Thanks, Pastor Bill;
What Daniel Fusco wrote was very helpful. We, as Christians, do need more help in this area of sharing our faith with those who oppose our beliefs.

You are and Debbie are wonderful examples of how to share the truth of God lovingly, yet uncompromisingly.

I also believe that what he said about Christians not having enough experience speaking to those who oppose our Christian beliefs is a large part of the problem we have.

It’s so important for us to get out into the world with God’s love in our hearts for the hurt and the dying and to share the ‘LOVE’ of Christ in such a way that points others to the problem of sin, yet gives them hope in the atoning work of Christ on the cross for our sin.

This is not easy. It takes the work of God in us first, a love for people, and then the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Certainly you have much experience in this area being a pastor and all. It’s helpful to read the Scriptures of how Jesus interacted with people for the purpose of learning how to be more like Him when we talk with others.

Jesus was led by compassion for others and He did not condemn those who were caught in their sin. He told them to repent so as not to continue to cause themselves more pain. But they knew He cared for them.

They didn’t seem to mind that He told them to change how they were living, because they knew in their heart they were going in the wrong direction when He spoke to them. The power of God was what convicted them, nothing else.

This way people we speak with will know the awesome and magnificiant love of God for them in such a way that seeds are planted for a future harvest – in God’s timing.

“Love without truth is hypocrisy and truth without love is brutality.” Well said!