But it is especially important that the topic of domestic violence be addressed by the church. Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, in his article "The Church and Violence against Women", writes...
"Male violence against women is a real problem in our culture, one the church must address. Our responsibility here is not simply at the level of social justice but at the level of ecclesical justice as well. We must teach from our pulpits, our Sunday school classes, and our Vacation Bible Schools that women are to be cherished, honored, and protected by men. This means we teach men to reject American playboy consumerism in light of a Judgment Seat at which they will give account for their care for their families. It means we explicitly tell the women in our congregations, 'A man who hits you has surrendered his headship, and that is the business both of the civil state in enacting public justice and of this church in enacting church discipline.'"
The church must pursue discipline of those individuals, who profess to be Christian and commit domestic violence for the safety of the spouse and family; and the glory of Christ. The church must proclaim the Gospel. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is such Good News that covers both the victims and the perpetrators. Domestic violence is a heinous sin not only against a person but against God because that person is made in the image of God. But Christ died for this heinous sin as well. This sin (and all sins) separates us from God who is holy and righteous.
Romans 3:23 (ESV): for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
But God loved us so that He sent His one and only Son, Jesus to come and take the penalty for our sins on the Cross.
John 3:16 (ESV): For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
The penalty for sin is death. And Jesus died in our place. He not only died, but He rose from the dead. Jesus' death and resurrection canceled the debt of sin we owed and brought forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 2:13-14 (NLT): You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross.
All one must do is repent of their sins (confess it and turn from it) and trust in Christ and their sins will be forgiven...including one who commits domestic violence. But not only are sins forgiven, the person is made brand new.
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
We should expect that someone who has truly repented would show fruits in keeping with their repentance. The Gospel also covers victims. When people are sinned against by domestic violence, they often feel fear, degradation, shame, and guilt. When Adam and Eve sinned they realized they were naked and felt fear and shame but God graciously covered their nakedness with animal skins. An animal had to die to provide this covering. This was a foreshadowing of Jesus, who died not only to forgive our sins but to cleanse us from the fear, guilt, and shame of sin.
1 John 1:9 (ESV): If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 3:20 (NLT): Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.
A person who has been the victim of domestic violence does not have to hang their head in shame as a victim but can know that they have a new identity in Christ: not victim but child of God. If you let a label define you and not Christ in you, you won't know the full measure of the freedom God has for you. Fear and shame wants to whisper lies that seduce you to believe that you are alone, rejected, and too stained for grace.
But the cross and resurrection of Jesus proclaim the opposite. Jesus took separation from God the Father so that you would never be alone. Jesus took rejection from His own people so that you would be accepted into God’s family. At the Cross, shame and disgrace were transformed into glory and grace. And that grace is given to all who will call on Christ.
Romans 10:11-13 (ESV): For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
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