by Chris Steele

July 8, 2007

The Word of God gives the command that we inform people about their sinful behavior, religious error, and false practices (2 Timothy 4:2-5; Acts 20:29-31). This warning must always be given in the spirit of love and concern for the erring soul (Ephesians 4:15). One who does not repent of the error of their ways, cannot be saved (Luke 13:3).

Too often when we keep the command to warn the sinner (moral or religious), we hear a cry from some that we are being unloving and negative. In their mind, it is impossible to bring about harmony among those who believe in Jesus Christ, while condemning anything that anyone does, even though it is contrary to God’s will. Some have asked, “Why can’t you just preach Christ and leave others alone?” Well then, by all means, let’s preach Christ!

Our Lord was very firm on the subject of sin. He never overlooked wrong doing, even in religious people (Matthew 23). Jesus was never hesitant to confront error and hypocrisy. The Pharisees might have said, “Just preach God, and leave us alone,” but the problem was (and continues to be) that in order to preach God and/or Jesus you cannot leave people alone and ignore their sin. Like Christ, we preach repentance (Matthew 3:2); making necessary changes in order to be saved (Luke 13:3). When Jesus preached about the strait and narrow path, comparing it to the wide and broad way (Matthew 7:13-14), he implied that there is a choice every one makes for the right way or the wrong way. The Lord even spoke of those who thought they were right, when in fact they were very much in error. They stood condemned because of their misunderstanding of the scriptures (Matthew 7:21-23). Because of His great love, the Savior of all of mankind could not leave them alone. They needed to know, if they were to be saved.

No, preaching Christ is preaching the truth, and the truth can be very disturbing at times (Matthew 10:34). People need to hear it in order to be set free (John 8:32). Jesus wanted everyone to know that he was not going to leave them alone because he loved them too much (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). We cannot do any less today, if the love of God is in us.