Am I Willing to Be Misunderstood?

The question I keep going over in my mind… if I agree with Charlie Kirk, but I know for a fact that I’m not a racist, bigot, or sexist, how can he be considered that? Then, I think of Jesus…

Jesus was the most divisive person that ever walked the Earth and people completely misunderstood him.

This is where we get in the space of “Toxic Empathy” (a wonderful book by Allie Beth Stickey). It’s important for us to do right by people that God puts in front of us and follow the example of Jesus by speaking truth in kindness… but we MUST stand by the truth that God created man and woman in His image for His glory and purpose. Thus, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds according to His character, will, and plan…actively putting away the lies that keep people in bondage.

There also must be a compassionate understanding that conviction feels like offense to one who does not know the Lord. Truth and accountability can be mistaken for judgment when a Christian is simply saying what is right and good according to the grace, mercy, justice, and kindness of God. Their misguided, blinded ideals can often be mistaken for their own personal righteousness above the Christian. 

The problem goes in both directions. We have to be willing to be kind AND to be misunderstood.

We MUST be kind and be willing to have the conversation with these people. They have been harmed, violated, and lied to, just like we were before we knew Jesus! We MUST have compassion for them! Compassion does not mean that we condone or comply. These people are not just “wrong.” They do not yet have the understanding that God put order and "rules" in place to protect them. They are broken and do not know the love of God to deliver them from the bondage they are in…and it would be cruel to just be empathetic towards them.

Recently, I had to write out a statement of my beliefs. This was interesting because it made me think deeply about why I believe in and follow Jesus. In the aftermath of this horrible tragedy, I am stretched even further to think about my willingness to stand on these truths and be misunderstood. If Jesus was willing to be misunderstood by many, so that those who were willing to listen would know the heart of the Father, then so must I!

Take a minute and be challenged with me. Consider these biblical standards of commitment below for the Christian who is willing to go and make disciples...

I. I confess Jesus is the one True God, begotten, not made. He became human, conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, and dwelt among humanity, living a full life without sin (Matt 1:18-21; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15). His perfect life and death on the cross provide the only atonement that satisfies the righteous requirements of God for the sinner. His resurrection confirmed His deity, proving He is humanity's ultimate hope (Mark 16:1-8; Heb 9:26; Col 1:13; Rom 3:23-26). 

II. I affirm that the biblical message is that God's love for all humanity was proven through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. I believe that all humans are sinful (Rom 3:10-12) and in need of salvation, which is the gift of God brought to humans by grace alone and which is received by faith in His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, died on a cross, was buried, and rose from the grave to redeem sinful humanity. His death was both redemptive and substitutionary, fully and finally paying for sin (John 3:16; Eph 2:8-9; Acts 4:12; 1 Thes 5:9; Titus 2:11; Rom 3:25; 2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15). 

III. I confess that God created every human in His image, out of His immense love, and we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Gen 1:26-27; Psalm 139:13-16). Every human is accountable to Him (Matt 12:36-37; Rom 14:12). Therefore, all who do not receive His Son, Jesus Christ, remain under judgment and condemnation of sin and are destined for hell (John 3:17-20; Rom 5:18). 

IV. I submit to the Holy Spirit – the divine third member of the Godhead – who bears persuasive testimony to the realities of Jesus, convicting those whom God brings to Him of sin and its consequences, directing and transforming the believer in repentance and faith. He indwells the believer with the radical life of Jesus Christ, bearing the fruit of Christian character, and He guides, instructs, and empowers them for godly living and service (John 6:44; 2 Cor 3:18; Eph 1:13; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:38; Acts 2:41; Matt 28:19). 

V. I affirm that Christ commanded all Christians, His body and bride, to join in assembly for instruction, worship, service, and fellowship (Eph 5:16-20; Acts 2:42, 44; Col 1:8; Heb 10:24-25). I believe that Jesus commissioned His disciples to be diligent to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mat 28:19-20, Christian Standard Bible, 2017). 

VI. I acknowledge Paul's call to the Church, to "live worthy of the calling received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the body of peace" (Eph 4:1-3). I believe that God loves the Church, giving each member specific gifts and talents to be used out of fellowship with Him for His purpose and glory and for the help of the other members of the body (1 Cor 12:12-27; Rom 12:4-5; Eph 1:22-23). 

VII. I accept God's desire for each member of the body to "Be diligent to present [themselves] to God as one approved, a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, correctly teaching the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15). 

VIII. I respond to God's call through Paul and Peter to "Preach the word; [to] be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching" (2 Tim 4:2) and to be "ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope [in our hearts]" (1 Pet 3:15). 

IX. I recognize that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings both freedom and urgency. Therefore, my responsibility as a believer and disciple-maker is to help those whom God has placed in my path to believe that only He can set them free to live in eternity with Him. Thus, without the promise of another day of life here on earth, I embrace my calling to share the gospel and to shepherd boldly, without compulsion (John 5:25-29; Luke 16:19-31; Heb 9:27; 1 Pet 5:1-4; Prov 27:1). 

X. I affirm the historic fact of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead, which testifies powerfully to His deity. Furthermore, we believe that He will return to earth to judge all people and to rule and reign with His saints forever. Everyone will be resurrected to give an account of their lives before Him. The unbeliever will be resurrected to judgment and everlasting conscious punishment. The believer in Christ will be resurrected to everlasting joy in the presence of God. (Titus 2:12-13; Phil 3:20; Matt 24:44; Matt 25:21; 2 Thes 4:15-18; Acts 17:30-31; Rom 2:5-7; Rom 14:10-12; 2 Cor 5:10).