Love and Hate.
Two words that seem to be at odds with each other. And I guess it reality they are. We are real good at saying the two don’t coincide. Take our current culture, for example, in regards to sharing truth. People see them as incapable of cohabiting with each other. In some minds, if you tell the truth then you must do it with sternness, without an ounce of empathy or sympathy. On the other hand, there are those who eschew any talk of truth because, after all, “my truth is the only truth that matters.” Both are wrong approaches.
To share the truth of the Gospel is not bias or hatred; it is actually love. Why would we not want to share the greatest truth in all the world-“God love you and gave His Son for you”? However, and here is the rub, that truth must still be given in love. How appealing is it to tell someone they are loved by a gracious God while having a stern or judgmental attitude? Answer: not.
On the other side of the coin is the one who refuses to tell the truth about sin because either they are afraid of offending someone, or “all sin is equal so what gives me the right to tell someone that what they are doing is wrong?”
Go back to my original 3 words. Love and Hate. They don’t coexist. They can’t coexist. Unless you hate sin so much and love someone even more to have a dialogue with them. What we often fail to remember is love compels us to speak up. When my girls were growing up, Jo and I had “rules” in the house. Break the rules and face the consequences. We didn’t allow screaming and yelling or name-calling or disobedience. There were consequences to that type of action. We did it, not because we were vengeful, but because we loved. Our goal as parents was to raise young girls to become responsible and godly young woman. Were we successful? They can tell you. 🙂
Truth must be shared…but in love. Not hate. Not with belligerence. Even the woman caught in adultery was forgiven by Jesus, but also told, “Go and sin no more.” Jesus did not excuse her sin as though it didn’t exist. Forgiven but live differently.
Sounds like good advice for me and the world we live in.
I totally agree, Bill. Love is sharing the truth. We just had a discussion in Bible study about making your children come to church. Some thought to require their teens to go would just turn them away from God and not give them a choice. Several others of us felt that to allow them to decide for themselves is taking away opportunities for them to be saved. “How can they believe if they have not heard?” (Romans 10:14)
I’m sure you found when active in the ministry that was a tough call for parents. I understand the sentiment but i always told them that as long as they were under my roof they would go. Just like dating.
You are absolutely correct here, Bill. All our motivation to correct someone or in disciplining children should be done in the love that has been shown to us through Jesus. Anything less falls flat. Great thoughts to start my day! Blessings!
Thanks Martha. I’m glad I could help your day start out well.
Absolutely true Bill. Sometimes I think its best to go by the rule, less is more on your first attempt to tell someone about the Lord. Get the key points in and stop, let those words soak in, and then follow up later. Of course live by example and be ready to answer hard questions, that will follow. Bringing someone to Christ is not a drop and run, its words of love that a time will dictate how much time is needed.
Several things to comment on Gail. First, do speak up. You are correct. Don’t overwhelm. Some need time to digest information. Live a life of commitment to Jesus whether you are being watched or not. And always use words of love.