By Glen Elliot
We must love those with whom we disagree. Jesus set the example when, from the cross, He prayed for His tormentors, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Lk. 23:34). His life and ministry were characterized by both com- passion and conflict. But, in His love for people, Jesus never sacrificed truth. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught us to love even our enemies (Matthew 5:44).
Such love does not mean we will ignore sin or water down the truth. Scripture directs us to “Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints” (Jude 1:3). Salvation depends on doing the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). Paul exhorted Timothy, saying, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16).
The same apostle who wrote so much about unity in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6; Colossians 3:12-14; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Hebrews 13:1) also withstood Peter to his face when he and Barnabas got caught up in hypocrisy because they were afraid of Judaizing teachers (Galatians 2:11-14). On the other hand, Paul and Barnabas had a sharp disagreement about whether or not to take John Mark along with them on their second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-41). Although they agreed to disagree and parted company, there is no indication of ongoing bitterness or an unforgiving spirit (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11).
We must not mistake confrontation of sin with an unloving disposition. In the body of Christ, we are to “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). There is no excuse for bitter, caustic language in dealing with sin and error. However, ignoring sin in a cloak of counterfeit love does not cover our responsibility nor is it truthful or loving. In most instances, confronting sin in a brother or sister in Christ can be done gently after introspection (Galatians 6:1). Other times, genuine love for God, the truth, and the body of Christ leads us to act decisively.
Because of the leavening influence of sin in the body and because false teaching can spread like gangrene; sin and error must be quickly exposed to the light of truth (1 Corinthians 5:6; 2 Timothy 2:17; Ephesians 5:11-12). Loving those with whom we disagree involves standing for the truth in matters of faith and practicing forbearance in matters of opinion.