Nathan W. Bingham
👤 SpeakerAppearances Over Time
Podcast Appearances
I can't be callous with others, even while I contend.
They're in error and I'm not only because of grace.
As Paul says in Romans 12, 14, bless those who persecute you, do not curse them.
It would have been easier if Paul had simply said the negative, do not curse them, but he also says the positive, bless, that there's no limiting factor there for him.
It's an ethic that encompasses the negative, do not curse them, and yet it surpasses it.
Contend without being callous.
When Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan, the Levite didn't do anything wrong.
It's not like he beat the man.
It's not like he kicked him.
It's not like he said something harsh to him.
He just didn't do that which was right and good.
When you and I contend for the faith, we are to do so with tears.
It is a sad reality that that person is being led astray and is embracing untruth.
Fourth, we contend without being cynical.
We're to be on guard against ungodly people who creep in, as Jude speaks about here, but we don't fall into the trap of thinking the worst of everyone out there.
Some of us are half glass full.
Some of us are half glass empty.
Some of us are a wet glass.