How Can a Pastor Balance Teaching on Sin and Punishment with Grace?

Some pastors and churches develop a reputation for embracing certain favorite topics, perspectives, or attitudes. Unfortunately, the way it most often manifests is when a church gains a reputation for being so focused on sin that people walk away feeling hopeless or legalistic. The other extreme that often causes concern is having such a strong an emphasis on God’s love and grace that they avoid the topic of sin entirely – the very reason people need grace.

The Bible addresses both, painting a clear picture of the evils of sin and its eternal impacts on people, as well as God’s great capacity for love and His unfathomable grace that is available through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. How can a pastor address both? It is important for them to not avoid either topic, focusing on all of God’s word.

One way pastors can make sure they address both topics appropriately is by teaching the Bible exegetically and honestly. If they take the Bible chapter by chapter and verse by verse, they must talk about everything in the Word. When they encounter a topic about sin, they must address it. When they preach on passages that demonstrate God’s love and grace, they have to share.

They must also do so honestly. If a passage is difficult or has a topic they may be inclined to avoid – being harsh about a sin for example – they need to address it with tact and integrity. All other pieces of advice about balancing grace and sin must be addressed in the light of God’s Word. Anytime a pastor begins to stray away from an appropriate exegesis, they are not succeeding at their responsibility of feeding the flock.

Don’t Avoid the Topic of Sin

If Jesus taught on the existence of sin, the nature of it, and the need for repentance, then no pastor should shy away from the topic. In order to be seeker-sensitive, some churches, especially in the west, avoid talking about sin. They can go for months without mentioning the fact that people are fallen, that sin keeps them separated from God, and that even if they are saved, that sin has the power to destroy.

Pastors should make sure they are consistently addressing the topics of sin and the need for repentance. If they avoid it, sinners may not understand their need for conviction, repentance, and salvation. A believer may be struggling with secret sin that is preventing them from going deeper in their relationship with the Lord, or is affecting other people in their lives. There are many reasons that people need to hear about sin. One way to ensure it comes up is to preach exegetically, and if the text addresses sin, then so should the sermon.

“And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:20-23).

“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10).

Don’t Pick and Choose What Sins to Focus On

Some pastors understand they need to talk about sin but will actively avoid discussing certain topics while emphasizing others. One example is gluttony. Many people struggle with over-eating, but the issue rarely comes up as a topic of conversation, let alone the subject of a sermon.

Some churches find it hard to address sexual sin because of the culture within that specific church body, or maybe because of the taboo placed it by their denomination. A pastor may also avoid preaching about sins that are personal to him, but find it easy to harp on sins that affect them less.

Being willing to address sin as it comes up in the Bible, or when it may be relevant due to things going on in the world, the zeitgeist, or in the church body itself, is important, no matter how sensitive the topic. But, it should be handled with love and grace.

Another key fact to remember is that all sin is offensive to God, all sin separates mankind from God, and all sinners must repent, so all sin must be addressed. After the burn of hearing about sin, it must be soothed with the balm for Christ’s love and forgiveness.

“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin’” (John 8:31).

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8).

Every Sermon Is an Opportunity for Someone to Accept Grace and Get Saved

Sermons are opportunities for edification, reproof, and growth. They also allow sinners who may be there to realize their need for Christ. A tradition that some churches are moving away from is an altar call – a moment at the end of the sermon for people to respond to conviction from the Holy Spirit. Gospel presentations usually precede altar calls.

Always having an opportunity to present the Gospel and then having people respond is a way to remind people that the grace and love of God is always there for them. This can be especially true for a pastor who knows they tend to lean more into preaching about sin. Making sure they always present God’s powerful love and give people the opportunity to be saved can help bring balance, as long as the tone is appropriate.

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Be Compassionate to People Struggling with Sin

One of the keys to being a good leader is being able to practice what you preach, as much as possible. A pastor can emphasize the dangers of sin, but when someone comes to them broken-hearted because they are struggling with something, the pastor must show compassion. Show them what the Bible says about forgiveness and the power of Christ’s death on the cross, pray with them.

For pastors who emphasize grace to the extent that their parishioners may have never been confronted with sin, if someone comes to them admitting to a sin but not understanding the seriousness, the pastor needs to be able to confront them with how wrong they are behaving. Christ died because everyone is a sinner, and people should not be allowed to continue on in sin.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 6:4).

Teach On and Facilitate Biblical Reconciliation

Because everyone sins, even people who are saved, there will inevitably be times when people will have to confront each other about sin and seek grace and forgiveness amongst each other. Jesus made it clear there is a process for this, and Paul would reinforce it.

In Matthew 18, Jesus teaches how Christians should address one sinning against another, and in 1 Corinthians Paul addresses how to confront an unrepentant sinner in the church body. Pastors should make sure they educate their flock on these processes, and why they are important. When opportunities arise in the church where reconciliation is appropriate, pastors should embrace and facilitate it, rather than shy away from it.

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:15-16).

“But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one” (1 Corinthians 5:11).

Being a pastor is an enormous responsibility, and the balancing act of how much one should teach about grace verses sin is one of the most important things a pastor must learn to do. It needs to be addressed biblically and reasonably. A pastor cannot avoid one too much, and it must be modelled in their real life as much as they can with the help of the Holy Spirit.

Church members should pray for their pastors so they can find that balance as much as possible. Being grounded in the Bible and having a strong prayer life will be a pastor’s greatest assets as they seek to teach sin and grace appropriately.

Sources

Walvoord, John F. and Roy B. Zuck. The Bible Knowledge Commentary An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Old Testament and New Testament. United States of America: Victor Books, 1987.

Wilmington, H.L. Wilmington’s Guide to the Bible. Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 1981.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Sean Benesh

Bethany Verrett is a freelance writer who uses her passion for God, reading, and writing to glorify God. She and her husband have lived all over the country serving their Lord and Savior in ministry. She has a blog on graceandgrowing.com.