Preacher's Attitude Toward Those Whom He Condemns

How did John the Baptist refer to those who came to his baptism? "When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" (Mt. 3:7; cf. Lk. 3:7).

How did Jesus deal with those with whom He came in contact? In cases where people were humble, seeking to be obedient, Jesus was gentle with them, as in John 8:1-11 and John 4:1-26. When Peter rebuked Jesus, Jesus rebuke him saying, "Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Jesus rebuked Peter in front of the other apostles. When people were self-righteous Jesus said, "But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!" (Mt. 23:13). In Revelation 2:20, Jesus called a woman in the church at Thyatira, Jezebel.

How did the apostles and inspired writers deal with those who sinned? When a man and his wife lied to the Holy Spirit, Luke recorded their names: Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11). He also identified the Athenians as those who just liked to hear or tell some new thing (Acts 17:21). Paul identified Demas as one who had forsaken him (II Tim. 4:10) and "...Jannes and Jambres..." who "...withstood Moses....." (II Tim. 3:8). Further, Paul identified "Alexander the coppersmith..." and warned Timothy to "...be thou ware also...." (II Tim 4:14,15).

What attitude did John the Baptist, Jesus, the apostles, and inspired writers have toward those whom they identified and condemned? Since Jesus never sinned (I Pet. 2:22), we know He loved and respected the soul whom he identified and condemned. Also, we know Jesus desired the salvation of all men (Lk. 19:10). In Galatians, Paul condemned them for being "...removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel..." (Gal. 1:6). Did Paul hate them or was he mean to them? No, for he later said, "Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?" (Gal 4:16; cf. II Tm 2:10).

To the Ephesians, Paul wrote, "But speaking the truth in love..." (Eph. 4:15). Why did Paul speak and write the truth even when men did not like it? He loved God, he loved the truth, he loved the soul of the sinner, he loved his own soul. That is speaking the truth in love.