It is not loving to allow people to continue down dangerous trajectories. To speak the truth in love sometimes means we have to confront people because we care for them so much.
14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. 16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.
Ephesians 4:14-16
As we mature in our discipleship, we realize that our growth encourages the development of others. We are intrinsically linked together. When cultural challenges increase, we hold on to the truth and one another so that we don’t drift away into deceitful concepts (Eph. 4:14). We keep each other on track by lovingly addressing one another when error sneaks into our midst (Eph. 4:15).
We often have a misconception when it comes to wayward and confused Christians. In a misconstruing of kindness, we speak as if challenging another one in love is an act of intolerant hate. You don’t love another believer if you allow them to endanger themselves with unbiblical ideas or ungodly lifestyles without challenging their directions.
If you had the perspective and power to stop that individual, you wouldn’t be considered loving if you let someone step onto a road to be hit by a bus.
Our commitment to each other is more than just a relational connection. We are united together but under someone. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, and we are individual members. While we each have distinct roles, we cannot go somewhere the head is not directing (Eph. 4:15).
You’re not the head but a part of the body. Have you ever considered what your role is? To the Corinthian Church, Paul wrote, “If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But as it is, God has arranged each one of the parts in the body just as he wanted” (1 Cor. 12:17-18).
Don’t get lost in the illustration that you wonder what type of body part you would be classified as among your church. The importance is recognizing that you have an essential role to play.
While some functions might not be as noticeable or appreciated as others, the whole body suffers if each member doesn’t do his or her part.
Have you ever considered that your reluctance to connect and serve your church is actually to the detriment of others? God has given you gifts, experiences, and skills that He intends you to use for the spiritual maturation of others.
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
