As Christians express their disapproval and disdain in conversation, on social media and various platforms, against profanity, blasphemy, violence and indecency, I’ve noticed a tendency for them to receive the proverbial slap on the wrist from other self-proclaimed Christians. It generally goes something like this: “Jesus reserved his harsh criticism for religious hypocrites but was welcoming and gentle toward sinners” or, “We will not have a good influence or win the world with our condemnation.”
It is true that following Jesus means that we should always be careful about our speech and conduct, no matter what evils we are responding to, no matter how upset we may be. However, it is fair to ask, how should we respond to an adult male with his private parts exposed on national television in the presence of children? “Now, now, sir, that's not nice, please and thank you.” How should we respond to drag shows in public libraries with young kids in attendance? To transgender activists who seek to mutilate confused adolescents? To the LGBTQ activists who seek to actively recruit young children? To men who want to go into the bathroom with your 8-year-old daughter? One church of Christ recently decided that the correct response was to “make friends with the LGTBQ community” because, after all, Jesus was a friend to sinners.
What is the correct response? First, it's not to revile and threaten and to return evil speech with evil speech (I Peter 2.23). Second, it’s important to recognize the difference in being friends with a sinner and being friends with a demonic movement. “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4.4b). The Christian is to be a friend to a Muslim, not to the terrorist group Hamas. Finally, regardless of how the world defines it, simply opposing evil in clear language is not hate-speech.
God has always expected his people to give voice for the voiceless, to defend the helpless and to stand for righteousness. “It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones” (Luke 17.2) – Jesus
NOTE: I always prefer to write my own contributions to our newsletter when it comes my turn. Back when church bulletins were a regular practice among congregations I did a lot of writing. I have bound volumes of bulletins for which I have written going back to 1978. Many of those were weekly contributions. I wrote on a weekly basis for the Mabelvale bulletin from 1989-1995, at which time I began sharing space with co-workers. In 2014 we discontinued hardcopy bulletins and went to a digital format. But, I have written “tons” of articles over the years.
Sometimes, however, the ideas just will not come together. When such dry spells hit I like to offer something good from another writer. I hope you will enjoy brother Brent Smith’s article. The church in Trenton, Tennessee is one of the few congregations that still sends out a bulletin. I always appreciate brother Smith’s articles which always make me think. I like to pass the wisdom along to you. – Dennis Gulledge.