Confront the World

There is a trend among believers which I believe needs to be addressed, and it has to do with how we interact with others who don’t obey the Word of God. Confronting the ungodly and/or the disobedient is difficult at times, especially when those who we try to influence resist those efforts – sometimes to the point of disaster! Should we confront the world, or let them go about their lives without our input?

As Christians we are called by Christ to confront the world, as well as those who claim to know Christ but act contrary to Scripture (Col 1:28; 1 Tim 5:19-20; Titus 1:10-16). Recent developments in the political realm, and society in general, are understandably concerning to those who believe the Word of God. It’s a fulfillment of what we see in Scripture, but that doesn’t benefit those who don’t believe.

We tend to get frustrated with those who blindly (or rebelliously?) go on their merry way, despite our warnings of bad times to come. It’s easy to see how the frustration we feel can lead to a less-than-best confrontation. It’s time we step back and examine ourselves (me included!), making sure that we operate in the love which God has shed abroad in our hearts. So then, what can we use to examine our hearts? The Word of God, of course!

The standard I use for every area of life is the Word of God. I’m sure that’s the same standard that you – and all those who love Christ – use as well. The best description of the love of God which lives in the heart of every believer is found in 1 Cor 13;

1 Cor 13:4-7

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

While the whole chapter deals with the operation of love, it’s primary concern is how to operate in love in the church. These principles, however, are universal in application. We can – and should – use these principles to be sure we are operating in the love of God.

• Have you gotten ‘fed up’ with the rebellion of those who disobey the Word? I know I have, especially when dealing with those who claim to know the Lord! Instead of allowing ourselves to become frustrated we need to “suffer long and [be] kind.”
• Instead of being envious of another’s success or gifts, we should support that person in prayer.
• We need to constantly check to be sure we aren’t trying to ‘one-up’ someone, seeking to impress them with how much we know.
• LOVE IS NEVER RUDE. I routinely have to battle with this because, for me, I can allow my feelings to dictate how I respond to rebellion.
• I also constantly have to guard against a critical attitude. I don’t know the heart of those I deal with, I don’t know their past experiences or the way they were raised. I don’t know what they may have previously, or are currently, going through! I try to give others the benefit of doubt.
• Love places focus on the truth of God’s Word, and rejoices in that truth!
• Love is consistent, always bearing, believing, hoping and enduring the things which oppose us.

Take a look at your motives. It takes time and effort, but I have tried to train myself to do this on a case-by-case basis. I don’t always operate in love, but by practicing the principles of love I’m more sensitive to the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit as I interact with others!

By repeatedly examining how – and why – we deal with others gives us the chance to change our motives and align ourselves with God and His Spirit. The way we deal with others should be in love; not in judgment and condemnation but with understanding and patience. That is a tall order given the worldly trend we see evolving around us, but we can rely upon the operation of the Holy Spirit to enable and empower us to walk worthy of the name of Christ.