I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. (vv. 9-11)

Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

Our first ancestors, Adam and Eve, were created innocent, but they did not have the Holy Spirit dwelling in them to know and understand God fully. They were called blameless, but not righteous, because righteousness is associated with the knowledge and wisdom of God. Until the Holy Spirit permanently resides in us, we are not righteous. Indeed, we all need to ask for the Holy Spirit to come to us, but this is not initiated by us. God prepares and guides us throughout our lives. When the Holy Spirit comes, we gain the knowledge of God. We then know the difference between lies and truth. We begin to understand God and confess our faith in Him.

However, we continue to sin because that is our nature. We pursue our old self until we realise that we are like pigs swimming in mire. God invites us to be His children, washes us, and clothes us with a white robe, which is Christ.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all the tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands. (Revelation 7:9)

Sometimes we forget God’s grace and chase after lust and the desires of the world like mad people, only to realise that we are back in the pig pen. Visible churches exist for our education and training. Attending a church service on Sundays helps us stop the madness and reminds us of our changed status through Jesus Christ.

However, many churches have become corrupt. They no longer preach the grace of God and the coming Kingdom. They preach half-grace, which is no grace at all. They appear to promote a morally upright life, but many churches have become pig pens full of pigs. They do not want to be criticised for their actions. Any rebuke is considered unloving and cruel. The leaders respond to rebukes by saying, “Aren’t you also dirty? Christ forgave us,” and they continue accepting immorality.

Those churches that call themselves “fundamentalist” have created their own kingdoms. They are often led by a few families. Anyone who questions their decisions is isolated and even considered a threat to their communities.

Even though the apostles of the first century are no longer physically present, their words—written through the Holy Spirit—remain with us. However, many churches turn a blind eye to immorality and, by doing so, end up promoting it.

Let us be clear: love is not remaining silent about immorality in the church. If the leaders refuse to listen, then shake the dust off your feet and leave. Why stay in a pig pen and be swept away with the rest when the Lord comes?

When you rebuke someone, remember that anyone can fall into temptation. How people respond to a rebuke is ultimately up to them. You have done your duty by speaking the truth. Do it with love and prayer, and ask for God’s guidance. People with the Holy Spirit will eventually turn away from sins. But evil people try to justify immorality by misusing Bible verses. Their judgment will be severe. However, we must not take vengeance into our own hands. God is the judge, and we only do our duty.

You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may certainly rebuke your neighbor, but you are not to incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance, nor hold any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:17-18)