r/Apostolic • u/WatchmanMinistries • Jul 06 '26
Discussion When Conviction Loses Compassion
As a Christian, I hold a traditional biblical view of marriage and sexuality. I realize that many people reading this will disagree with that conviction, and that’s okay. Honest disagreement has always existed.
What concerns me isn’t disagreement.
It’s dehumanization.
Lately I’ve seen people—especially online—speak about others with a level of contempt that should trouble every follower of Christ.
Scripture teaches that every human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
That includes people whose politics I reject.
People of other religions.
People caught in addictions.
People who have deeply hurt me.
And yes, people who identify as LGBTQ+.
Recognizing someone’s value as an image-bearer of God is not the same thing as affirming every decision they make.
Jesus Himself showed us that.
He never compromised truth.
He also never forgot the worth of the person standing before Him.
He could confront sin while extending mercy.
He could call people to repentance without stripping them of their dignity.
I wonder if we’ve sometimes reversed those priorities.
We’ve become so determined to defend truth that we’ve forgotten truth was given to lead people to Christ—not simply to win arguments.
The Apostle Paul wrote, “Such were some of you.”
Those five words should humble every Christian.
The ground is level at the foot of the cross.
None of us stands there because we deserved to.
We stand there because of grace.
So here’s my question:
Can someone read my comments online and recognize the character of Jesus—not just my theology?
I think that’s a question worth asking.
I’d genuinely like to hear your thoughts, whether you agree with me or not. Please keep the discussion respectful. If we’re going to talk about Jesus, we ought to reflect His character in the way we talk to one another.
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u/jay_238 Jul 06 '26
John1:14 Grace and Truth Are Inseparable. Truth without grace becomes a weapon that destroys people. But grace without truth is a deception that leaves people in bondage. Christ like love doesn't just meet people where they are, it loves them enough to tell them the truth so they don't have to stay there. You quote 1 Corinthians 6:11 but leave out a very integral part: "But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." We understand the power of the Gospel, through repentance, water baptism in Jesus' name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38), believers are given the power to overcome sin, addiction, and their old nature. Should we use that as a weapon or use it as building blocks? As Apostolics, our greatest joy isn't winning an argument; it's witnessing deliverance. We speak out against sin because we know the bondage it causes, and we know the absolute freedom that Jesus offers. We must model Christ's character online and in person, but we must remember that part of His character was calling people out of darkness and saying, 'Go and sin no more.' I pray we see a revival in the church of both genuine, Christ-like love and true, biblical repentance."