|
If Brethren Can Practice it,
Then Why Can't I Teach it?
By
David Smitherman
How to Treat Sinners?
After a careful study
of the subject, the following are my conclusions on the subject of how to
treat sinners.
1. Talk to everyone but
the sinner about what they've done---Forget what Jesus said in
Matt. 18:15.
2. Don't attempt to
restore the sinner---Paul didn't know what he was talking about in
Gal.
6:1.
3. As sinners attempt
to cope with their sin and its consequences, make it as difficult for them
as possible by turning your back on them in their hour of need---Paul's much
learning had really made him mad when he wrote
Gal.
6:2.
4. Self-righteously act
like you've never sinned and would certainly never do what they've
done---That's what Jesus was teaching in
Lk.
18:9-14.
5. When sinners repent,
(a) refuse to forgive them---Jesus' command in
Lk.
17:3-4 can be
ignored as well as the command in Mk. 16:15-16 and (b) show them no mercy or
comfort---Paul was going liberal when he wrote that mushy stuff in
2
Cor. 2:6-8.
6. Pay no attention to
the example of how Jesus treated and what he said to and about the sinful
woman in
Luke
7:36-50---1 John 2:6
doesn't apply to us today.
7. Disregard Paul's
commands in
Col.
3:12-14---Any
preacher who talks about "compassion", "kindness", "love", etc. can't be
trusted.
8. And after you've
treated a sinner in the above-described manner, try to forget what Jesus
said in
Matt. 6:15 when
you ask for mercy and pardon for your sins---Surely God wouldn't treat you
the way you've treated others.
Now if, after doing
these things, you have trouble sleeping at night---good!
I hope you understand
that my tongue was planted firmly in my cheek when I wrote this. But, if
brethren can practice it (and I've seen them do it for years), why can't I
teach it?
Tune-in to Bible Talk
Every Sunday 12:35-1:00 PM
WINA 1070 AM, Charlottesville,
VA
For
Past Program Archives go to:
To
be a part of the Program call
our Bible Talk line at:
(434) 975-7373 and leave
a question or a comment.
Call Anytime!
|
