I had an interesting conversation the other day.
I was speaking with a fellow Christian, and they shared with me that they are not really “an Old Testament Christian,” but more of a “New Testament Christian.” What they meant by those words was this: They chose to love people just as they are, and they never, under any circumstances, told anyone else how to live. (They cited Jesus as an example of someone who lived such a life.)
On the surface, their words sounded kind and compassionate, but the truth of the matter revealed a bleaker reality.
This person’s beliefs on the Bible—that the “Old Testament God” was a lawgiver, and the “New Testament Jesus” was just a kind soul—displays a poor understanding of both sides of the Scriptures.
Jesus was certainly a loving man, but there is much more to Him than that.
Understanding Jesus’ Mission
The Old Testament is often portrayed as a collection of rules and judgment, but it also shows a God who provides, protects, and shows mercy to His people. Jesus was a physical embodiment of that very same God.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus addressed anger, lust, prayer, and the condition of the human heart. Throughout His ministry, Jesus called people to live differently, not merely to do as they pleased (and to feel good while doing it).
Jesus came to earth for the broken and sinful—not to leave them comfortable in their sinful condition. The change that Jesus presented was drastic…
For many Old Testament Israelites, the assumption was that obedience produced a man’s righteousness. If you obey God’s commands, then that makes you a righteous person. But Jesus flipped that framework entirely, revealing to His followers that righteousness can only come through one thing alone—faith. It is the exact opposite of what once was believed!
Our faith leads to righteousness, and that righteousness leads to obedience.
It is this distinction that is essential to understanding Jesus’ love and ministry.
True Love Confronts
Matthew 18 provides a practical example of how Jesus expects us to respond to sin. When someone we know personally is caught up in sin, Jesus commands us to call them out over it. We are to “point out their sin” to them, and to do so privately (Matthew 18:15). The purpose for calling out sin privately is to seek the good of the offending party—not making a scene, but seeking restoration.
If that private rebuke fails, then Jesus tells us to bring in other people for a second conversation. By involving a second and third witness, it provides a greater degree of clarity, accountability, and yes, even love.
However, if the willful sinner still refuses to change, then Jesus commands us to tell the church as a whole. And I am using that word intentionally: COMMANDS.
Even more flagrant than that, Jesus’ final command on addressing the sinner is to commit that person to exile. Yes, you read that correctly. Exile. Jesus commands His followers to kick unrepentant sinners out of their churches.
How is that for treating someone “nicely”?
Here’s the reality: Jesus’ love is not passive love. Jesus absolutely has an agenda to push. He has things that He likes, and things that He dislikes.
The idea that it is “nice” or “Christian” to not intrude on someone’s life is a decision of personal convenience. It is a cop out; it is self-preservation; it is merely helping yourself avoid uncomfortable conversations.
The love that Jesus commands us to have is one that is willing to speak truth. Even when the truth is difficult to share, true care aims for the highest good—not simply comfort—in another.
Redefining “Nice”
So then, I ask you… Was Jesus nice?
Well, our answer probably depends on your definition of nice. If “nice” means avoiding conflict entirely and letting sinners remain as they are, then no, Jesus was not very nice during His time on earth. He came with a different mission entirely. But, if we define “nice” as someone who is patient, merciful, and deeply invested in the lives of others, then yes, Jesus was profoundly and unendingly nice.
Jesus was the nicest man who ever lived.
He loved people enough to be honest.
Blessings,
