I used to be the one on the wall searching for things to warn others about, people to warn others about. But as my vision of Jesus went from blurry to clear, my understanding of what love looks like lived out did the same. I can’t say I always walk in perfect love perfectly, but I’m trying.
Here are five reasons why I won’t publicly admonish, correct, or condemn others.
1. Our opinion of what’s weird isn’t the quintessential truth. And it doesn’t determine the difference between good and evil
I’ve used this quote often but stay with me while I give it another go.
“You can’t judge what’s of God and what’s not by it’s level of weirdness.” –Michael Van Vlymen from his book, Angelic Visitations and Supernatural Encounters
Elisha made an axe head float by throwing a piece of wood into the water (2 Kings 6). A donkey spoke to Balaam (Num. 22). The sun didn’t set (Joshua 10). There’s weird stuff in the bible. Much more so than the few examples I’ve mentioned and I think these biblical examples are more sensational than many of the things we end up publically condemning each other for. Point is, I don’t think many of us would call these things found in the bible evil even if we agree they’re weird.
If we are growing and maturing with Jesus there will most likely be things we thought were weird that we now consider to be normal. Many things that have made that transition in my life. The revelation’s usually followed by, Oh, I think so and so was right.
Many of us have our identities wound so tightly into our beliefs that questioning them feels like dying. For them, what is believed must be fact or they don’t know who they are. The world begins to crumble around them and instability reigns. They become desperate to restore order so the voice that offers a different way of understanding becomes the enemy.
But here’s the thing, our beliefs are really just our opinions. Not fact, just conviction. We would do good to remember this when trying to relate to others with their own opinions.
2. We might be wrong
Like I said, if we are growing with Jesus there should be things we thought were bonkers that are normal to us now. And trust me, there is someone out there who came to the truth of it before us.
When it comes to calling others out for weird stuff falling outside of Mere Christianity, we make a huge assumption that we’re right and they’re wrong. Well, I’ve experienced the reverse enough to learn it’s better to keep my mouth shut and wait it out before speaking against something striking me as odd.
To the extent that we enjoy the flavor of humble pie and the unique spice blend of crow, we will rush to condemn what we don’t understand and haven’t experienced. James encourages us to be slow to speak (James 1:19). That’s wisdom and maturity.
3. It’s tough to remain in love
Jesus told us to love one another. By this the world will know that we are his children (John 13:34-35). Love is patient and kind. It does not dishonor. It’s not self-seeking or easily angered or keep records of wrong. It always protects, hopes, and perseveres (1 Cor. 13).
It’s difficult to maintain a posture of self-sacrificial love when standing in front of a group of people publically condemning another with whom we disagree. If we can serve someone while telling a mass of people why they’re wrong and how dangerous he/she is, I’d like to know how.
Love always protects. At what point to do we determine whom we will try and protect and who will be sacrificed? It’s my understanding that love will protect both people we feel are in danger, and also the one we determine is the predator.
In the public eye, love looks like encouragement, edification, and exhortation. It builds up and never tears down. In correction or disagreements, love looks like one on one discussion where both parties are honored and respected. Love listens and ascribes value to the other before speaking. Love seeks to understand and never rushes to judgment.
Of course we have the biblical system of first meeting with the individual one on one, then adding another, then the specific assembly (Matthew 18). But I wonder when we added, bring the world in.
4. It causes division
We will not likely survive a public correction without creating opposing sides. And, more often than not, the outcry from both parties will be an escalation of emotions with little regard to the worth and value of the other side.
Many feelings are hurt and relationships broken as the two decide they can’t continue on together. Never mind that we are unified in our love for Jesus. The other issue is just too big, much more important.
Heresy is a word that is misunderstood and often abused. While we throw it at people we feel are dangerous and out in left field, it actually just means sect. When we publically condemn others we will most likely cause division, birthing sects or heresies. Incidentally, this is one of the things Paul condemns is Galatians 5:20.
5. It’s motivated by fear
Many unholy things have been done by self-righteous rationalization. When we smell something we think is fishy, we decide it’s our job to warn others. Especially when it comes to our beliefs.
We free-fall into the end justifies the means approach and sacrifice love for the well being of others. But anything that pushes out self-sacrificial love is not birthed from love. It’s most likely birthed from control. And control comes from fear.
“We have enough watchmen on the wall.” – Tyler Johnson
Some fearful folk camp out on that wall waiting for a glimpse of something weird to warn us about. It’s time for many of us to get down and learn how to serve rather than try to put the world in the order we think it should be.
Fear seeks to expose and destroy. Love seeks to understand and build up. Fear is a natural response to stimuli. But what we choose to do from that point on says a lot about our understanding of perfect love and the security found therein.
That’s it. I’m out of reasons. Hopefully you can relate to some of them and the church can begin to walk in love to a greater degree than we do today. That’s the prayer of my heart and hopefully yours as well.
Blessings,
Jesse and Kara Birkey
http://www.facebook.com/jesse.birkey
http://www.amazon.com/author/jessebirkey
Comments
Great article!
by Anonymous
This is quite timely in my life. Much wisdom here!
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