“We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed.” -2 Cor 6:3
Today we have what we call “seeker friendly” or “seeker sensitive” churches. We normally define these churches as compromising churches who place too much emphasis on not offending the unbeliever - who emphasize acceptance but never mention repentance. However the most biblical church is not one that emphasises repentance and never mentions acceptances either. We must have a biblical and accurate balance with regard to these things.
When it comes to the gospel the package may change but the contents should never change. For example one preacher who recorded his messages on audio cassettes in the 90’s today is using CD’s to do it; a worship leader who used hymnals now uses contemporary praise and worship to lead; and the gospel can now be shared through Facebook and not just face to face.
The Living Bible renders 2 Corinthians 6:3 this way “We try to live in such a way that no one will ever be offended or kept back from finding the Lord by the way we act, so that no one can find fault with us and blame it on the Lord.” While we shouldn’t be “seeker sensitive” in the unbiblical way we should seek to be sensitive the biblical way. Paul made it his aim to not allow himself or any non essential thing to become an obstacle for the lost to come to Christ. He didn’t want his kosherness to be an obstacle in reaching gentiles so he could very well have eaten bacon with them at one point or another. And on the flipside he would never eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols in the presence of weaker believers so as not to stumble them, but he wouldn’t make it a case otherwise. (1 Cor 10:25-33) He had his protege Timothy circumcised not to be saved but to serve in winning the Jews for Jesus, as he saw uncircumcision as a barrier for conversation. (Acts 16:1-3)
Friends I want to encourage you to not take your testimony and witness lightly among the unsaved (and saved), I want to encourage you to put aside anything that would hinder your family, your children, your parents, and anyone else in your life from coming to Christ. While there will always be those with cop out excuses and smokescreen answers let us strive to not be their excuse.
When it comes to the gospel the package may change but the contents should never change. For example one preacher who recorded his messages on audio cassettes in the 90’s today is using CD’s to do it; a worship leader who used hymnals now uses contemporary praise and worship to lead; and the gospel can now be shared through Facebook and not just face to face.
The Living Bible renders 2 Corinthians 6:3 this way “We try to live in such a way that no one will ever be offended or kept back from finding the Lord by the way we act, so that no one can find fault with us and blame it on the Lord.” While we shouldn’t be “seeker sensitive” in the unbiblical way we should seek to be sensitive the biblical way. Paul made it his aim to not allow himself or any non essential thing to become an obstacle for the lost to come to Christ. He didn’t want his kosherness to be an obstacle in reaching gentiles so he could very well have eaten bacon with them at one point or another. And on the flipside he would never eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols in the presence of weaker believers so as not to stumble them, but he wouldn’t make it a case otherwise. (1 Cor 10:25-33) He had his protege Timothy circumcised not to be saved but to serve in winning the Jews for Jesus, as he saw uncircumcision as a barrier for conversation. (Acts 16:1-3)
Friends I want to encourage you to not take your testimony and witness lightly among the unsaved (and saved), I want to encourage you to put aside anything that would hinder your family, your children, your parents, and anyone else in your life from coming to Christ. While there will always be those with cop out excuses and smokescreen answers let us strive to not be their excuse.
- HAVE YOU EVER BEEN A BAD WITNESS? HOW HAS YOUR TESTIMONY AFFECTED SOMEONE’S RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL?
- “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.” -Paul (1 Cor 9:22 NLT)