SEEING THE SIN BUT LOVING THE SINNER

In my last post, I wrote that I would share on a controversial subject on which I was going to take a firm stand. That will have to wait.

It now seems more important to reply to a comment made by Gayle after the first post.

Gayle, I’ve thought a lot about your questions. I’ll answer the last question first. How do we protect the church from gradual acceptance of sexual sin?

1. Our pastors and teachers must fearlessly teach what the Bible says concerning sexual sin.

2. Local church leaders must confront those members who are known to be ensnared by sexual sin.

3. If you know of someone, who claims to be a Christian, who is tempted or has fallen prey to sexual sin, begin to pray for that person’s spiritual well being. Pray for God to give you an opportunity to graciously share Scripture that warns against sexual sin. Pray also for perfect timing, tone and tact. Then leave the results with God and give Him time to work. If the offender begins to avoid you, it does not mean that God is not at work.

The answer to your second question, “How do we love our brothers and sisters in Christ who are practicing sexual sin,” is more detailed. I’ll draw from two teachings that I received recently. They were both on Mark 2:1-12; but each had a different application.

The first taught on God’s plan for each of us to be a missionary to those around us. The second told of four friends who brought a paralyzed man to Jesus; and because of the faith of the friends, the paralyzed man was healed spiritually. Both of these teachings gave practical ways of loving a brother or sister who is too paralyzed by sexual sin to help themselves.

As a missionary, we are to show concern for individuals. Talk to them. Find out what is going on in their lives. We are to show compassion, knowing that fear, shame, disgrace, discouragement, anxiety, abandonment and negative consequences are some of the fruits of sin. We must have a strong conviction that God is the only one that can heal the sinner.

Be courageous. Don’t stop loving. Be realistic. Loving at times can be a challenge and there will probably be a cost to you. But this is what Christ has done and continues to do for each of us.

As a friend, we are to bring to Jesus in prayer those whom we see being tempted by sexual sin. If possible, other friends can join us; but we have to be cautious in this area. We never want to spread gossip while enlisting the help of others.

I have experienced personally how frustrating it can be to receive the above teaching. At times, my comment to God has been, “I can’t do it!” But God has shown me that, in His power, I can do it; but I don’t want to. Withholding love is my way of punishing the offender.

I heard recently a shocking truth. Being angry with someone, or withholding forgiveness, is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Remember that forgiving someone is not a feeling. It is an action verb which you practice every time the offense pops into your mind. Forgiving is not bringing the offense into a new situation but doing what God would see as best for all involved.

Gayle, your questions made me realize that there was a request I did not have on my prayer list. “Keep church leadership from falling prey to sexual temptation.” I do now.