Lovingly speaking truth - Continued

The underlying principle that I return to and continually work from is to be found in Galatians Chapter six:

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

What does this tell me?

First and foremost, that I am to to maintain myself as a 'spiritual' person and from this position of being "Right with God" (or as right with God as I can be) I am to come alongside those who are "Caught in a sin" and "restore" them.

This does not mean that I berate them, shout scream and utter disgusting things, condemning them as some Christian have done and probably will continue to do regardless of what Christ calls us to. What it means is that I come alongside them and show them a better way. I like the idea of 'coming alongside' for this is the 'parakletos' that is the Holy Spirit - who better to have as an ally and an example.

I seek to ensure that I do not utter terrible things and display attitudes that are not Christlike because to do so would mean that I am 'stumbling' myself and have given in to temptation.

That I do not engage in a particular sin does not make me better than the other person, for the sins (hidden very often) in which I engage make me just another sinner like them.

Some people obviously do think themselves to be 'something' in that they denounce others as not being 'proper' Christians and engage with the ad hominem and disgraceful utterances and truly they appear to deceive themselves. Sadly, they are not open to correction and will refuse relationships because they see themselves as obviously 'better' or something.

I hope this sets the scene a little more . . . .