What Kind of Christian are You?

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, 2 but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. 3 As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

4 “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

 John 8:1-5

What kind of Christian are you?  Are you a stone thrower ?  Or are you a restorer?

A stone thrower is the kind of Christian who is quick to criticize a fallen brother or sister in Christ.  A stone thrower likes to point out the fault in others, yet is blind to their own sin.  They are highly critical of others and very vocal in their criticism.  A stone thrower is lacking in love, compassion, forgiveness, and mercy for others.  They have no patience with those who stumble.  They have no interest in trying to resolve issues in a Biblical fashion  - out of love for one another. Their motto is shoot and ask questions later.  You can recognize a stone thrower, they are the first ones on the scene with stone in hand .  

In contrast, a restorer is the kind of Christian who comes alongside a fallen brother or sister in Christ.  Instead of criticizing, they confront in love.  They are a willing vessel for Christ's love and compassion.  They understand that "Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends."  Proverbs 17:9 Therefore, they refrain from gossip or passing along 'facts.'  Instead they offer Biblically based help to the offender. They guard their tongues and hearts to ensure their words are used to give life and not death.  A restorer responds Biblically, prayerfully, and out of love.  They follow Biblical guidelines (see Matthew 18:15-17) to steer those who have sinned back to Christ.  Correction and confrontation is born out of love in hopes of restoring the wayward brother or sister.  Rather than jumping to conclusions, a restorer seeks for truth in the situation.  They never prematurely judge others.  They graciously give others the benefit of the doubt.   They understand that sometimes all a person needs is a friend and ally - someone to listen, understand, and talk with. 

We are all supposed to be restorers.  We are to love EVERYONE as Christ does, giving ALL the  the OPPORTUNITY to be restored to Christ and to the Church.  This doesn't mean we overlook sin and those in error.  Nor does it mean we tip toe around sin and it's consequences for those who choose not to repent.  However, we are confront in LOVE with the GOAL to HELP the offender REPENT and be RESTORED.  I am in no way immune from sin, therefore, I should have EVEN MORE compassion for others who struggle.  I should deal with them lovingly - as I would wish to be treated when I am at fault. Christ's love and compassion should our driving force in dealing with everyone.  

Bottom Line:
1.  Because we are sinners, we have no right to throw stones.  Throwing stones of criticism destroys.
2.  Confronting, reproving, correcting, or disciplining others who have committed wrongs should always be done in love - sometimes even calling for tough love.
3.  Ultimately, our goal in confronting others is for their own repentance and restoration to Christ.  In confronting them, the Holy Spirit will work to convict in order to bring about this restoration.  But it is up to each individual on how they will respond.
4.  In all of our dealings with others, we can look to Matthew 18:15-17 on how to deal with confrontation and loving correction within the church.

"They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”    John 8:7

"When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”


“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

John 8:9-11

So, before we engage our tongue to criticize fault in others, let's examine what kind of Christian we wish to be? A stone thrower?  Or a restorer? 
  

Grace and peace, friends!
In His Love, Cathy
PS - I almost dubbed the term stone thrower as 'stoner' but I didn't think that was appropriate!