If Brethren Can Practice It, Then Why Can't I Teach It?

by David Smitherman

How to Treat Sinners?

After a careful study of the subject, the following are my conclusions on the subject of how to treat sinners.

1. Talk to everyone but the sinner about what they've done---Forget what Jesus said in Matt. 18:15.

2. Don't attempt to restore the sinner---Paul didn't know what he was talking about in Gal. 6:1.

3. As sinners attempt to cope with their sin and its consequences, make it as difficult for them as possible by turning your back on them in their hour of need---Paul's much learning had really made him mad when he wrote Gal. 6:2.

4. Self-righteously act like you've never sinned and would certainly never do what they've done---That's what Jesus was teaching in Lk. 18:9-14.

5. When sinners repent, (a) refuse to forgive them---Jesus' command in Lk. 17:3-4 can be ignored as well as the command in Mk. 16:15-16 and (b) show them no mercy or comfort---Paul was going liberal when he wrote that mushy stuff in 2 Cor. 2:6-8.

6. Pay no attention to the example of how Jesus treated and what he said to and about the sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50---1 John 2:6 doesn't apply to us today.

7. Disregard Paul's commands in Col. 3:12-14---Any preacher who talks about "compassion", "kindness", "love", etc. can't be trusted.

8. And after you've treated a sinner in the above-described manner, try to forget what Jesus said in Matt. 6:15 when you ask for mercy and pardon for your sins---Surely God wouldn't treat you the way you've treated others.

Now if, after doing these things, you have trouble sleeping at night---good!

I hope you understand that my tongue was planted firmly in my cheek when I wrote this. But, if brethren can practice it (and I've seen them do it for years), why can't I teach it?

 

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