Speaking the Truth in Love
[Speaking the
Truth in Love by Mike Gendron Proclaiming the Gospel Ministries] "Have some of
your friends and acquaintances become your enemy because you told them the
truth? This is a common experience for those who faithfully share the Gospel of
God with victims of deception. We need to recognize that the Gospel is offensive
to those who are offensive to God. This is because before anyone can see the
Gospel as "good news" they must first see themselves as guilty sinners under the
condemnation of a holy God. Others may be offended because they have embraced a
works righteousness salvation where they can boast in their religious works. The
Gospel of grace strips people of their own righteousness and calls them to trust
in an alien righteousness (Rom.
5:17;
10:1-4).
The Gospel is also offensive because it declares there is only one way to be
saved and that is through the substitutionary atonement of the Lord Jesus
Christ. No one can be saved until they come to the cross with empty hands of
faith, bringing nothing but their sins. Since we know the Gospel will be
offensive to unbelievers, we must avoid adding to the offense by the way we
present the message. Friendly relationships can be maintained when we share the
Gospel with love, compassion, humility and patience.
The apostle Paul asked the members of the church in Galatia who had succumbed to
the heresy of the Judaizers, "Have I become your enemy by telling you the
truth?" (Gal.
4:16). The Galatians were offended because the
truth exposed the error they had embraced. Paul was concerned that they had been
influenced by the false gospel of the Judaizers and had begun to doubt the truth
of salvation by grace alone (Gal.
5:2-4).
People, who are on the broad "way that seems right to man" will be offended when
we tell them it leads to eternal separation from God (Prov.
14:12). Knowing that the Gospel will be
offensive to religiously proud people, we must speak the truth in love. In the
past I have told friends that I love them so much that I need to share the
greatest news they will ever hear. It is about the greatest gift you could ever
receive. After I am finished, I let them know that what they do with the Gospel
message is between them and God. It is "good news" only if they receive the
gift. If they reject the gift, the "good news" will haunt them throughout all
eternity because they refused God's gracious offer of forgiveness and
reconciliation. Some of those who have rejected the gift still remain my friends
because they know I approached them in the spirit of love. It is tragic when our
loved ones reject the Gospel but "let us not lose heart in doing good, for in
due time we will reap if we do not grow weary" (Gal.
6:9). If you would like to become more faithful
in your obedience to our Lord's great commission
this message
[right click, open] may encourage you. For the Gospel of grace, Mike."
