The apostle teaches that while we should manifest Christian courtesy we are authorized to deal in plain terms with sin and sinners; that this is not inconsistent with true charity. "Whosoever committeth sin," he writes, "transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him." | |
Mesterens efterfølgere kapitel 54. 293. Fra side 555 i den engelske udgave. | tilbage |
Apostlen lærer os, at selv om vi bør udvise kristelig hensynsfuldhed, så har vi ret til at behandle synden og synderne uden omsvøb og at dette ikke er i modstrid med sand kærlighed. "Enhver, der gør synd, begår dermed også lovbrud, ja, synd er lovbrud. Og I ved, at han åbenbaredes, for at han skulle bære synden; og der er ikke synd i ham. Enhver, der bliver i ham, synder ikke; enhver, der synder, har hverken set ham eller kendt ham." |