Over the years, I’ve help start indigenous churches in various housing units in our local jail by going in and making disciples.

I remember one of those relational, participatory gatherings particularly well. It was with a group of men in one of those fellowships.

A new man joined us who was deeply troubled because he kept hearing how his son was getting into all kinds of trouble.

He couldn’t understand why because (he claimed) he loved his son and was always telling him so.

I felt God stir something in my spirit, looked him straight in the eye, and said that was a lie.

He didn’t love his son, I continued, but loved his drugs more – and thus had not cared enough to be part of his son’s life as he grew up. This had deeply wounded his son, who felt unloved and worthless, and was now acting out.

I then sat silent, firmly fixed on his stunned gaze with resolve tinged with compassion.

Once he got past the shock, he collapsed on his knees sobbing and admitted it was true – he loved his drugs more than his son.

As he then openly confessed and repented, he found Jesus that morning …

And also found God’s forgiveness.

But it would not have happened without first having the compassionate boldness to confront him with the bad news of his own lies and deceit.

in my experience, those who try to candy-coat the Gospel seldom produce real fruit.

The real Gospel is raw and edgy, and it is salvation for those who are lost and know it.

Jesus also went to the lost and demanded repentance while showing great compassion.

If you’re willing to follow in His footsteps, don’t be surprised that you too will start seeing transforming redemption in the lives of others.

And who knows? Maybe some real church too!

~ Jim Wright