The Bible said that many false prophets would arise and lead many astray. Today we know this to be true as there is no shortage of false teachers in our world. Every day they lead people further into sin and away from God. For many Christians, such people would be seen as the greatest sinners in existence. As they work in direct opposition to God. But like anyone else these people are eligible for salvation. So how do we respond when we the greatest of sinners are converted?
You see we have to believe that no one is too far gone to be saved because that is the very message our Bible teaches. It does not matter what anyone has done, God is willing to forgive them if they turn to Him in true repentance. Just as He forgave each of us for the sins we committed.
1 John 1:9 (ESV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2:2 (ESV)
2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
There is not a better example of this than with the apostle Paul. I believe during the early part of his life he could be described as a false teacher. As he did everything in his power to turn Jewish men and women away from Christianity. He even referred to himself as the chief among sinners. In his eyes, he was the greatest sinner. Yet he was still converted and God forgave him for all he had done. He went on to be used greatly by God and to spend the rest of his life advancing the Gospel.
Acts 22:4 (ESV)
4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women,
Acts 26:9–11 (ESV)
9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
So Paul’s life shows us that even those seen as the greatest sinners can be converted. That they too can be saved. But that is not all we are able to learn through the life of Paul. It is in his life that we also see how the church should respond when great sinners are converted. In His letter to the Galatian church, Paul tells of how the church in Judea responded when they heard of his conversation.
Galatians 1:22–24 (ESV)
22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
They did not talk about him behind his back. Nor did they say he could not come to speak at their meeting. They didn’t look at him with questioning eyes wondering when he would turn back to his own ways. No, the Bible simply tells us that they glorified God because of him. An act that made such an impact on Paul that he would remember vividly years later and even tell others about it.
Those that we see as the greatest sinners can be converted and there will be many who are. When we see that happen it is important that we respond in the right way. That we do not condemn them or question if they are truly saved. Those who lived the most sinful lives will have enough to battle on their walk with God already. They do not also need to battle with receiving the acceptance of the church as well.
The church needs to respond as the first church did. We need to praise God that they have changed and received salvation. Meeting them with love and compassion as to help them on their walk with God. Leaving a good and Godly impression that will last for years to come. One that aligns with the very teaching of scripture for Christians to be loving, kind, patient, and gentle. Treating them in the same way we would want to be treated and how we hope the lost we love will be treated when they turn to God.
Galatians 5:22 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Ephesians 4:1–2 (ESV)
1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
When the greatest sinner is converted and comes out showing remorse for their past actions. When they begin to proclaim the truth of the gospel and show by their actions that their life has been changed. The church should be thrilled. We should be the first to rejoice. Praising the Lord for the mighty work He did in that person’s life.
Doing so will only be a great help and blessing to the individual in question. Helping them to stay strong and on the right path living for God. Our acceptance of them could be what keeps them from turning back to sin. So let’s do what’s right and meet everyone who is converted with God’s love. All the while glorifying God because of them.
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