Keavy Church of Christ

Mark Tabata’s Weekday Devotionals

Thursday July 2 2026

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Matthew 5:13-16-You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Jerry (not his real name) and I were talking about why he had made the decision to leave Christianity years earlier. After attending a rehab, he had met a man who came in to minister with his church’s addiction recovery group. The man he met was happily married with children, and they hit things off and became fast friends. Shortly after leaving rehab, Jerry began spending time with some of his “friends” who had been an influence to lead him to a life of addiction. Before he knew it, he was back on the needle and once again found himself bound in a lifestyle of addiction.

In desperation, Jerry reached out to his friend he had made from church. He didn’t know what to do at that point: he hoped that his friend could help him get into touch with another rehab. At the least, he hoped his friend would pray with him and for him.

That’s not what happened.

Mark: So, how did that conversation go, Jerry?

Jerry: Brother Mark, my friend listened to me, but he didn’t offer to help me get back into rehab. Instead, he offered me money for drugs if I would have sexual relations with his wife while he watched.

Mark: Mercy.

Jerry: I told him no, that I don’t roll that way. But brother Mark, that made me see that a lot of church folk are often as messed up as people in the world. Why should I want to be involved with a group like that?

He asked a good question, and I gave him the best answer I could at the time.

Mark: Jerry, there is no excuse for what happened. I am sorry that you experienced that. And I wish I could say it is the only time I have heard stories like this, but I have heard this same thing (and similar accounts) from others before. But I can tell you this: the failings of man do not mean that Jesus will fail you. And if anything, your account reminds me that we all need the Great Physician, Christians included. Myself included! Because I have failings as much as anyone.

Jerry: Well, I’m not mad at the guy. I still consider him a friend. Just kind of messed up, you know? But who isn’t? And I know that the church is a hospital for sinners, right?

Mark: He is, we are, and it is. Or at least it’s supposed to be. But a hospital is supposed to be a place where people get treatment and try to get better. I wonder if your friend is trying to do something to get better spiritually? Sadly, a lot of churches don’t teach accountability and healing. What kind of hospital is it where sick people go just to stay sick and continue without treatment? I commend you for not being angry with that man. I hope if he hasn’t repented, he will one day. I’ll pray for him for that. Let me encourage you not to give up on the church. Become a member of Christ’s church by repenting and being baptized (Acts 2:37-47), and be an active member. And you will be a great light to others to encourage them to live right!

(End Of Relevant Conversation)

With this all in mind, consider this Scripture that Jerry and I looked at that day.

Isaiah 42:1-4 (ERV)-Here is my servant, the one I support. He is the one I have chosen, and I am very pleased with him. I have filled him with my Spirit, and he will bring justice to the nations. 2  He will not cry out or shout or try to make himself heard in the streets. 3  He will not break even a crushed reed. He will not put out even the weakest flame. He will bring true justice. 4  He will not grow weak or give up until he has brought justice to the world. And people in faraway places will hope to receive his teachings.”

Please carefully consider the language of this passage. Everything here speaks of a Savior Who will come and minister to those who are spiritually broken.

He shall not t use loud and angry words, as they do who are engaged in conflict, but all his teaching shall be gentle, humble, and mild. How well this agrees with the character of the Lord Jesus it is not necessary to pause to show. The word ‹reed‘ means the cane or calamus which grows up in marshy or wet places (Isaiah 36: 6; see the note at Isaiah 43: 24). The word, therefore, literally denotes that which is fragile, weak, easily waved by the wind, or broken down; and stands in contrast with a lofty and firm tree (compare Matthew 11: 7): ‹What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?‘ The word here, therefore, may be applied to people who are conscious of feebleness and sin; that are moved and broken by calamity; that feel that they have no strength to bear up against the ills of life. The word ‹bruised‘ (רצוּץ râtsûts ) means that which is broken or crushed, but not entirely broken off. As used here, it may denote those who are in themselves naturally feeble, and who have been crushed or broken down by a sense of sin, by calamity, or by affliction. We speak familiarly of crushing or breaking down by trials; and the phrase here is intensive and emphatic, denoting those who are at best like a reed-feeble and fragile; and who, in addition to that, have been broken and oppressed by a sense of their sins, or by calamity. Shall he not break-Shall he not break off. He will not carry on the work of destruction, and entirely crush or break it. And the idea is, that he will not make those already broken down with a sense of sin and with calamity, more wretched. He will not deepen their afflictions, or augment their trials, or multiply their sorrows. The sense is, that he will have an affectionate regard for the broken-hearted, the humble, the penitent, and the afflicted. Luther has well expressed this: ‹He does not cast away, nor crush, nor condemn the wounded in conscience, those who are terrified in view of their sins; the weak in faith and practice, but watches over and cherishes them, makes them whole, and affectionately embraces them.‘ The expression is parallel to that which occurs in Isaiah 61: 1, where it is said of the Messiah, ‹He hath sent me to bind up the broken-hearted;‘ and to the declaration in Isaiah 50: 4, where it is said, ‹that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary.‘ The smoking flax-The word used here denotes flax, and then a wick that is made of it. The word rendered ‹smoking‘ (כהה kēhâh ) means that which is weak, small, thin, feeble; then that which is just ready to go out, or to be extinguished; and the phrase refers literally to the expiring wick of a lamp, when the oil is almost consumed, and when it shines with a feeble and dying luster. It may denote here the condition of one who is feeble and disheartened, and whose love to God seems almost ready to expire. And the promise that he will not extinguish or quench that, means that he would cherish, feed, and cultivate it; he would supply it with grace, as with oil to cherish the dying flame, and cause it to be enkindled, and to rise with a high and steady brilliancy. (Albert Barnes, Barnes On The Whole Bible: Albert Barnes’ Notes On The Whole Bible, 6863-6885 (Kindle Edition)

Jesus doesn’t give up on those who are lost and struggling, and neither should we.

Jerry told me that he is going to begin attending a church of Christ when he is able, with an understanding that Christians need accountability and grace as much as anyone. Being a Christian doesn’t mean we have everything figured out. To quote the Acapella song, “We have a long way to go.”

All of this raises questions.

How should the church respond to brokenness and sin among our members?

Some would say that we should ignore topics such as this and not bring them up. Yet is that how Christ and the Apostles addressed problems of sin and brokenness in the church? Did Paul not deal directly with issues such as this (1 Corinthians 5:1-11; 6:9-11; Galatians 6:1-2; Colossians 3:1-14)?

Is our church a place where the broken can be encouraged and counseled? Do our members feel comfortable seeking help and prayer from our brothers and sisters?

Is our church a safe place where sin can be confessed and healing sought (James 5:11-20)?

At the same time, is our church a place where people can be encouraged to be held accountable (Matthew 18:15-18)?

What are some things that we can do to help make our church a safe place of gracious responsibility and healing?

Father, help us to be better lights in this world of darkness. Deal gently with us and help us to grow as Your people. Forgive our failings, and help us all. Amen.