“But speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ.” Ephesians 4:15.
There is a striking difference between the worldly, secular perspective and the Christian worldview. The world has its own account of what is right and wrong and the Bible sets forth a completely different framework of morals and absolutes. The worldly view and the Biblical view are as different as night is from day.
Many Churches today are becoming confused because they are embracing non-Biblical ideas of love and sin. This is affecting the way the gospel is being presented because some Christians believe that showing “love” and “compassion” toward sinners means we don’t say anything to them about their sin. “Don’t talk about sin, sexuality, unrighteousness or judgment; just talk about Jesus” is a popular belief among many Christians.
Some equate the act of speaking truth, even if done in love, as though we are somehow criticizing, condemning, ridiculing or passing judgment upon others. This view is basically promoting the idea that our Christian responsibility is limited to only listening to people (sinners) give their stories about their marital infidelities, pre-marital indiscretions (fornication), drug use, crimes (stealing), lies and other destructive, immoral behaviors and never saying anything. Some even quote Jesus by saying that He never judged anyone; therefore, we must just quietly love people and never say anything regarding sin.
Does the Bible really support this position? And more importantly, did Jesus embrace this kind of view? Not at all. Notice what Jesus says about judging and judgment.
“And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world” John 12:47.
Notice how Jesus continues to speak of a coming judgment in the very next verse:
“He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” John 12:48.
Jesus loves all sinners. He sat down with them, He ate with them, he listened to them, He spoke words of comfort to them and gave His life for them. BUT He never condoned or excused anyone’s sin. He also spoke truth in love. Look at what Jesus said to certain members of the Jewish church who never spoke “truth” to anyone.
“The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil” John 7:7.
Jesus spoke truth to sinners because He loves them. Jesus warns sinners of a coming judgment so that they could be spared the bitter disappointment that will come in that day.
We need truth. Our society’s existence depends on truth. We don’t need medical professionals telling their patients that everything is OK when they only have one month to live. We don’t need mechanics telling their customers that their vehicles, boats or airplanes are OK when it is obvious that a fuel line is leaking and could result in a fire or explosion. And we don’t need untrustworthy pastors telling people who are living outside of God’s will that everything is OK because God is too merciful to punish sin and disobedience.
As Christians we need to reach out to sinners by demonstrating Christian compassion and love. We are called to help meet the needs of the hurting and downtrodden – while at the same time praying for opportunities in which we can share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must show the world that there is a compassionate Savior who can save all who turn from sin. We serve a living God who can deliver people from bondage to a new life in Christ through faith and repentance. This is always the ultimate objective for believers.
We must take a stand for Bible truth and not sell-out our belief system for a worldly, compromising spirit. This worldly, secular view of love and sin is a recipe for disaster and will result in the destruction of those who promote it and listen to these false misrepresentations of true Christianity.
“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand. So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me” Ezekiel 33:6, 7.
The following is a warning of a coming judgment. Let us stay faithful to the charge that the Lord has given us.
“The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light and who had stood as guardians of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God’s power as in former days. Times have changed. These words strengthen their unbelief, and they say: The Lord will not do good, neither will He do evil. He is too merciful to visit His people in judgment. Thus “Peace and safety” is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs that would not bark are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God” (Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211)
0
0
0