How much responsibility do I have for correcting doctrinal error in the Christians that I come in contact with in my life?

I really would like to say that I don’t have any responsibility at all. I’d like to say this because most Christians are very married to their various church doctrines and tend to get somewhat offended if I try to show them the error of their sacred cows

I’d like to say that. But I can’t. Paul is very clear here that if I am presented with a situation that is taking away the victory of another Christian, I have a responsibility to gently take some time to show them the error of their belief system that is causing them to be defeated.

Most people who will read this passage will interpret the word, “trespass,” as a willful sin. Something overt and terrible, such as adultery, gluttony, or selfishness. And these are certainly included in this word.

But this word contains much more than a willful transgression of overt sin. It also includes any unintentional errors. The word means “a lapse or deviation from the truth.”

Now do I meet Christians who are being defeated by sinful activity? Of course. And I have a responsibility to gently correct them and show them their error from the Scriptures if I can.

But far more frequently, I am meeting Christians who are being defeated because of their lapse or deviation from the truth. They are sick, poor, depressed, anxious, or even dying because they are believing a doctrinal error that their religious background has taught them.

This passage is letting me know that I have a responsibility to sow some truth into their lives. But the key tactic here is to do it in gentleness. If I ever morph into harshness or anger, I am no longer fulfilling what Paul refers to as the “law of Christ.”

And so when I come in contact with a sick Christian, I have a responsibility to offer them teaching about what God’s Word says about healing. And if I am doing this in gentleness and love, I am helping them to bear their burden.

But Christ never forces truth on anyone, and so the law of Christ compels me to allow people to remain in their error if they so choose. There is a fine balance here.

Christ desires that His people are healthy and walking in victory. But He never forces His victory on anyone.

But because He wants His people walking in victory, He is giving His people who ARE walking in victory a responsibility to help those who are not walking in victory.

This passage is not written to pastors or church leaders. It is written to every victorious Christian. The victorious Christians who are out in the marketplace every day and constantly coming in contact with people who are not walking in victory.

That person who is struggling with allergies, suffering with a headache, or being treated for a condition that might be fatal? If they come across my path I have a responsibility to try to help them by teaching them the truth.

Is this risky? Will some people get angry at me for showing them a truth that may contradict their religious sacred cow? Yes.

But some of them will accept your help and be restored. And the law of Christ is all about restoration. Restoring a person’s relationship with Christ and removing the deviation of the truth that is taking away their victory.

There is nothing more exciting than watching a person suddenly understand their way to a victorious life is simply to move beyond their erroneous belief that was killing them.

Bottom line: I have the responsibility to help every Christian I come in contact with to correct the errors that are defeating them. I cannot ignore this responsibility and claim to love them.

EVERY CHRISTIAN IS IN MINISTRY!  Especially the mature ones.