CHRISTIAN CONFRONTATION

I get a ton of complaints about being un-Christian and too confrontational.  Quite frankly, this pleases me in that it is proof that I am doing what God directs me in the Scripture.  Today’s modern Christians have errantly been taught that confronting error is dangerous as some false sense of tolerance is the only acceptable Christian trait or characteristic.  I simply ask these people to read their Bible and see how surprisingly uneducated their statement is. 

         Historically and Scripturally, God repeatedly sends people to confront sin and error.  Nathan confronted David in II Samuel 12.  Elijah confronted Ahab in I Kings 17.  Paul confronted Peter in Galatians 2:11-13.  Jesus confronted religious leaders throughout his ministry.  All of the prophets confronted entire nations throughout the Old Testament.  Just from these few examples, correction and confrontation is woven throughout all of the Bible.  Why?  Because God loves His people and His creation for not following His laws and commands. 

         Let me explain in simpler terms.  A doctor who refuses to identify and diagnose any sickness or disease, I contend is not loving.  He not only does not love those who came to him for care, he also does not love his chosen profession.  Any shepherd who ignores the wolves and puts his flock in danger, again, does not love his flock or his life of being a shepherd.  Lastly, so-called or almost-Christians who ignore error in Scripture and interpretation all in this sordid belief in tolerance are not very loving either.

         My goal is never to kill or destroy people.  Teaching from that perspective is prideful, being bitter (and quite frankly, I have every right to be) is wrong, hatred is wrong but is right if what you hate is sin.  My sole responsibility is to protect truth and the sanctity of God’s laws and commands.

         The exact moment that correction becomes forbidden by progressive religion and moral relativism, unhealthy things begin to grow and grow.  Truth—no pastor is perfect, no church is perfect, no denomination is perfect—that is why God gave us His word.  The Word of God was never written to defend rituals, rites, or denominational traditions.  God’s Word serves as a continual correction to His Truth.  I would readily contend that a church that welcomes Biblical correction demonstrates confidence in God.  Any church that respectfully fears Biblical examination demonstrates a logical confidence in the Truth that it teaches.

         Trust me, I fully investigate everything I teach.  I also tell my congregation to question me on anything and everything.  Too many people go to their emotional cheer and hype rally instead of going to learn and grow in their sincere and Biblical walk with God.  I find this sad and am more than willing to confront it.  I want super smart Christians who have the confidence of knowing and living the Word.  That’s why God made me.

         At the end of the day we have to always ask the question, “What does the Scripture actually say?”  NOT what my favorite preacher says.  NOT what my church denomination says.  NOT EVER what my family says (trust me on that one).  And NEVER what tradition and ritual says.  What does the Bible say?

         Historically, this exact thought is what changed the entire world in the reformation as it challenged religious systems and attacked the powerbrokers of religion. 

         This is how we expose false teachers and I am certain that question that we ask still applies today.  For some strange reason, mainly because people are goats, they blindly follow someone else’s faith instead of that from study of the Scripture.  People expect me to study, someone else to give an interpretation, and get paid a ton of money for it.  Almost like some spiritual voodoo card reader and you walk out feeling a false sense of blessing over commitment because you depend on someone else to save you other than God and the Word.

         When all of the noise and emotions fades away and your evangelical kids are having abortions and living with their boyfriends, every Christian must face the confrontational questions of the Scripture.  What does Scripture actually say?  You will be surprised.

         My Christian goal is NOT to prove everyone wrong and not win arguments.  Rather, it is meant to provoke people into Scriptural truth.  Although I love studying God’s word, history, and other sciences, my sole goal is for people to know Jesus.  No money, no nothing—just work.  I believe the closer you get to Jesus, the lesser you are inclined into the sinful human system. 

        So, for me, I defend Truth. Churches will come and go. Preachers die. Movements will rise and fall. Leaders will succeed and fail as propped up by uneducated voters. BUT, Jesus remains the same yesterday, today, and forever. I build my life on Him, and everything else is a FAR second.