Forgive Us - the Church
Forgive us? For what? Why are we asking forgiveness and who are we to speak for "the Church?" In the midst of real questions like these, let me share with you some of the reasons we are excited to seize the opportunity this Good Friday to take to the streets and ask our city to forgive us.
But before I do, let me be clear about what we are not asking forgiveness for. We are not apologizing for the truths of God's Word or the exclusiveness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 says, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." God never tells us to change the truth. We preach the truth and leave the results to God. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." The Apostle Paul writes, “There is no one righteous, no not one.” Is the message of the Church exclusive? Yes. Is Jesus the only way? Absolutely. Are there any exceptions? No.
Someone once said, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” Our verbal communication accounts for roughly 5% of what people hear when we talk. The other 95% is non-verbal. Because it is easier to manipulate or mask what you say than how you say it, people tend to believe our non-verbal communication more than our words. Have you ever met a Christian who talks about forgiveness, humility and speaking the truth in love and at the same time treats you poorly? Chances are your neighbor has. This is why we are asking forgiveness. Whether it’s for you or for your brothers and sisters or just for the sake of the good name of your Savior, this Friday you will have an opportunity to say, “forgive us, we didn’t mean to be offensive. We only meant to be truthful and compassionate.”
1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” Standing for the truth is important, but even more important is the way we go about it. Gentleness means power under control. When we reign-in our pride and share in humility the truth of the gospel we are able to find fertile ground. Respect means putting someone else above yourself. If you truly want the unchurched to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, it will require both gentleness and respect.
When we gather in the park and on K Street mall tomorrow we will be saying to the community who passes by, “Forgive Us, perhaps we have misled you.” Our message is hope through Jesus Christ and forgiveness of sins. Can we preach a message that is offensive to some with out doing it in a way that is offensive to all? With some humility, I believe we can.
But before I do, let me be clear about what we are not asking forgiveness for. We are not apologizing for the truths of God's Word or the exclusiveness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 says, "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God." God never tells us to change the truth. We preach the truth and leave the results to God. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me." The Apostle Paul writes, “There is no one righteous, no not one.” Is the message of the Church exclusive? Yes. Is Jesus the only way? Absolutely. Are there any exceptions? No.
Someone once said, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it.” Our verbal communication accounts for roughly 5% of what people hear when we talk. The other 95% is non-verbal. Because it is easier to manipulate or mask what you say than how you say it, people tend to believe our non-verbal communication more than our words. Have you ever met a Christian who talks about forgiveness, humility and speaking the truth in love and at the same time treats you poorly? Chances are your neighbor has. This is why we are asking forgiveness. Whether it’s for you or for your brothers and sisters or just for the sake of the good name of your Savior, this Friday you will have an opportunity to say, “forgive us, we didn’t mean to be offensive. We only meant to be truthful and compassionate.”
1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” Standing for the truth is important, but even more important is the way we go about it. Gentleness means power under control. When we reign-in our pride and share in humility the truth of the gospel we are able to find fertile ground. Respect means putting someone else above yourself. If you truly want the unchurched to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, it will require both gentleness and respect.
When we gather in the park and on K Street mall tomorrow we will be saying to the community who passes by, “Forgive Us, perhaps we have misled you.” Our message is hope through Jesus Christ and forgiveness of sins. Can we preach a message that is offensive to some with out doing it in a way that is offensive to all? With some humility, I believe we can.
posted by pastordan at 1:25 PM
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