The greater the suspicion or skepticism that exists in a message, the more important trust in the messenger becomes. You can only share as much truth with someone as the strength of your relationship will bear. No one with any wisdom is going to attempt to drive a truck weighing 5,000 pounds across a bridge rated for a maximum capacity of 1,000 pounds. Why? Because they know that to do so would result in disaster. Unfortunately, I see well-meaning people almost every day trying to drive 5,000 pounds of truth across a relational bridge that is rated for 1,000 pounds.
I believe the church has much truth to share with society; however, we often forget that truth is best communicated within an atmosphere of trust. Otherwise, we are speaking, but no one is listening. This approach may make the speaker feel good about himself or herself, but it will have little or no positive influence on their intended audience.
One of the most potentially polarizing things Jesus ever said was, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Do I believe this? Absolutely. I have built my entire adult life upon this truth. Nevertheless, I think it’s beneficial for us to remember that Jesus didn’t declare this truth from the mountain top as he gave the Sermon on the Mount or on the plain as he fed the multitude. He proclaimed this truth to his disciples in a small group setting.
So, is there no place for the public declaration of truth? Of course, there is, but in my opinion, the content of our public proclamation needs to contain the centrality of the gospel–not that which is divisive or about behavior. That content is important, but it should be shared face to face in a discipleship context.
The right content shared at the right time in the right context has the potential to build trust and change lives. The right content shared in the wrong context or at the wrong time will not only be disregarded but may even innoculate the hearer from the important truth being shared.
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