Speaking the Truth in Love

Speaking the Truth in Love
There are some things that do not go together. Bullying and being a Christian do not go together. This is why diversity of life and beliefs exists in Christian based societies. This does not give license or approval to moral corruption. Morality, as presented in the Christian faith, must be maintained in a civil society, through law and order. But when moralists try to impose their personal views (right or wrong) on other people then Christian liberty is violated. When moralists (or amoralists) force or bully others into their own standards it is still a system which oppresses people and robs them of freedom.

It is easy for a person with a strong personality to impose his own ideals on other people. Too often people make profession of faith because they were "bullied" into it. Such a "conversion" is not only hypocritical, it becomes a stumblingblock to that individual and other non believers. Brow beatings and verbal assaults are not evangelistic tools or methods.

Believe it or not, my personality type lends itself to domination and intimidation, but I saw at the outset of my ministry (1960's) that such action was carnal (of the flesh) and therefore not Christian and not acceptable. I chose to let love rule in my relationships and ministry. I did not have to give up my bull-dogmatic commitment to truth or my unswerving devotion to purity and order. But I had to find the spiritual balance. My objective is to present a strong argument for essential truth, but allow others to make a choice, based on the strength of the message rather than the forcefulness of the messenger.

This is the Christian way. Bringing our personality under the Spirit's control is essential for everyone. This is why a present world theocracy is not acceptable. We will not see the kingdom until the King comes back.