So many get upset when one publically calls out sin.
"Don't judge me" they say. Well, I have news for you. If we in the Church do not lovingly judge or correct one another, God will! Judgment begins in the Church. (1 Peter 4:17)
God gave us a son (John 3:16) and promised us a Savior (Isaiah 9:6) in order to
redeem us from sin, not
tolerate it! While we do not expect the unredeemed and the lost to understand, we do and must call the believer to be accountable . . . but in love! Jesus does not tell to not judge, but to point out sin lovingly and with mercy and in a way that leads one to the reconciliation of Christ.(Luke 9:35-42)
It was because of
sin that God gave to us! If we do not point out
sin, then we will not be able to explain the need for a Savior!
Sin caused Christ to come down from heaven and sacrifice for us. We 9as a Church) need to be called to accountability and discipleship. There needs to be a constant on-going desire to be
sinless and to desire to
sin less and less each day!
We must seek to live as a holy people. Live in this world yes. Dig into the culture of this world yes. . . yet a holy people . . . not freaks of nature, but as holy, human, saved, and
living-for-Jesus-and-His-will people!(1 Peter 2:9)
Jesus and sin cannot co-exist. Christians therefore cannot blatantly
tolerate sin nor
condone it! We must also be careful to pint out our own challenges with sin. We are
not perfect, but striving for perfection!
So now, who is willing to walk beside the sinner we point out and help him or her to get to know the Savior? It is easy to both
ignore and
tolerate. It is easy to judge without love. None involves our commitment. Love requires dedication. If we are truly disciples of Jesus then we are to making disciples of ourselves as well.
As we follow Jesus, others should be walking along with us. Are we willing to pay the price of discipleship or live the easy life of the comfortable and friendly CHRISTian?
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