There are two very different motivations for adapting and accommodating our message to the sensibilities of a group of people. The first motive is ‘ambition’ — we do it for our sake, for our own glory and approval. The other reason we may accommodate people is for their sake, so that we can gradually win their trust until they become open to the truth they need so much. The first motive will so control us that we will never offend people. The second motive will help us choose our battles and not offend people unnecessarily. Read more on Tim's article here.This is a good article to read and think things through.
How can we do this? How can say such that there will be healing from God?
I think there are not just two ways but three ways.
1. Emphasize truth only. Be come legalistic and correct. Be self righteous and condemning everyone.
2. Emphasize grace only. Be tolerant and take a mentality of can we get alone. Say nothing to others.
3. The gospel way is to speak the truth in love. Jesus is full of grace and truth. Sometimes it is not what we say but how we say it. When Jesus spoke the truth in love, he was killed. But his death on the cross is our salvation.
Jesus showed us to do things differently and still ask us to follow him. (John 21:23)
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Commenting on this article and also the remainder of last weeks' Tim Keller excerpt regarding 'idols.' Keller is referring to the problem of inflexibility, specifically of Calvin's friends Farel and Viret. The two read as a literal polar opposites, but they make a good example of the extremes of the gospel life - heady ambition, and gaudy emotionalism. Neither is a good way - hence the 'third' way. Not sure if there is a perfectly third way, since I'm inclined toward Viret myself. However, the struggle always tends towards Farel, but Farel is not funny enough! I'm personally absorbed in my idols whose images are constantly broadcast over the computer. I think it was either Keller or Calvin who said that men are 'idol factories.' I agree with that.
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