Prologue in Sermons: September 23

On How Best to Act for One Who Wishes to Convert a Sinner From the Error of His Ways

September 23*

(On How Not to Condemn, But to Have Mercy on Sinners)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

One of the works of spiritual mercy is to convert a sinner from the error of his way. This is a great and saving work for us. The Apostle James says: "Brethren, if anyone among you errs from the way of truth, and someone converts him, let him know that he who converts a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20). But, although great in the eyes of God and saving for us, this work, unfortunately, falls short of its goal for many of us. Thus, we see many who undertake to convert sinners to the path of truth, but few actually convert them; many undertake to teach them goodness, but few actually learn it; many, finally, even exert all their strength to divert those who have strayed from sin, but for very few who make the effort, their efforts are crowned with success. Why is this so? Because many begin this work in the wrong place, conduct it in the wrong way, and approach sinners from the wrong angle. For the work of converting sinners to be salvific for them and beneficial for us, those who convert must first learn where to begin, then how to conduct it, and what attitude to adopt in relation to sinners. And only then, undoubtedly, will the work of converting them to the path of truth be salvific for them and beneficial for us. But you will, of course, ask: from whom should we learn, and how should we teach sinners? We answer: from whomever you wish - from the Lord Jesus Christ, or from His Saints.

Here, for example, is the first lesson from the Lord: Once the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery, and setting her in the midst, they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery! Now Moses in the law gave us a commandment to stone such people. What say You?” Now they said this tempting Him, that they might find something to accuse Him of. But Jesus, stooping down, wrote on the ground with His finger, paying no attention to them. When they continued asking Him, He lifted up His face and said to them, “He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone.” And again, stooping down, He wrote on the ground. But when they heard this, and being convicted by their own conscience, they went away one by one, beginning from the eldest even to the last; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. Jesus, lifting up His face and seeing no one but the woman, said to her, “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you?” She answered, "No one, Lord!" Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you. Go, and sin no more" (John 8:3-11). So, here is the first lesson from the Lord for you who wish to convert sinners from the error of their ways. And what does this lesson show you? It shows you, first of all, that if you wish your work to be useful, you must treat sinners meekly, mercifully, and kindly; not aggravate their sinful wounds, but pour upon them the balm of mercy; not be harsh in your condemnation of their sinful deeds, but look upon them as spiritually sick, and therefore become, in relation to them, compassionate physicians.

Let us now take a lesson from the Saints. They say this about themselves: “Truly, no one hates sin as the Saints do. Yet they do not hate those who sin, nor do they drive them away; rather, they show compassion for them, teach them, and console them. And just as a wise physician, in order to more easily cure an illness, first tries in every way to calm the patient, and just as a fisherman, in order not to lose the fish that has snagged his line, draws it to himself with the utmost caution, so the Saints, with patience and love, strive to correct the sinner, and, in order to achieve his correction, do not leave him, do not reproach him, do not disdain him, but offer him every possible intercession and protection. And in order to quickly bring him to the love of Christ, they strive to hide his misdeeds from others and forbid others to rebuke him” (Prologue, September 9). Well, here is a lesson for you from the Saints, and, as you see, this one gives you the same instructions as the above lesson from the Lord.

Therefore, we repeat, if you want the work of converting sinners to the path of truth to be both beneficial for them and salutary for you, then first of all, strive to study this matter yourself. This study, as you can see from the examples given, should consist of accustoming yourself to address sinners not with harsh words of rebuke, but in the spirit of the Gospel's meekness; arming yourself with patience beforehand; kindling in your souls a spirit of love and compassion for the lost; remembering that you are not their judges, but their physicians; and that, finally, meekness, love, mercy, and patience are the best, and perhaps even the only, means that can serve for the salvation of perishing sinners. Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

Notes:

* In the original text, there is no entry for September 23nd. There this is the second entry for September 9th.