How to approach people who are in the wrong, part 2!

I have come to realise as I’ve got older not everything is what it seems.

A numerically growing church doesn’t mean all is well backstage.

A Christian who quotes the Bible doesn’t mean the Bible lives through their life.

I think of a lady I used to Pastor who passed away many years ago. I can picture her in my mind right now standing in worship with her hands in the air and yet at the same time her head revolving around (not quite 360 degrees) watching everyone else, it was quite amazing to see. Was she worshipping? In one sense we could say she was. Was she being nosy? Again in one sense yes! This wasn’t synergy. This was 2 activities working against each other.

I see that today in Christians and the Church. I see it in my own life.

There were things in this Corinthian Church that were not healthy. These Christians were wrong and yet there were aspects that were true and right: they were saved, they were filled with the Spirit and they operated with the gifts that the Spirit brings.

This letter did not start from verse 10 but verse 1.

What I mean is Paul didn’t start addressing what was wrong with their lives. He does and he certainly has a good go but he shows us how to get there.

This has become a very important leadership principle for me recently. Last week I was advising a Pastor caught in the middle of a difficult confrontational matter to firstly talk about Jesus; talk about all that Jesus has done for them; talk about the common ground; talk about the good. For starting with the positive is a good springboard to address the negative. 

As with the opening verses you would not believe that the following verses were to a Church that was anything but healthy. Paul does this deliberately.

“I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way – with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge – God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

So how do we approach people who are in the wrong, part 2!

1. Point out the good that you see in them.

Paul reminds them that God has been generous to them. He can see that. He can see the grace that was given and experienced in Jesus. He sees the blessings that Jesus has given them. Jesus has given them everything they need. Paul builds a platform of thankfulness. He is attempting to lift them back on to that stage so that they themselves can see how far they have fallen from it.

• Point out the growth that you see in them.

Paul says that the good he sees has come about because they responded to the testimony that he and his team had given them about Jesus. “I see the growth in your life. I see the lessons you have learnt. You were really listening to my advice/to my preaching!” This is a challenge to us preachers to preach for long-term growth not short-term response. It is also an encouragement knowing that even the Apostle’s preaching didn’t bring about a perfect church!

• Point out the hope for tomorrow.

Everyone needs a future to live for. Paul is keen to show how God is faithful to them. They have hope because of God and it is found in Jesus. They are kept by Jesus. They have the presence of Jesus. Paul expects them to make it and so should we.

What a beautiful way to confront?!

One more thing. Let’s read the whole 9 verses again and let me identify something to you. Again this is Paul about to confront this Church for things that are not consistent with their faith.

“Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, ² To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours: ³ Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ⁴ I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. ⁵ For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— ⁶ God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. ⁷ Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. ⁸ He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Every sentence contains God, Lord or the name Jesus. There are at least 16 references that are to do with Christ Jesus, God, Lord Jesus Christ, Lord, God our Father, Christ, He, Son and Jesus Christ our Lord. So finally maybe the best way to approach people who are in the wrong if they are Christians is to get their eyes off themselves and others and get them on Him alone who can help to bring about any change that is going to be needed.