MY NEIGHBOR IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
What is my responsibility for my neighbor’s sins as a member of the Body of Christ? If my neighbor has prejudiced thoughts, treats a minority unfairly, benefits from the inheritance of profits derived from racist’ structures, or demeans others because of their race, is that my fault? The answer depends on whether you are a member of the Body of Christ or not.
If Scripture is correct that in being part of the Body of Christ, we are bonded to our Christian neighbor and God through Christ, then we have a responsibility to bear the sins of our Christian neighbors just as Jesus bore our sins. If we are to reflect Christ to the world, do we also confess the sins of white nationalists, those who shoot little children in a school, the wealthy who use racism to shape their business, and the playground children who spout racist jokes?
INDIVIDUALISM
In a society that worships individualism, I understand how we were raised to think otherwise. Each of us is responsible for our own behavior and the consequences good or bad that result from our chosen attitude and behavior. Yet our faith challenges some of the basic principles of this set of beliefs. The concept of grace declares that it isn’t our works but our faith that heals and forgives us. We are not the product of our works. We are a product of God’s love.
ONE COMMUNITY AND ONE BODY
Consider the impact of a community of Christians who focused on obeying Christ’s command to love our neighbor. We come to worship as a community. When we are invited to confess our sins, consider the possibility of participating in a corporate confession. Instead of feeling superior to those who participate in behavior and thoughts that violate the will of God, can we confess on behalf of our neighbor’s sins of racism that nurtures the unjust structures of our society? As members of the Body of Christ, are we invited to reflect Christ as a community? What does it mean to the Body of Christ that Jesus prayed for all those who participated in his crucifixion, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”
You might object that you have enough sins of your own and can’t be responsible for the sins of others. Yet that is why you are a part of the Body of Christ. While you are confessing on behalf of others, there are others who are confessing on behalf of your sins. As a reflection of Jesus, you are engaging as a body in taking the sins of the world upon the church and lifting them up to God for forgiveness.
A sample of a confession of sins that we might offer during our worship.
“God, there are some in this church and society who participate in racist thoughts and behavior.” (a moment of silence.) “God forgive them.”
“Lord, there are some of us and many in our society, whose prosperity was built on discrimination and unjust structures in our society. (A moment of silence.) “Heal them of their blindness and liberate them by your grace.”
“Holy one, many of us and our neighbors allow our neighbors to experience injustice and discrimination without a protest from us.” (A moment of silence.) Hear us as we confess the sins of our world, and grant us the courage and boldness to advocate for your will being done on earth as it is in heaven.”
ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS
We ask for your forgiveness, Lord, not based on our goodness or the purity of our faith. We dare to seek your forgiveness because we saw in the flesh how Jesus loved the outcast, healed the sick, and challenged us to forgive each other seventy times seven. Because we trust in you, we know we are forgiven and in thanksgiving, we seek to offer forgiveness to all we meet.
Steve, Thank you for a very thought-provoking and timely meditation. This could be for followers of Jesus Christ an appropriate way to respond to the painful divisions in our nation, and the level of disrespect and dismissal in public and private discourse.