Assurance or Repentance?

What’s the loving thing to do when a fellow Christian sins?

Should we assure them it’s no big deal?

Others have done worse. They shouldn’t feel bad about themselves. They’re being too hard on themselves, expecting too much of themselves. After all, we’re all sinners. 

I think this is the most common thing for Christians to do. 

I’ve done it.

It seems compassionate. 

But is it?

Let’s take it a step further: what if a professing Christian begins living an ungodly lifestyle or simply loses interest in the things of God? 

Should we assure them they're saved?

Does Scripture comfort and assure rocky-ground or thorny-ground people that they’re saved?

When we minimize sin, we might be encouraging a sinning believer to keep sinning or assuring an unsaved person that they’re saved. 

There’s nothing kind or loving about that.

God cares deeply for us, but He hates sin. It grieves His heart. 

God never treats sin casually, nor should we … whether in ourselves or in others.

Matthew 18:15, James 5:19-20, and 1 Corinthians 5:12 tell us about our responsibility to lovingly warn sinning believers.
------------------
To read about a situation when a group assured a sinning believer, see When Down is Up.

Why not add some more of God's Word to your schedule by having a 1-minute devotion like this one delivered to your email each weekday. Sign up for a free subscription to Bible Love Notes and get a free e-booklet that will help you add joy and depth to your Quiet Time. Find out more HERE.