"If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ~Jesus (John 8:31-32)
I'd like to encourage you all to not be afraid to speak the truth and to share God's truths with others no matter what they may think of you. Aim to please God, rather than people. People may laugh at us, ridicule us, make fun of us, ignore us, get upset at us, get offended, get annoyed, etc. And one of the most common accusations (even from some fellow Christians) is that we're being judgmental. "Do not judge" is probably one of the most misunderstood phrases in the Bible. You can read more about this issue on my blog at http://bornagainandblessed.blogspot.com/2013/02/do-not-judgereally.html . We're commanded to confront, rebuke, correct, and lovingly redirect those who violate God's law (Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 20:30-31; Titus 1:10-16). However, the rebukes should never consist of badmouthing/slandering but should be done with motives meant to restore that person.
Remember, God already judges what's acceptable or not in His eyes. "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, and put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." (Isaiah 5:20) Speak the truth in love and with grace, respect, and gentleness but by all means, speak God's truth! Don't ever sacrifice the truth on the altar of "grace", political correctness, or fear of being labeled "judgmental" or narrow-minded. Don't dilute the Gospel and/or minimize the seriousness of sin (our need for repentance...our need for a Savior!). The ultimate Judge is God and doing what's right in His eyes is more important than what people think about us.
Truth redeems. Truth transforms. Truth perseveres. Truth makes us free.
Let's be like Christ, full of grace and truth (John 1:14b)!
I'd like to encourage you all to not be afraid to speak the truth and to share God's truths with others no matter what they may think of you. Aim to please God, rather than people. People may laugh at us, ridicule us, make fun of us, ignore us, get upset at us, get offended, get annoyed, etc. And one of the most common accusations (even from some fellow Christians) is that we're being judgmental. "Do not judge" is probably one of the most misunderstood phrases in the Bible. You can read more about this issue on my blog at http://bornagainandblessed.blogspot.com/2013/02/do-not-judgereally.html . We're commanded to confront, rebuke, correct, and lovingly redirect those who violate God's law (Matthew 18:15-17; Acts 20:30-31; Titus 1:10-16). However, the rebukes should never consist of badmouthing/slandering but should be done with motives meant to restore that person.
Remember, God already judges what's acceptable or not in His eyes. "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, and put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." (Isaiah 5:20) Speak the truth in love and with grace, respect, and gentleness but by all means, speak God's truth! Don't ever sacrifice the truth on the altar of "grace", political correctness, or fear of being labeled "judgmental" or narrow-minded. Don't dilute the Gospel and/or minimize the seriousness of sin (our need for repentance...our need for a Savior!). The ultimate Judge is God and doing what's right in His eyes is more important than what people think about us.
Truth redeems. Truth transforms. Truth perseveres. Truth makes us free.
Let's be like Christ, full of grace and truth (John 1:14b)!