There are situations in life when accepting others for who they are can be their death sentence. There is only one way that leads to life and those who walk in their own way will end up in destruction. We cannot accept and approve of those who walk in the way of the flesh. When we can see that they do not know as they should, it is loving on our part to help them see. Even if we have to sometimes express ourselves clearly and lucidly — it is beneficial to let others know their real condition. We cannot allow them to continue in their way because we know that their way leads to death. Their knowledge is incomplete and therefore their thoughts and actions do not lead them in the direction they must go.
So not being approving of someone does not mean that you have not forgiven them. It is rather a sign that you love them and care enough to express your disapproval at their faulty ways and want to help them find their way to life. You feel this way only because you have forgiven them and not because you have not forgiven them.
Forgiving someone alone can enable you to think well for them. If you were unforgiving and hateful, you would not want anything good to happen to those you have not forgiven. On the contrary, if you wish to help someone correct their ways and show them the better way, it is definitely an indication that you’ve forgiven them all their faults and weaknesses and desire the best for them.
Even Jesus countered the unbelievers of his time by being angry at those who professed to know God and yet were so hard hearted to not recognize God when he appeared in their midst. Jesus chided them and asked them to believe in him and the miracles that he did as a testimony of the fact that he was the son of God. The words he spoke were spirit and life but the Pharisees and the Sadducees of his time failed to acknowledge God in their midst and continued to perform unrighteous acts of unbelief and ignorance.
God’s word tells us that people are dying because of ignorance. People need to know the truth of their condition. God reveals their condition to them by telling them who they really are. You are the chosen instrument of God. You are the only Christian message they will read. Sooner or later, their hearts will turn towards the Lord so he can heal them. God had to use strong language because the Pharisees and Sadducees would not humble themselves and were prideful and stubborn. They refused to neither accept God nor accept God’s testimony in spite of seeing and experiencing God’s power through the miracles that Jesus did. In other words, they entirely refused to believe.
God wants us to be simple at heart as children and be understanding of each other’s needs and rise up to every occasion and opportunity that is available to us to bring the knowledge of the truth to unbelievers.
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. — Eph 5:16
As we do that with a sincere and pure heart, we can be assured of God’s protection and presence, even when they do not understand.
Unforgiveness is the opposite of love and those who indulge in it are filled with hatred. On the other hand, those of us who try to correct those we love even to our own detriment while risking our reputation with them are performing the greatest act of loving service to them.
We do all this so that their eyes may be opened and their heart may be set free. Without Jesus they have no life in them. We want them to partake of the blessed presence of Christ in their life. It is our duty to love our family members/ those outside the kingdom of God with the love of Christ. Christ forgives those who come to him with a penitent heart.
The sinner who was put to the cross because he deserved it was penitent when he saw that Jesus having done no sin was also put to the cross. He saw Jesus as Lord and his heart was healed instantly in that moment. This reveals that Jesus is always so keen to save those who look to him as the only way to eternal life. When their eyes are opened and they come face to face with their Creator and God, they will enjoy the true Joy of life and experience the true Bliss of heaven. Why would anyone want to give such great riches to someone who they have not forgiven? So do not feel bad when you do not approve of someone because they have not come to the light.
However we may be tempted to use strong language. The word of God teaches us,
“Let your speech be always in grace, having been seasoned with salt, to know how it behooves you to answer each one.” - Col 4:6
So we must be patient and self-controlled. We should try to attain our objective by being peaceable and kind. Instead of speaking harshly to people, watch yourself and show them love. It is only when you are Christ like to them that you can help them experience what you are experiencing in your own heart — the freedom that is found only in Christ. When you lead by your own good example by not being too critical and being harsh with others, you can be assured that they will come to the understanding that the God that we serve is also very gentle and kind to us. God is glorified through our good actions toward unbelievers.
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven. — Mat 5:16 AMP
We may not be a perfect example of Christ but we should definitely take an initiative to show them love and help them experience the joys of heaven. When you don’t show them any animosity and be loving at all times, you help them see the way. They will be touched in their heart and they will be drawn to the love of Christ. So love them, cherish them, care for them and believe the best for them and believe that God is certainly going to do wonders in their hearts because you too were like them at one point of time but God had mercy on you and made you among his saints. So you can be very certain God is doing the same miracles on your precious ones and they too will come to the saving knowledge of Christ. Let us praise him. Hallelujah.