We can make Christianity overly complicated and very ugly when we forget the two greatest commands, to love God and love others.
We too often forget whose roles are whose:
Satan: to condemn, shame & destroy
Holy Spirit: discernment & stength (inner conviction that something is either evil or pure and the power to resist darkness)
Christian’s: love God & love others (in grace and truth)
When we genuinely obey the two commands to love God and love others, we automatically obey all other commands. It’s not our job as Christian’s to condemn, shame or convict others. Yes, we are to share the truth of Gods Word but we must leave it to The Holy Spirit to use that truth,when it's shared with compassion, to bring about true understanding and change.
I am just as guilty of this as well, but it's important that us Christian's stop expecting blind people to see and deaf people to hear. Condemning and shaming them for being lost in darkness is counterproductive. When we are ugly and hateful, we are only causing them to run right back into the snares of Satan.
Would you stick around and listen to what you have to say if you were approached in the same way we approach others on social media?
However, when we can begin to approach others with compassion instead of anger and hatred, then maybe they will stick around to hear about Gods love, truth, plan and redemption. God calls us Christian's to be patient, kind, and understanding, and yes, sharing truth but only from a place of genuine love and concern. If we can take time to truly hear and understand their story, then we have the opportunity to share our own story of why we have come to trust God, His Word and how He has changed our life.
When we handle things God's way we can let Him handle the inner stirring of the other person. It will be between them and God if they choose to continue to reject Him and His Ways. However, if we are like the Pharisees blocking them from entering into Gods presence because of our hatefulness and self-righteousness, we will have to answer to God.
“Matthew 23:13 & 25 MSG - I’ve had it with you! You’re hopeless, you religion scholars, you Pharisees! Frauds! Your lives are roadblocks to God’s kingdom. You refuse to enter, and won’t let anyone else in either…You buff the surface of your cups and bowls so they sparkle in the sun, while the insides are maggoty with your greed and gluttony. Stupid Pharisee! Scour the insides, and then the gleaming surface will mean something.~Jesus”
There's a difference between someone who is lost and someone who is evil, just as there's a difference between someone who is truly a Child of God and someone who is simply religious or self-righteous.