2 Corinthians 6-7

I think Christians make a couple of mistakes when sharing the Gospel. Sometimes we might be so fervent, so black and white, that we come across as insensitive. Other times we might try to be so sensitive that we sugar-coat the Gospel until it’s unrecognizable.

Paul knew he could be harsh. In his defense, he didn’t have time to tiptoe around the issues. He was like the captain of a sinking ship, barking out orders to get the passengers into a lifeboat. Worrying about hurt feelings was the last thing on his mind.

But at the same time, Paul wanted the Corinthians to know that his words, as harsh as they were, came from a place of genuine love. He’d laid his heart wide open, and didn’t want them to miss that fact in spite of the tone of his voice.

I think it would do us good if we could find that balance, too. We can’t dumb down the message of the Gospel so it doesn’t offend. The Gospel IS offensive! No one likes to hear they are wrong, without hope. But it’s a message everyone needs to hear because of the seriousness of sin in all of us.

And, it’s a message everyone needs to hear because of the Good News of Jesus, His love and grace, His work on the cross on their behalf is their only hope, their only salvation.

Let’s learn to be firm yet gentle, like Paul as a parent with dearly loved children. Having a heart means caring enough to tell the truth in love. The message is too important for us not to have a heart.