My last post was sort of snarky in that it was tongue-in-cheek. It was either not read much or people just chose not to comment. (Can I hope for the latter?)
Anyway, I thought I would use a quote I read from Scott Sauls’ book from Weakness to Strength. I highly recommend it especially for anyone in leadership. In a chapter he called Opposition: The Unlikely Pathway to Neighbor Love, Scott used this quote:
We draw people to Christ not by loudly discrediting what they believe, by telling them how wrong they are and how right we are, but by showing them a light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it. Madeline L’Engle
There are some people who see it as their mission in life to tear down other people. I know there is a need for discernment when it comes to cults, false teachers, etc. But I’m not sure there is value in name-calling and “demonizing” someone due to their choice of lifestyle. Please don’t misunderstand me here: I believe the so-called “alternate lifestyle” is sinful, but they are still people. I used to be one of those preachers who said “I tell it like it is and if you don’t like it argue with the Bible not me.” I now realize that was and is the wrong approach.
Scott summed up Madeline’s words with these: “No amount of cultural opposition stopped Jesus from working to change the world through love.” I can’t argue with him.
All that to say this: perhaps instead of being hateful and judgmental toward those who oppose us, maybe we can take the position of lovingly disagreeing while maintaining our Biblical stance. It doesn’t mean I am compromising; it means I am trying to reach people with the message of the love of Jesus with honey instead of vinegar.
What are your thoughts?
I sit down for a few minutes to watch the news and this whole hearing being held on capitol hill is a pure picture of your post. One of the things we do not miss from our past ministries is we are not in leadership. My husband use to come home from some of those meeting overseas looking awful. We, all of us, can be so cruel when our way of doing things are threaten. There are too areas of our lives we will fight for our rights, our children and our money. Touch those two and hell will rise up out of some of the sweetest people. Now, I can ad politic to that, so there is 3 areas.
To quote some of the older than me ladies in my bible study, “come quickly Lord Jesus.” And that Is not a cop out phrase for them, they have earned the right to say it. Good post brother. One can say what is right and say it with love, the women at the well heard love when Jesus said, go and sin no more.
I have no plans to watch any of the hearing. It is something I have no interest in. Sometimes I have to agree with your ladies. Thanks for the comment Betty.
I’m back. I agree the honey approach works much better than the vinegar approach. Glad you figured that out. I for one, and most people I suppose, don’t really care what others think a sin is, or someones views on godly vs. ungodly, or saved vs. unsaved, or someones preoccupation or occupation regarding Myths and Legends.
You’re back for sure but your views have not changed any. Guess I’ll have to keep praying for you. 🙂 I’ve always tended toward the honey approach in these later years as I have realized the shotgun didn’t work.
I love that quote from L’Engle, Bill, precisely because it is so true. We do need to love and pray for those people whose views/lifestyles do not jive with ours. The last thing they need is judgment heaped on them like hot coals. God will be the ultimate judge; it’s our job to shine the love of Jesus.
Blessings!
Amen, Bill. “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” That quote popped into my mind.
It starts with compassion and pride. And that only comes from Above…