Persuasion by
Love
We must not
correct the stumbling of others
"Christians,
above all men, are forbidden to correct the stumbling of sinners by force...it
is necessary to make a man better not by force but by persuasion. God gives the
crown to those who are kept from evil, not by force, but by choice (Saint John
Chrysostom)."
The use of
force in the correction of those who are living in opposition to the laws of
God is often a temptation for Christians, yet it must be remembered that the
sins of others is better corrected by lovingly demonstrating their value in
God's eyes.
Demonstrating
our own love for them by refusing to demonize them with our judgment and harsh
treatment, we become agents of the love of Christ. In seeing ourselves as the
worst of sinners, and demonstrating our personal gratitude for God's love and
mercy in our own lives, projects that hope of redemption, and forgiveness, to
the persons living in sin. Our love for them helps open their hearts to the
action of the Holy Spirit. God's grace can change any heart, and we must be
sure we are not the stumbling block for that change by harboring a judgmental
tone.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
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