The need for confrontation.
We were having tea with some friends after our respective churches, and they discussed how the sermons in their church have become more condemnatory. Their eyes lifted up when we described how we had been encouraged by teaching, for we are not damned, but stirred up to do good.
But at times this does mean that we need to confront, to challenge. We need to recall that gentleness is not weakness or cowardice. It is saying things softly, which is challenging in these times.
For evil will always take offense at being named truly, and those who do not seek wisdom will scorn good advice.
It is far better to underestimate one's holiness and wisdom, and continue to be hungry for Godly advice and that wisdom that comes from God alone.
6 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
None of us are perfect. None. Those who say they are perfect are lying, and those who say that we should aim for perfection are more dangerous. We need to be continually reforming our lives. We need to be looking at Christ, the perfector and redeemer of humanity.
It is far better to build into people -- who have an eternal fate -- than into things that will burn, rust and decay. This morning we met a man whose garden burned to the ground because a power line shorted during the last drought. To repair that garden will cost a fortune, and even more in emotions.
Yet all these things fade.
We need therefore, to discuss the besetting sins of this generation, which is that there is no sin in their eyes. Nor beauty, nor truth, nor honour, nor good, nor evil. We need to build the church for this time and not for the generations before us.
And we need to pray for wisdom. This world would drive us to despair. But we have been redeemed from this world.