2 Corinthians 5:11. "Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men; but what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience."

Paul is describing a difficult line we have to walk as Christians, one that often is misinterpreted by the world. Paul knows, as all Christians do, that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:10). The "we all" there is not just Christians, but everyone - every single person who will ever live! Because we know this, Paul rightly says we must try to persuade others to come into the faith. This is our duty - because we know the "fear of the Lord" we must try to help others know it, too, so they are ready when they stand before the judgment seat of Christ! But this persuasion can often come off as preachy and judgmental and, to be honest, it often is. 

It is a very fine line we have to walk between love and persuasion. It involves meeting people where they are and sometimes even walking with them a bit as they go further away from the Church, as Christ did on the road to Emmaus, staying in relationship (if they want to stay in it), while always speaking the truth in charity. It also involves not letting ourselves be persuaded by those with whom we are walking. We have to always be very firm in our faith, so as not to allow the world's ways, which can be very tempting and often sound very reasonable, to lure us away from God.

Even when we are doing this balancing act well, as Paul was, we are often still judged by the outer world. We cannot let that judgment bother us, the only judgment that matters is God's, and what we are is known to Him. If we pray often for His guidance, He will give it to us. If we ask Him to help us walk in humility, He will help us. He will know if we are sincerely trying to do His will, and will guide us away from falling into the traps of pride and judgment. We must simply be honest with ourselves and let Him show us the way.

As we do this, we will make mistakes. There will be times when we should speak up and we fail to, and times when we say something when we should have remained silent. There will be times we give offense without meaning to. As hard as we try, we are not perfect, but we must continue to trust that God sees our efforts for what they are. And we will hope, as Paul does, that those we love know us well enough to know who we are and what we are doing, as Paul hopes the Corinthians do. That is not always a given, though, and even if they do not, we must still continue in our persuasive duty, loving and praying for those who misunderstand and misrepresent us.