I just finished reading an interesting article written by Joe Carter, who is recognized as one of the top bloggers in the God Blogsphere. He just accepted a position in the Family Research Council and responded to the outrage caused by some of the Christian speakers at the Washington Briefing: Values Voter Summit. He did a great job and I commend him for it.

I usually gloss over articles like these because I'm fed up with Christians publicly criticizing other Christians. Nonetheless, my eyes widened when the first name I saw was that of a well respected Atlanta area pastor and leader. I've never really seen his name in the middle of any drama like that so I became very interested.

According to the transcripts, he took a strong stand against homosexuality which enraged certain people. He also used certain words in his speech that can be construed as derogatory references to homosexuals. He used the words in a different context but, as expected, people took it to mean a direct insult to those who practice that lifestyle.

I rarely talk about this issue on my site because my target readership of young Christian adults know what the Bible says about it already. Nonetheless, if I have to say something, is there a nicer way to present the truth?

Ephesians 4:15(KJV)- But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

If something is obviously wrong and God has given you a voice in the community, how do you say it's wrong without offending anyone? If you're having sex before marriage and I'm inspired by God to speak about it. How do I speak the truth without offending you? If you want a divorce without any good reason and I'm inspired by God to speak about it, no matter how I phrase it, you'll still get offended. If you're drinking too much and I tell you what the Bible says about that, if you want an excuse to keep drinking, your feelings will get hurt.

I think it's a very difficult position to be in. Speaking the truth in love does not mean compromising the truth to sound loving by the ever changing standards of society. It means expressing the love of God while speaking the truth.

Recently, one of my good friends sternly rebuked me for something I said.
He went through the Bible, scripture by scripture and with painstaking precision set me straight. God bless him! I know he really tried to be nice and I could tell that he was a little apprehensive to approach me about the issue.

Nonetheless, I could hear the voice of God in his words and I repented for my errors. The truth is that I had a choice. I could have taken his words as an insult because after all, I am also a man of God and I do have scriptural support for my position. However, I chose to accept correction and change my perspective based on the prompting of the Holy Spirit through my friend.

Many things I say could be said another way. I understand that and accept that but my #1 objective when given a directive by God is to speak the truth while expressing the love of God. Sometimes, it comes out one way, other times it comes out another. That's why I'm the last guy to point fingers at another man of God who speaks something based on the scriptures. I may not agree with his choice of words but I definitely can't disagree with the foundational principles from the Bible.

James 4:4(KJV) - Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

In sum, it's obvious that many Christians try so hard to befriend the world that they are willing to turn on other Christians to do so. They will tear each other apart in order to defend people who are living in sin and then claim that they're showing the love of God. I'll stand with my brothers and sisters in the Lord as long as they stand with the Word of God. So what do yout think? Is there a nicer way to present the truth? I'm sure! Therefore, if you know the nicer way, feel free to use it. (smile)