So how should I respond when I see someone caught up in a sin?

I heard a quote attributed to Billy Graham that goes something like this: “It’s my job to love; it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to convict.”  I wonder how much wounding Christians could avoid if they followed that simple quote.

The first ten verses of John 8 shows me how I should respond when I see someone sick with sin.  The religious leaders brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery (not just suspected…but caught in the act) to Jesus.  Their focus was on exposing and punishing.  How did Jesus respond?  He confronted sin…but not the one the religious leaders expected.  Instead of joining in the shame party for the woman, he confronted the religious leaders for their own sin of being judgmental.  How did Jesus respond to the woman? He was gentle with her and spoke to her need…which was the need to change how she was living.

So when I see someone caught in a sin how should I respond? First, I need to remember, as the psalmist says, that my own sin is always before me.  I have no moral standing to judge anyone.  Once I am clear on that, it becomes much easier to respond in love with a heart to help, not shame.

Grace & Peace,

Jim