If we are to be persecuted - let us be persecuted for righteousness' sake - not for being unkind, mean and hateful. There is a difference between being bold and being ignorant. Making a point just to be right without the intention of being sincerely helpful in a humble fashion does not make you spiritual - it makes you stupid.
Jesus was our example. Who was he constantly rebuking? The RELIGIOUS crowd. The Pharisees. Oh brethren - we may have the truth but shoving it down peoples' throats because "bless God I'm right and they're wrong" turns one into the same Pharisee that Jesus was always chastising. We are to walk in love. We are to walk in humility. We are to approach people out of a broken heart not a judgmental, critical spirit.
The men I know used of God the most were "hard" and "bold" but they were Christian gentlemen. Being kind is not compromising it is being Christ-like.
Please consider the following...
- Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- II Corinthians 1:12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward.
- Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise...
- Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.
- Colossians 4:5 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
- I Thessalonians 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe...
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