Originally Posted by: - DRA -
However, if you mean allowing them to stay in sin and accepting them as they are, then the answer is "No." That is not what Paul admonishes the Corinthians to do in the previously cited passage. All of us are sinners (Romans 3:23). No one has the right to continue in sin (Romans 6:1-2). With God's help, and the encouragement of faithful Christians, we should diligently labor together to overcome sin - - not give in to it.
dlamberth said:
Has Paul changed the teachings of Jesus? The reason why I ask is that from my perspective the central message of Jesus Christ is Love, Compassion and the working on ones own sins, not the sins of others.
No, Paul didn't change Jesus' teachings. Paul taught the things that Jesus revealed to him (Galatians 1:11-12).
The apostle Paul taught that we should have the mind that Christ had - - looking out for not only one's own interests, but also looking out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:4-5).
Personally, I think that warning others of the things that are condemned and then showing them the way to overcome those things is in harmony with both Jesus' and Paul's teachings.
Concerning Jesus' teaching (in the context of our discussion) . . .
Jesus definitely emphasized the necessity of examining one's own eye (life) and removing any planks before helping someone else remove a speck from their eye (Matthew 7:1-5). However, once that plank is removed, what is that person then in a position to do (see the latter part of verse 5)? Can't they help someone remove something from their eye? Or, should they just talk about love, compassion, and self-concern while their brother has something in their eye? (Consider also James 2:14-18 about what one should do for another)
Most everyone knows John 3:16 very well . . . "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son" . . . However, very few want to discuss how Jesus spoke to the scribes and Pharisees who repeatedly withstood Him (see Matthew chapter 23). Why not? Didn't Jesus love them? Wasn't He prepared to die on the cross to cover their sins with the rest of the world's? Then, why did He speak to them in the manner that He did and say the things that He said to them? Do you find Jesus promoting love and compassion coupled with a tolerance for sin in that text of Scripture? I sure don't. I see Jesus longing to gather them as a hen does her chicks under her wings, but they were not willing to do that (verse 37).
Should we stone those who sin? Jesus answers
"No" to that question in John 8:2-11. However, I don't believe that we should ignore the last thing he said to the woman that had been brought before Him -
"Go and sin no more."