stephen R Harrison

What do you do when you find out someone has been involved in a gross and far-reaching sin? Does it depend on the sin and how deeply they have hurt others? Some sins are more public, more damaging, and have more consequences than others. But in reality, sin is sin, and all of it separates us from God (and people). It’s a good thing Jesus died for our sins, and His truth sets us free! 2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God made Him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus forgives us for our sins, and His grace covers the darkest transgressions. Hallelujah! While that’s true, His forgiveness doesn’t always remove the earthly consequences of sin. What it does do is free us in Christ to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Typically, when someone is caught in a gross sin, I see the world and even some Christians blast them, especially if that person called themselves a Christian. The church is real good about drawing lines in the sand with truth (like it should), but not real good about loving people through the process of restoration to Christ (like it should). Is a person who claims to be Christian hypocritical for sinning? We all are if we live just the opposite of what we preach against and the truth of Scripture. Should we be surprised when people sin? No, because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But just because all have sinned doesn’t mean all should continue in sin (Romans 6:1, 15). Those in Christ should run from sin, not toward it. We should submit all our fleshly ideas, desires, and actions to Christ. For my own life, I’ve found the best way to run from sin is to run toward Christ. He always provides a way of escape from sin when temptation comes (1 Corinthians 10:13). But when you are caught in sin, should you be cast away, shamed, and left to overcome alone? Absolutely not. Lord, forgive me when I’ve done that wrongly.

How should Christians respond to those in sin? If they are not believers in Christ, we should lovingly show and share with them the Gospel and how it transforms lives. We don’t pretend we have sinned, but we share our testimony of how Jesus changed us. We don’t weaponize Scripture, but we graciously share the life-changing truth of Scripture. We shouldn’t shame those not in Christ for not living for Christ. We should extend God’s Gospel of grace, love, and forgiveness to show them Jesus is the way, truth, and the life (John 14:6). If they are Christians caught in sin but haven’t confessed it (or if it is public), we should approach them kindly and lovingly with truth to help them turn from sin. James 5:20 says, “Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.” It is right to lovingly confront someone in sin for restoration – not condemnation and judgment. Jesus came to save, not to condemn (John 3:17), the Holy Spirit is the convictor of sin (John 16:8), and those in Christ don’t have to walk in shame but freedom (Romans 8:1-2). The Spirit sets us free from sin and death.

Galatians 6:1-2 says, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” What is the “law of Christ”? It is “love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as your Christ” (Mark 12:30-31). It says we are to help restore them, not condemn them. How are we to restore? With gentleness, remembering that it could be you caught in that sin. How would you want others to treat you if you were in that person’s sin? Jesus was never soft on sin, and neither should we be. What did He do with sin? He defeated sin – its power, penalty, and persuasion – and we should point people to that hope found only in Him. It’s hard to cast stones at someone when you are standing next to them, loving them through sin with truth towards Christ.