Now a days, so many devoted Christians are worried about offending others just so they do not fit the stereotype. Just the other night, a relatively new Christian that I know was asking an older wiser Christian about death and judgment and many other theological things. A statement came up that caught my attention.
"So, how do you mention Hell without offending someone?"
One of the Christian club leaders, Beth, stepped in and spoke wisdom. "You cannot bring up Hell without offending someone. Hell is an offensive topic, but we cannot be afraid of bringing it up and be honest. When someone who is not a believer asks if we believe that they are going to Hell, the answer is always going to be offensive. But we cannot forget that the Word is offensive. It is a double-edged sword piercing the hearts of unbelievers. It is offensive. So do not be afraid if someone feels offended. You must continue to come in love, but the Holy Spirit will move in other people and convict them."
As important as it is for us to come in love, we also must remember that the message that we are coming with is a double edged sword, which piercing unbelievers with conviction. (Hebrews 4:12) It is a message that tells them everything that they knew in the ugliest light, but offers a redemption that a conscious sinner could only dream of, but for free. Who would not get offended from hearing, "you mess up and you are going to the worst place that could ever exist." Anyone would get offended!
Here is the key difference, though. When that sentence comes from a complete stranger with no love, no personality, and all scripture, it will chase away any non-believer. But imagine your best friend, someone you trust with your heart and soul, tells you that they love you and are worried about you and want to help you. They see your life style, they know your pain, and they want you to be set free from the burdens, the depressions, and the anger. Which sounds like a message you would rather hear?
No, this is not a "how to evangelize" session; but it is important to remember that we are speaking a powerful tool and we need to know how to handle it with delicacy. It can offend others easily, and we do not want to offend others; but we must remember that the Holy Spirit will convict others and we cannot step in the way of that just because we do not want to rock the boat.
It is a tricky line to walk, but handling a double-edged sword is not easy. We must know the tool that we are using, present it in love, and let conviction be handled by the Holy Spirit, not us. We are to present this message in love, not judgment or wrath. Leave those things to the one who sits upon the throne.
-D
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