It is a challenge of mine to walk this line between discerning and critical. Especially, in this post-modern era, where words don't mean what they mean.
For example,
Are you a Christian?
Yes, I am a Catholic.
Yes, I go to church.
Yes, I adhere to certain parts of the Christian faith.
Yes, I am a gay Christian.
Yes, I am Hindu/Christian.
Well, no... you aren't Christian. (Rom 6:23; Eph 2:8-10; Rom 1; John 14:15, 21; 1 John 2:4; 1 Cor 6:9-10; Acts 4:12; John 14:6)
Speaking up against such follies will reward you with a "you're so judgmental" card. And truth be told, I have received it more often from professing Christians. The Christians are the most frustrating. For the things we struggle with most are pretty clear. It is just hard to implement. So what do we do? Toss it out. We rationalize. We claim that God couldn't have possibly meant that from His Word. It is too hard, too lofty of a goal to attain. The interpretation must be something else! It must be cultural! It cannot apply today!
Then we build consensus! We seek other weak-minded, weak-willed Christians to agree and affirm that this is what the Scripture actually says. We demonize anyone who disagrees with us. Peer pressure is an amazing thing.
On the other hand, to remain silent, to fail to act... is that not worse? Would we not want to be like Paul who was unashamed of the gospel (Rom 1:16)? Do we take lightly the words of Jesus when He said that those who confess Him before men, He will confess before the Father? Those who deny Him, He will deny before His Father (Matt 10:32-33)?
What do you fear? Should not the fear of God be so much more apparent, so much more instilled in you? We are taught to fear cars when crossing the street. We are taught to not touch the stove. We fear rejection. We fear alienation. We fear poverty. We fear violence. Is there no end to your fears? Should you not fear a God who can destroy not just the body, but the soul? (Matt 10:28)
You see, the sin in us....it clouds our view. It causes us to conjure our own god. A god who is love, who will forgive us endlessly even if we demonstrate no fruit, make no change for purity. One who doesn't condemn anyone to hell, nor puts any "harsh restrictions in our life". The question is will this god save?
Will a harsh legalistic approach to the Word save? (Gal 3:3)
Will a synthesis of Christianity and new-age enlightenment save? (1 Tim 2:5)
Will a fruitless Christianity save? (John 15)
This sin in us obscures the one thing that matters: Jesus Christ. Our sin fell on Him, and we are reconciled to God through His death and resurrection. (Is 53:5; 2 Cor 5:21) We are no longer enemies of God, but are His adopted children. (Eph 2:3; Rom 5:10, Rom 8:14). And this peace is achieved through Jesus Christ alone (Rom 5:1)
We do not need to fear in the sense of fearing judgment for there is no judgment for those in Christ (Rom 8:1). A healthy awe-filled fear is good, though (Is 6). Christians who follow after Christ use Him as their perfect example (1 Pet 2:21,22; Heb 4:14-16). He is pleased to do the will of the Father (Jn 8:29). And without Jesus Christ, we cannot please God (Rom 8:8).
This was originally a post to distinguish when we have crossed from discerning to critical: to determine when one should speak or act and when one should remain silent. And I think there are times where it is prudent to remain silent (Matt 7:6). I think far more often then not, we fail to speak. So let this be an admonishment to speak and act in a way that glorifies Christ!
Do we have not a duty to our Christian brothers who continue in sin (Gal 6:1)? Shall we not call them to repentance, and to turn from their sin? (1 John 1:9) And if they continue in their sin, follow the Scriptures so that if God wills He be saved in the day of judgment (Matt 18; 1 Cor 5:5)? Do we mark ourselves as disciples of Christ with our love for one another (Jn 13:35)? Do we preach the gospel to one another, holding fast in the faith? (Col 3:16; Heb 10:23-24)
Have you been obedient to the commandment of Christ to preach to your non-Christian friends (Mk 16:15)? Even those who profess faith in Jesus Christ may be unsaved! As I have mentioned earlier, the word Christian is so diluted. It can be so far from the truth! It is not love to let people continue living their lives with a false gospel or no gospel. You are not doing them any favours. Your resolve to harmony and not rocking the boat or upsetting the friendship betrays your allegiance to Christ.
You see, friends... I do not want to be disqualified from this race. I do not want any of us to stand before the judgment seat of Christ proclaiming their works for Christ and to have him speak, "Depart from me, I never knew you..." (Matt 7:21-23).
How silly it is to worry about offending someone when there are eternal matters at stake! So let us make it our desire to know one thing: Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2) and to present this account in gentleness and reverence that even our opponents are ashamed (1 Pet 3:15,16).
