I don’t know about you but I’m tired of Christians being bashed. Often it is done by some pseudo-intellectual who is in reality a Godless ignoramus with morals akin to a junkyard cur and a mouth as filthy as the garbage spilling over into a nasty New York City street.
Jesus Christ, His church, His Holy Bible, and everything we hold dear is under constant relentless attack and the 70% majority of those who claim to be Christians meekly hide in their closet fearful that someone might discover that they follow Jesus.
The adverse impact of “political correctness” on American culture should not be underestimated. Its dark influence has been immense and has rewritten American values, (literally driving the population farther away from its Christian foundation, and redirecting civilization toward hedonism, socialism, atheism, agnosticism, humanism, and a host of other anti-Christian philosophies that are killing our society).
It is ironic that those who express their disdain for anyone saying anything bad about their particular sin does not hesitate to bash the ones they accuse of engaging in bashing, and make no mistake they do so publicly. The LGBT community is infamous for this and they boldly and openly express to others (people who have no real connection to the matter) their rejection of and dislike for specific persons and groups who have had in their estimation the unmitigated gall to express disapproval of an immoral action, false doctrine, or anything else they choose to bash.
When we turn to the Bible, we find that God desires that Christians: “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you”. Christians are to let their “speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt”, “speaking the truth in love”, “in a spirit of gentleness” , “in humility correcting those who are in opposition”, “having compassion for one another”. Christians are to love everyone – even their enemies. They are to treat others the way they themselves desire to be treated. If such is the case, does it not logically follow that we should refrain from speaking against purveyors of religious or moral error, since doing so would be unkind, malicious, and certainly not something we would want done to us? The biblical answer to that question is an unequivocal “no.”
To interpret the above verses in such a manner would result in a conclusion that is diametrically opposed to a host of other verses. As Bible students we must make certain that our understanding of one passage or concept does not conflict with other passages and principles. It is true that those who hold the truth on a particular doctrine can be guilty of mistreating and being unkind to those who embrace error; but it does not follow that the mere act of identifying error publicly is inherently unkind, insensitive, or intolerant. I don’t have time to list these verses in their entirety, but if you feel froggy, read them and you will see example after example whereby believers are called to speak out publically against dark forces: Numbers 16:25; Duet. 13; Joshua 7; 1 Kings 18; Psalms 7,35,55,58,59,69; Matt. 23; John 2; Acts 5, 18; 1 Cor. 5; Gal. 6; 1 Tim.1,2,3,5; Titus 1.
The above instances, and a host just like them, demonstrate that part of the nature of God is to address fatal error openly and publicly. God is perfect, unable to sin, and the very essence of love and in His word He pointedly endorses naming specific people and groups who violate His laws.. Hence, the “politically correct” segment of society, including religious liberals, are simply misguided by the erroneous claim to be more loving and understanding than God and everyone else.
Indeed, the Bible itself records the sinful actions committed by hundreds of individuals throughout the centuries. The Christian who condemns public confrontation of error, while reading and accepting the Bible, defies logic.
The issue, then, is not whether error and misbehavior should be identified publicly, but rather how it is identified. What manner and with what spirit and attitude should we speak out? First we must understand that God loves the sinner but hates the sinner’s sin (Romans 12:9; Jude 22-23). But this love cannot necessarily be seen in the outward acts that God manifests in dealing with false religion and immorality, since many of His confrontations throughout Bible history have appeared on the surface, (particularly to the unspiritual mindset), to be extremely harsh. This is not much different than a child denied a dangerous toy feeling it was dealt with harshly by its loving parent.
I suppose that in the end that if Christians are to stop the downward spiral and destruction of the way we worship we must be unashamed and not embarrassed to be a Christian and to boldly and publically let others know that we are not only Christians we are proud to be counted as such.
Two cautionary considerations: First, there are those who claim to be Christian who have a reputation for conducting themselves like rabid dogs that bite, tear apart, and devour those who disagree with them (Galatians 5:15). They resort to unchristian behavior and tactics under the guise that they are defending the faith, (Westboro Baptist Church). I don’t advocate this wicked behavior; however in our haste to refrain from being like them, we must not allow ourselves to go to the other extreme and fail to oppose that which God expects to be publicly opposed.
Second, we should keep in mind that not every difference of opinion on a particular matter merits public confrontation. In fact, sadly, much ungodly, unnecessary division has been imposed upon society, doing untold damage to the cause of Christ, unity, and the tranquility of the church, by those who relish contention, strife, and wrangling with others on matters of opinion. Christians are permitted by God to hold differing opinions on a host of matters that have no eternal consequence, and that do not affect a person’s spiritual standing before God. Christians must grow to the point that they are able to distinguish between matters of option and matters of obligation, and make certain that any public disturbances are necessitated by the latter, not the former.
Have a great weekend and go to Honey Lake Church (or somewhere) this Sunday. I’ll be stepping in for Kenny Munds and preaching this Sunday on a subject that you might find very interesting.
Phil. 1:20
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
May 15, 2015 – Click here to listen