Certain Christians are so good that you would be shocked if you found out that they had deceived someone. These are our “Good Guys'” who stand out as moral examples in the church.
However, it is not uncommon for some of these same brethren to miss deception in others. I have stood amazed at their inability to see wolves in sheep’s clothing. They may acknowledge wrongdoing, but they do not attribute the bad motives that are often obvious to everyone else—they just can’t see it.
In coming to their defense, we must appreciate that some brethren only want to see the good in people and circumstances. They have a deep loyalty to Christ and his church and they want everyone to do well. Though we may dismiss them as being Pollyanna-ish, we would do better if we instead took the best of their goodwill to heart. All of us have been recipients of the kindness of such brethren when given the benefit of the doubt; especially when it was undeserved.
Jesus has no illusions about human shortcomings. It is his absolute knowledge of man’s sinfully hopeless state that brought him from heaven to take away that sin, and to give everyone hope. His was not a I-hope-this-works quest into the abyss. Rather, every aspect of his rescue mission was mapped out in eternity. Scripture says:
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).
And now, purified by the blood of Christ, it is our heart’s desire to become pure in heart like our Saviour. But pure in heart does not mean that we cease to see the forest for the trees. Paul warned the Corinthian brethren:
“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).
“Purity of devotion to Christ.” That’s the kind of purity we seek.
John Staiger