The two tribes I talked about in my last blog post (tolerance at all cost or truth at all cost) represent extreme stereotypes of Christ-followers, though not completely removed from true-to-life examples. Most have bought into one of two important forces in the spread of God’s kingdom in our world.

I believe that there are two powerful forces that must be present in the Church if we are to effectively fulfill the Great Commission. These two forces are very good, but they become very bad if they exist without the counterbalance of the other.

I often see people living out one of these forces, but not the other (at least not in a way that brings its full influence).

Read 1 Peter 2:11,12 in the New Living Translation and see if you can name the two forces:

Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world (1 Peter 2:11,12 NLT).

Do you see the two positive forces needed for the advance of the Gospel? Come on give it a guess.