‘Hate Evangelism’

If we treated unsaved people the same way we treat wandering believers no one would ever get saved. I can just see it, a new program — hate evangelism. I am not saying that the intelligent and loving use of shame or punishment is not a biblical part of the overall process of winning the brother as is found in Corinthians. However, the main thing is to get them back and not send them into a dark orbit like a scapegoat never to return. A winsome person does not ostracize or shun. Rather, he takes away normal fellowship to win them back. So this means to be kind but also aware of moments where you can discuss repentance.

We show a good smiling face to the world, then once inside we control people with shame and guilt. As Philip Yancey says in his book on grace, the one thing we have that the world does not have is just that, grace. The movie “Forrest Gump” is a better picture of grace than what you see happening sometimes among believers. Unfortunately winning the brother has virtually become a lost art. We can gain people who disagree with us theologically if we are winsome. This is the desire of Jesus.

Chad Higgins
Huntsville, Ala.