True Love

A Christian "who is distinctively formed by the gospel, and functions to spread that gospel in word and deed, will be both attractive and offensive." Tim Brister

The gospel that transforms us also exposes our idols and sins. It confronts the futility of life alienated from God and obedience to His word. I once read an article by Casey Hough which explains how the act of warning others "is a demonstration of familial love." It should not be a rant laden with guilt, condemnation and half-taken scripture flung in the face of those we feel are somehow not living up to God's standards. If we know that a particular action or practice is harmful (whether to the body, soul or spirit) the most irresponsible and unloving thing we could do is fail to warn others about it. This rings especially true for those we hold so close to our hearts. An example of this in modern day society is the outcry that came against tobacco companies (and now those in the vaping arena) for not warning users of the products potential to cause cancer. The world screams out "they should be punished for not saying anything" but yet this same world condemns those Christians who speak out against sin and warn of it's consequences.

I'm reminded of a popular Christian artist and her comments regarding one particular contentious area of the Bible. When she expressed her confusion and uncertainty over the matter I saw the broken hearts of many. When she said she wasn't God so she couldn't judge others I saw where she was coming from. Could she, should she, have handled the question differently? Maybe. Maybe not. Perhaps she was thinking of those she deeply loved who are living life contrary to God's word and the fact that this goes against everything we've been taught from the Bible. If you don't have friends or family who are touched by the confusion sin so often produces you don't understand how heart-wrenching it is for many of us. Sin is sin and, may I always remember, Jesus reprimanded the religious right along with the adulteress in the gospels. His goal was to open their eyes to the sin each of them held in their hearts, call them to repentance and for every one of them to "go and sin no more". Some just recognized their sin sooner that others. Paul, following the example of Christ, calls out all sinners as well. In his letter to the church in Rome and later Corinth he lumps all sin, from gossip and lying to stealing and adultery, into one big cauldron of death.

I believe I will one day stand before God and give an account of how I've presented the gospel; not just the good news of God's grace and mercy but also the fact that obedience to that gospel is evidence of His grace and mercy. I do not want Him asking of me why I did nothing to uncover the deception of those who peddle lies for profit. I don't want to be standing at the entrance of heaven while those who's lives have intersected with mine are unable to enter partly because I failed to present all of the gospel for fear of rejection. I certainly don't want to have those I deeply love choose that fate because of my fear of offending them and neither do I want my offending them with harsh or condescending words be their excuse.

I believe our time is short but even if Christ should not return for another hundred years none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. Keeping that in mind my goal moving forward is to present the gospel of love and truth at every opportunity given me, believing that those who honestly seek for it will take that gospel to heart and know Gods deep calling for them to join Him in eternity. My prayer is that each of us will search our hearts in humility and repentance, allowing God to help us make the decision to live by His word daily until we can leave this world and all of it's baggage behind us forever. Are you curious about why I hold these convictions? Begin by reading Romans chapter 1 and 1 Corinthians chapter 6. Keep in mind while reading these scriptures that Paul was writing to those in the churches not those on the streets!

May the taunts of the enemy be silenced and your spirit be blessed to truly hear God's call to you today my friend.

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