Shouldn’t you balance your rebukes regarding fornication with love?

Answer:

I am not certain which answer you are referencing, but I am assuming it is one of the many where I had to scold the person for committing fornication.

Sins, including fornication, are never spoken of in a supportive manner. You do not tell the toddler, "Johnny, I know you really want to touch the hot stove, but I think you should reconsider it, but if you insist I'll support you all the way." Nor do you tell a person who is ruining their life and jeopardizing their salvation that you support him harming himself.

Here is how God speaks of fornication:

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" (I Corinthians 6:9-10).

"Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21).

"For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God" (Ephesians 5:5).

"Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4).

"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death" (Revelations 21:8).

Since it is my duty to my fellow man to warn them of the dangers, I speak as God has spoken (I Peter 4:11). I do not leave people with the impression that they can sin and remain acceptable to God. Such would be unloving.

"Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience. For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account" (Hebrews 4:11-13).

A two-edged sword is not a balance used to weigh products. It is a weapon that can hurt. It is common to point out that a two-edged sword must be handled with care because it can cut in both directions. The wielder can be cut just as easily as the one being attacked. But the point being made in this passage is that God's word will lay open people's faults and cut a person to the heart. Only in this manner will a person see their sins and desire a change. "'Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.' Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'" (Acts 2:36-38).