What if a person has committed a terrible sin? Should I still accept them? - Acceptance - TouchPoints

Romans 8:38-39I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Galatians 6:1Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

1 John 4:20-21If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.

Nothing can separate a person from God’s love. In the same way, we should always love others, no matter how great their sin. This does not mean that we should accept or condone their sinful actions or ignore the appropriate discipline, but we should view and accept them as a unique and special creations of God. Only through love can we bring a sinful person back into fellowship with God and others. Even church discipline must be carried out with loving motives.

Matthew 18:32-33“Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’”

Ephesians 4:2-3, 32Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. . . . Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Colossians 3:13Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

Everyone sins, even Christians. Since Christ could forgive us for all we have done, we should be quick to forgive, and we have no right to hold a grudge against someone else.

Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”

1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 11I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship. . . . I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

2 Thessalonians 3:14Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed.

1 Timothy 5:19-20Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

Titus 3:9-11Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them.

James 5:19-20My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

We are called to love others, but we should not always accept their behavior. In the most serious cases, the community of faith has a responsibility to address sin among its members. We may want to accept ungodly behavior in hopes of avoiding conflict, telling ourselves we are being accepting and loving. But acceptance is not always the same as love. If we truly accept that someone is a beloved child of God, we cannot accept that child of God living in a way that is actively destroying them and those around them. Such behavior harms the sinner, harms those they sin against, and can even lead others into sin. It not only harms the community as a whole, but it harms Christ’s witness to the world. The Bible describes processes of private and then public warnings, and eventually a public distancing from that individual. Such discipline is not pleasant, but it may be the only way to catch that person’s attention and point him or her back to Christ. Sadly, not every person may accept such discipline, but at least others will be protected and warned from falling into the same trap.