http://www.faithman.org/11-02/Dont_shoot_the_wounded.htm
Don’t Shoot the Wounded
By Dr. Larry Ollison
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
Over the years I have heard one statement too many times. Just last week I was at a meeting and someone said, “When the church goes to battle, it is the only army that shoots its wounded.” This should never be.
God's plan for the church is rest, recovery and restoration. But all too often we apply this mindset only to those who are currently walking in the things of God. While it is true that Christians should be at rest, recovery and restoration is not solely the benefit of those who are walking in faith.
Many Christians are living outside of God's best. They live their lives daily with stress and pressures and many have hurting hearts. When the pressures come upon these “young in faith” Christians, they do not necessarily react properly. Yes, it is true that a mature Christian who encounters trials in life increases in faith and patience and actually becomes stronger because of the trial. James chapter one, verse two tells us that we should “count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” However, the immature Christian does not necessarily react this way.
I wish that all Christians were mature and knew how to withstand the storms of life. However, this does not mean that the church body should ridicule, condemn or exclude immature Christians who react poorly.
It is time for the mature church to stand up and act mature. We have a responsibility to teach, train and show by example the love of God for each other. Jesus said that the way the world would know that we are Christians is by the love that we have for each other. So the conclusion is this. Love the mature Christians and love and train the immature. Rise above the works of the flesh and walk in love. Be an example not only to the world, but also to the young in the church. Let the reputation be that we comfort and restore our wounded instead of shooting them"
Now for the words to the song:
DON'T SHOOT THE WOUNDED
(by Chuck Girard)
Don't shoot the wounded, they need us more than ever.
They need our love no matter what it is they've done.
Sometimes we just condemn them, and don't take time to hear their story.
Don't shoot the wounded, someday you might be one.
It's easy to love the people who are standing hard and fast.
Pressing on to meet that higher calling.
But the ones who might be struggling, we tend to judge too harshly,
(by Chuck Girard)
Don't shoot the wounded, they need us more than ever.
They need our love no matter what it is they've done.
Sometimes we just condemn them, and don't take time to hear their story.
Don't shoot the wounded, someday you might be one.
It's easy to love the people who are standing hard and fast.
Pressing on to meet that higher calling.
But the ones who might be struggling, we tend to judge too harshly,
and refuse to try and catch them when they're falling.
We put people into boxes and we draw our hard conclusions,
We put people into boxes and we draw our hard conclusions,
and when they do the things we know they should not do,
we sometimes write them off as hopeless, and we throw them to the dogs.
Our compassion and forgiveness sometimes seem in short supply,
we sometimes write them off as hopeless, and we throw them to the dogs.
Our compassion and forgiveness sometimes seem in short supply,
so I say...Don't shoot the wounded!
We can love them and forgive them when their sin does not exceed our own.
We can love them and forgive them when their sin does not exceed our own.
For we too have been down bumpy roads
before but when they commit offenses outside the boundaries we have set,
before but when they commit offenses outside the boundaries we have set,
we judge them in a word and we turn them out,
and we close the door. Myself I've been forgiven for so many awful things.
and we close the door. Myself I've been forgiven for so many awful things.
I've been cleansed and washed and bathed so
many times that when I see a brother who has fallen from the way I just can't find the license to convict him of his crimes.
So I say... Don't shoot the wounded!
That doesn't mean we turn our heads when we see a brother sin and pretend that what he's doing is all right.
But we must help him see his error, we must lead him to repent.
many times that when I see a brother who has fallen from the way I just can't find the license to convict him of his crimes.
So I say... Don't shoot the wounded!
That doesn't mean we turn our heads when we see a brother sin and pretend that what he's doing is all right.
But we must help him see his error, we must lead him to repent.
Cry with those who cry, but bring their deeds into the light .
For it's the sick that need the doctor, and it's the lame that need the crutch.
For it's the sick that need the doctor, and it's the lame that need the crutch.
It's the prodigal who needs the loving hand.
For a man who's in despair, there should be kindness from his friends.
'Lest he should forsake the fear of Almighty God and turn away from God and man,
So I say...Don't shoot the wounded!
1982 Sea of Glass Music/ASCAP
1982 Sea of Glass Music/ASCAP
Bolding mine.
