Question: How can I graciously stand for a clear gospel message in a church with some people teaching it clearly and others communicating unclearly? ~L.B.

Answer: I am so glad you want to be a clear voice for grace in your congregation. And I am happy that you do not see inconsistency in the message as a reason to leave. A church that is inconsistent about salvation by faith apart from works is different from one that self-consciously rejects it.

How can you stand for a clear gospel in that situation? Here are seven principles that might help.

First, be consistent. “Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Cor 15:58). If you are steadfast in sharing grace over a long time, you can significantly influence the majority’s view. Repetition is the mother of learning. The more consistent you are, the more people will hear about grace; it will sink in, and they will have to think through the issue for themselves.

Second, be clear. “When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan” (1 Cor 2:1 NLT). Communicate simply and clearly. Don’t underestimate how hard it is for people to hear and understand a new view, especially the gospel of grace.  Everyone is carrying years of theological baggage, not to mention sheer intellectual laziness, that it is hard for people to grasp the good news when they first hear it, especially if you explain it confusedly. Salvation is simple. Explain it simply, too.

Third, be flexible. “Welcome anyone who is weak in faith, but don’t argue about disputed matters” (Rom 14:1). Not everything is a fellowship-breaking issue. Not every theological hill is worth dying on. There is room for genuine disagreement among thoughtful Christians on many disputed problems and passages. Be willing to adapt and compromise wherever appropriate to keep the dialogue going. If you require people to agree with you on every single issue, treating every theological disagreement as a zero-sum game, you show that you are not really interested in sharing the grace message so much as narcissistically trying to control others. So, be flexible and keep the main thing the main thing.

Fourth, be logical. “But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet 3:15). It is possible to be correct and to give bad reasons for why you are right. Take time to think through your position to get your facts and arguments right to provide a well-thought-out defense of grace.

Fifth, be a team-player. “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts” (Eccl 4:9). You may not have much influence all by yourself, but an easy way to change that is to become a team player in your local church. Volunteer. Help out. Build coalitions. Put grace into practice and show people that being assured of your salvation is one of the best motivations to serve. Instead of constantly bickering and being divisive, demonstrate how grace people can serve graciously.

Sixth, be realistic. “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and no one is like me. I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: my plan will take place, and I will do all my will” (Isa 46:9-10). You are one person. And you are not in control of this world or of other people. Be faithful in your small circle of influence, but let God be God, and trust that He has a plan.

Seventh, be patient. “Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love…” (Eph 4:1-2). It takes seven years for a child to graduate from elementary school, assuming he attends for six hours a day, five days a week. Imagine how long it might take someone to learn the elementary truths of grace when they may only hear about it once a week for thirty minutes or less. Be patient.

Send your questions or comments to shawn@freegrace.in.

Read his latest book, The Five Points of Free Grace for free, buy it from us, or from Amazon.