Introduction
We must be kind
- Romans 12:10-21 – We shouldn’t be trying to pick fights in the world.
- Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12 – God commands us to be kind and forgive each other.
- Romans 14:13, 19; 15:1-2; 14:3 – Seek peace and try not to put stumbling blocks in front of others.
- Acts 15:1-2, 7, 22-23, 31 – There was great disagreement and debate, but the truth of the matter was found, and peace resulted.
- I Timothy 5:1-2; II Timothy 2:24-26 – Don’t ignore the problem but be kind in addressing it.
- Disagreement doesn’t mean you’re not a Christian!
But the sad fact is, God’s truth will always offend people.
- Matthew 15:2-3, 12-14 – People get offended at the truth! The most loving thing Jesus could do was correct them in their sin.
- Luke 11:42-46 – Jesus was accused of insulting them, but He refused to back down.
- Have we forgotten the definition of love and kindness?
- Ephesians 4:29-32
- Speaking the truth out of love is not sin, even if it gives offense.
- Ephesians 4:15, 5, 13-14; 5:3-6, 11-12 – There’s only one truth! It is worth standing up for!
- Ephesians 5:11 – “expose”
- See also Matthew 18:15; Jude 1:15; John 3:20; I Timothy 5:20; II Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:9, 13; 2:15; Revelation 3:9
- Ephesians 5:11 – “expose”
- Galatians 5:14-16; 5:4, 7-8 – Paul told them about their error directly!
- Which book of the Bible could we read that would not offend people?