An entirely different culture.

Christianity in its true form, is really at heart an entirely different culture—and that's what can make it so hard to actually embrace. Jesus even said that He did not come to bring peace, but a sword, in that,

"I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;  and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." (Mt 10:36-38)

We have to leave culture behind, including the culture of our families. That's a tough thing to do—almost like boot camp. 

Dr. Wilson or: Cancer's Bad!

A doctor can't assist or help someone with cancer unless he confronts his patient with the unwelcome reality of the disease. Christians can't assist someone with sin (spiritual cancer) unless they have an initial confrontation; but at the same time, we have to keep in mind that we're not adversaries. In fact, we are required by God to admonish one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, 

“We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.” 

The word for "admonish" means to offer instruction through warning. "You do have cancer, but we can fix it." Would you? Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says of admonishment, "The difference between 'admonish' and 'teach' seems to be that, whereas the former has mainly in view the things that are wrong and call for warning, the latter has to do chiefly with the impartation of positive truth." 

Cancer's ugly. Doctors don't like telling people that they have it. But it's the first step to assistance. 

Rebuke!

Although I've never felt that I could accept pay to preach, and generally need and desire to learn so much more, I can't help but share the Word when I get a chance. Even though it's a passion, I still sometimes find it difficult. 2 Tim 2:2 says, "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

The hardest part for me is rebuking people. I don't like it, and I often feel like it comes across as unloving sniper-fire at someone else. However, I realized recently that "rebuke" is coupled with "all longsuffering and teaching." Instead of saying, "you nigh-vagrant almost-drunkard," I should say, "Ah ha! What foul yet common malady causes thy spiritual malaise? Stand fast! It can take a while to cure, but Christ in us will totally help us slay this foul knave of great alcohol imbibement!"

Ok, so maybe a little less "bolde knights of olde," (scribes seriously had too many leftover Es to work with) but the point is that a rebuke in a vacuum can't accomplish as much as a rebuke where you WORK WITH someone to help them achieve their potential!

Sleeping dogs.

Do you ever see a Christian doing something that's spiritually damaging to themselves and others, but saying anything seems tough? Often it's honestly easier to just leave your brother or sister alone and not go through confrontation, because it'll all come out in the wash, anyway, right?

Although it's tough to hear, such inaction is one of the reasons Israel fell. "His watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber." (Is 56:10) Often we fear the unknown, and the conflict inherent with addressing sin has unknown outcomes: will he/she hate me? Will I be loving enough? What would I want for me?

REMEMBER, even though it's tough, "He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." Make sure your motives are love and kindness, not just condemnation and outrage, because "the kindness of God leads you to repentance." (James 5:20; Rom 2:4)