“You Heretic” | Ponderings of a Pastor
Key Thought | The world will not recognize us by how precisely we divide truth, but by how faithfully we embody love.
Key Scripture | “And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.” – Romans 16:17-18 NLT
"A man getting ready to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was spotted by an Evangelical Christian. The Christian rushed to him and said, “Oh, sir, please don’t jump. Don’t you believe in God?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do believe in God,” the man replied.
“Oh, good. I too believe in God. Tell me, are you a Jew or Gentile?”
“I’m a Gentile.”
“I too am a Gentile. Oh, sir, please don’t jump. May I ask, are you a Christian or a Muslim?”
“I’m a Christian.”
“This is amazing. I too am a Christian. May I ask, are you Protestant or Catholic?”
“I’m a Protestant.”
“Praise the Lord. I’m so glad to get to you in time. I’m a Protestant. Tell me, are you an Evangelical or a liberal?”
“I am an Evangelical.”
“Praise the Lord. Thank You, Jesus. But do tell me, might you be a Baptist or Presbyterian?”
“I’m a Baptist.”
“This is most extraordinary. I too am a Baptist. I’d be interested to know—are you a Southern Baptist or an Independent Baptist?”
“I am an Independent Baptist.”
“This is almost too good to be true,” the Christian continued. “I am also an Independent Baptist. Do forgive me, but I must ask: are you a premillennialist, an amillennialist, or a postmillennialist?”
“I am a premillennialist.”
“This is extraordinary; it is so obvious the Lord sent me here to stop you in the nick of time from taking your life. I too am solidly a premillennialist. But could I ask one more question: are you a pretribulationist, midtribulationist , or a post-tribulationist!”
“I’m a post-tribulationist.”
“Jump, you heretic.” - RT Kendalll
Key Scripture | “And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.” – Romans 16:17-18 NLT
"A man getting ready to jump off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was spotted by an Evangelical Christian. The Christian rushed to him and said, “Oh, sir, please don’t jump. Don’t you believe in God?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I do believe in God,” the man replied.
“Oh, good. I too believe in God. Tell me, are you a Jew or Gentile?”
“I’m a Gentile.”
“I too am a Gentile. Oh, sir, please don’t jump. May I ask, are you a Christian or a Muslim?”
“I’m a Christian.”
“This is amazing. I too am a Christian. May I ask, are you Protestant or Catholic?”
“I’m a Protestant.”
“Praise the Lord. I’m so glad to get to you in time. I’m a Protestant. Tell me, are you an Evangelical or a liberal?”
“I am an Evangelical.”
“Praise the Lord. Thank You, Jesus. But do tell me, might you be a Baptist or Presbyterian?”
“I’m a Baptist.”
“This is most extraordinary. I too am a Baptist. I’d be interested to know—are you a Southern Baptist or an Independent Baptist?”
“I am an Independent Baptist.”
“This is almost too good to be true,” the Christian continued. “I am also an Independent Baptist. Do forgive me, but I must ask: are you a premillennialist, an amillennialist, or a postmillennialist?”
“I am a premillennialist.”
“This is extraordinary; it is so obvious the Lord sent me here to stop you in the nick of time from taking your life. I too am solidly a premillennialist. But could I ask one more question: are you a pretribulationist, midtribulationist , or a post-tribulationist!”
“I’m a post-tribulationist.”
“Jump, you heretic.” - RT Kendalll
This is the world we live in, but we must not operate this way.
Jesus said:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” – John 13:35 NIV
Love is not the absence of truth. In fact, love without truth is no longer love. However, truth without love is something we are never called to.
Are we more known for our love or for our judgement? More known for our differences or by what makes us one?
This week, resist the urge to win arguments. Choose instead to love well. Speak truth, yes. But let it be wrapped in humility, patience, and kindness. Let the tone of your voice reflect the heart of Christ.
If the world is watching, may they see less of our division and more of our love.
Prayer | Lord Jesus, You are full of grace and truth. You never compromised truth, yet You never withheld love. Forgive me for the times I have spoken with sharpness instead of gentleness, or defended doctrine while neglecting compassion. Guard my heart from pride that disguises itself as conviction. Teach me to speak truth in love, to listen well, and to reflect Your character in every conversation. May I be known not for division, but for the kind of love that points people back to You. Amen.
Reflections
Jesus said:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”” – John 13:35 NIV
Love is not the absence of truth. In fact, love without truth is no longer love. However, truth without love is something we are never called to.
Are we more known for our love or for our judgement? More known for our differences or by what makes us one?
This week, resist the urge to win arguments. Choose instead to love well. Speak truth, yes. But let it be wrapped in humility, patience, and kindness. Let the tone of your voice reflect the heart of Christ.
If the world is watching, may they see less of our division and more of our love.
Prayer | Lord Jesus, You are full of grace and truth. You never compromised truth, yet You never withheld love. Forgive me for the times I have spoken with sharpness instead of gentleness, or defended doctrine while neglecting compassion. Guard my heart from pride that disguises itself as conviction. Teach me to speak truth in love, to listen well, and to reflect Your character in every conversation. May I be known not for division, but for the kind of love that points people back to You. Amen.
Reflections
- In my recent conversations, especially disagreements, have I reflected the tone and heart of Christ?
- Am I more concerned with being correct, or with being Christlike?
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