A school teacher once commented that when his students misbehaved, the first question he asked was what he could do to encourage the students to behave differently. Instead of saying “nobody acts like I want them to,” the reaction was “what can I do to help?”
Asking how we can help those who “misbehave” is a practice Christians should adopt with regard to sinners.
The Jewish leaders rebuked by Jesus treated sinners with contempt instead of love. They saw sinners as “second-class people” to be criticized and abstained from instead of precious souls in danger (Mark 2:15-16).
Jesus could have become angry Himself when He saw people “scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” Instead, He “was moved with compassion on them” (Matthew 9:36), and prayed that help would be sent (Matthew 9:37-38).
Perhaps the more common response to those living in sin is merely discussing their actions with others. Discussing sin with fellow Christians does help clarify what sin is and assure one another that it is not something we should have any part in (Ephesians 5:7-8). Yet, helping others goes beyond identifying problems.
Helping to fix the problems of those in sin is not accomplished by merely complaining, but by proclaiming that sinners can be forgiven if we repent and obey God (Acts 2:38-40).
When Paul knew of Jews living in sin, it was his “heart’s desire and prayer to God…that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). Like Jesus, Paul admonished sinners to change (Acts 26:20), prayed that Christians would not join in evil (Philippians 1:9-11), prayed for sinners (Romans 10:1), encouraged prayers for evangelism (Ephesians 6:18-20), and admonished brethren to be a light for those in darkness (Philippians 2:15).
Like Paul, we must recognize sin as the horrible mistreatment of God that it is. Regarding the sinner, though, we must ask, “How can I help?”
Instead of proudly looking down on sinners, we should pray for them. Instead of gossiping about them, we should exhort them to obey God. Remember, it is not the world, but the church, that is responsible for shining as a bright light.
This is not to say unrepentant sinners will not be held accountable. Every individual must work out his or her “own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).
Yet, part of working out our salvation is helping others work out theirs. This was Jesus’ focus (Luke 19:10), and it should be a focus of ours (cf. Acts 8:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:14). Instead of complaining about others for failing to meet their responsibilities, may we focus on how we can help others, and thereby fulfill our own responsibilities.
– Michael Hickox