Introduction: After being born again by the power of God, a new believer has difficulty drawing the line between witnessing to sinners (the lost) without compromising with their sin, especially if it is a family member. Or another challenge is for the new CHRISTian who desires others to be saved and forgiven, to not come across as a self-righteous Pharisee.

How do we keep the balance?

1. Remember what Paul wrote to the Corinthians.

“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” (1Cor 6:9,10,11)

Bottom line: Don’t forget where Jesus has brought you (me) from and brought you (me) to!

2. Remember what Jude wrote while debunking false teachers.

“And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 1:22,23)

If we could only have this attitude in reaching those without a relationship with Jesus Christ, it would make more of a difference.

3. Remember what Jesus said.

“1Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” (Matt 7:1-5)

This verse is perhaps the most misunderstood verse in all the Bible. A closer investigation reveals that Jesus is saying 1st….we are to judge ours selves! Then, we are in a better position to lovingly and gently get the “splinter” out of our brother’s eye….only after we take the “2×4” out of our eye.

4. Remember where you once were.

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:1-7)

Bottom line: From Root to Fruit, it is all by God’s GRACE!

Conclusion: Going over this checklist will help ensure every CHRISTian to LOVE sinners and share JESUS without being a Pharisee or without compromising with the sinner’s sin…to Him be GLORY.