, this woman has been caught committing adultery, in the very act. 

5. Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What then do You say? 

6. But they said this to tempt Him, so that they might have reason to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote with His finger on the ground. 

7. But when they persisted in questioning Him, He stood up and said to them, He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her. 

8. And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 

9. And when they heard that, they went out one by one, beginning with the older ones. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman stood where she was, in the midst. 

10. And Jesus stood up and said to her, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? 

11. And she said, No one, Lord. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more. 

It is easy to religiously fall into the trap of Satan when new ones with such sinful background would be brought into the church. Without knowing the Lord in a very experiential way, it is tempting to fall into moral ground and apply the comandment of God legally. Yes, sin must be condemned, but sinners must be loved and shepherded. This is a precious lesson in shepherding the saints while bearing responsibilities in a local church.

1 Timothy 1:15

Faithful is the word and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost. 

The Lord's heart has always been to save sinners.

Mark 2:17

And when Jesus heard this, He said to them, Those who are strong have no need of a physician, but those who are ill; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners. 

May the Lord shepherd this couple and gain them!