The principle “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16) applies to us, too. Every encounter we have in life is not spelled out in Scripture, but we must display the fruits of wisdom (James 3:17, 18; Matthew 5:9). The wisdom for how to answer every situation is freely given to us by God, if we ask and look for it (James 1:5; Proverbs 8:17). Like Jesus, we are to do good to all (Galatians 6:10), while not bidding “God’s speed” (KJV, II John 10, 11), to those who do not abide in the doctrine of Christ. That is, we are to care for the sinner without condoning sin (Romans 1:32-2:1).
Such is certainly easier to say-or type-than to do. What do we do when a drug addict needs money? What about helping a couple, living in fornication, find a place to sleep? How do we help a bar owner with his mortgage, or a gambler with her gas bill? These calls for help might leave us feeling like there is nothing we can do, but they all have the same answer, Jesus.
Clearly, our perfect example is seen in Jesus, Who ate with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:16). From His conduct, we learn that it is not a sin to be around sinners. In fact, it would be impossible to influence them with the gospel otherwise (I Corinthians 5:9, 10). On earth, Jesus showed that He is gracious and forgiving to sinners. He demonstrated this in John 8, when He told the woman taken in adultery “Neither do I condemn you” (vs 11). He was kind in his dealings with the Samaritan woman, who was a fornicator and a false worshiper (John 4:5-26). Beware, though. We should not understand these examples as condoning sin. In these same instances Jesus told the first woman to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11), and He convicted the second woman of her sins plainly, saying, “you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly,” and, “you worship what you do not know” (John 4:18, 22).
When we are confronted with a difficult situation, how do we decide how to help? Be sure to offer true help. Remember, the same One who fed the five-thousand also told them, “I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled” (John 6:26). While He did heal the sick and feed the hungry, the good He did was not so they would be full and feel better, but so that they might believe He is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in His name (John 20:30, 31). The crowd thought they needed bread, but they really needed the bread of life (John 6:48).
The disciples practiced the same principle. When a lame beggar thought he just needed gold to get through another day, Peter gave him healing that was only possible through Jesus (Acts 3:1-10). When the Athenians just wanted to hear something new, Paul told them the good news (Acts 17:16-34). When a lost soul comes wanting to continue in their condition, we help where we can, without compromising, and we tell them about the way of life (John 14:6).
To truly help any person, we teach them about sin, and show them the way of salvation, through Jesus. When we remove the cross from our caring, we are helping sinners enter oblivion in greater comfort. When we give care by teaching the cross, we can offer aid to everyone, though it may not be the help they wanted. It is the help they need.
Van Sprague, a servant with the church of Christ in Berkeley Springs, WV