When Disagreement Means Love

 “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.” -John 7:1.

The Bible says that Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, and this desire to ALWAYS be right has reached a fever-pitch in our times, so that it’s often now called hateful just to express disagreement with someone; this presents a dilemma to Christians when they seek to preach the gospel, for its message will tell men that they are sinners who must repent and be forgiven. Salvation begins with awareness that each of us are separated (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) from God by our sins, which most will NOT admit.

“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” -Proverbs 20:6.

“There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” -Proverbs 30:12.

“The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” -John 7:7.

But there are some who seek validation with God in ways other than Jesus, and seem very sincere in their professed “faith;” in light of which Christians may shy away from any further witnessing to them; and wind up giving an impression of acceptance by God rather than sharing their need for salvation.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” -Romans 3:23.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” -Romans 6:23.

We need to remember that the Bible says JESUS is the ONLY way mankind can come to God the Father (John 14:6), and

 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” -Acts 4:12.

 The Bible says a basic belief in God’s existence is commonplace, but true salvation and submission to Him are not; for even the devils believe, and tremble. “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:” -Romans 1:20.

“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” -James 2:19.

Brethren, WARNING others to turn from that which harms them isn’t being hateful (Proverbs 27:6), and rest assured that not all who claim to be right with God really are; do they seem like the deceived brethren of Matthew 7:21-23? Do they accept their need for repentance (Mark 2:17), or are they always right in their own eyes (Proverbs 21:2)? Is theirs a Living God who hears & answers diligent prayer (Hebrews 11:6)? Be encouraged in your witness toward any you are led to, knowing

“...that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.” -James 5:20.

So let us pray that God will enable us to fulfill the preaching duty that is ours, for scripture says,

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?…So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” -Romans 10:13,14,17.

I also have a short YouTube video on this subject titled Love Others, Respect God.