Truth and Love

Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, demonstrating all gentleness to all men.

Titus 3:1-2

How should a believer respond when we are confronted with those that disagree with our beliefs or who are even openly hostile to our walk with Christ? Paul addressed this in his letter to Titus. The apostle did not call for believers to exercise civil disobedience to protest the Roman Empire's unjust laws or cruel punishments. Instead, his appeal was for Christians to proclaim the gospel and live lives that would give clear evidence of its transforming power. People do not come to Christ because we protest or scream slogans. They come to Christ because the Holy Spirit draws them. If we live lives that are contradictory to the gospel, if we act like the world, how will we be able to share the love of Christ with those who need to hear? John MacArthur writes, “Believe it or not, Christians have obligations to a pagan society. When you live as God wants you to in an unbelieving culture, the Holy Spirit uses your life to draw the sinner by softening his attitude toward God (cf. 1 Peter 2:12).”

My heart was heavy as I was reading some blogs on the issue of homosexuals being denied service at places like the bakeries in Colorado and Oregon. My issue was not with the Christian baker’s position but with the hateful responses by so called Christians. Some of the responses were angry, vile, hateful, and even evil. One gay man could not comprehend how those who claim to follow Christ would speak so much hatred. He finished his comments by saying Jesus wept. I responded to the man by writing, “Jesus wept because of death. That death was brought on by sin against God. I am a heterosexual man who is married but if I choose to have sexual relations with another women that is not just a choice but a sin against God. Fornication, adultery, and homosexuality and any form of sexual immorality is sin against a holy God.” (1 Corinthians 6: 9-11) 

One of our members during the men’s bible study two weeks ago asked the rhetorical question wondering if these same folks who are denying baking wedding cakes for homosexuals are also denying making baby shower cakes for unmarried women. My prayer is that when people come into contact with the members of Grace Harvest we will be obedient and consistent to Paul’s instruction, "Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to be peaceable, considerate, demonstrating all gentleness to all men.” For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. As believers we need to respond with truth and love. There is no truth without love and no love without truth.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark