When people voice an opinion that is contrary to the beliefs of the Christian faith, should Christians loudly and publicly condemn them for it?
Why, we are to be at peace with our brethren! A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger! Like God, we should be slow to anger and abounding in love! The meek shall inherit the earth!
Okay. Great.
But your ad for Jesus here indicates that that might not always be true?
Christians are the first to comment on social media when they feel that something is wrong. They thump their Bibles and yell out verses and scream that they are right. So if you're really supposed to be meek and humble, why can't you all stop shouting?!
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That statement sums it up perfectly. It was one of the many "Christian" commenters on a Facebook article about gay marriage, and it was surrounded by these comments from non-Christians:
For those of us rooting for everyone to go to heaven, you should read that with a resounding ouch.
What's going on here? We are pushing people to the other side. Away from God. Hell fire and brimstone was once a tactic (albeit primitive and a bit barbaric) that pastors used to "scare" people into Christianity--and it worked! Hell?! People didn't want to go THERE! They wanted to do whatever it took to get out of that!
And today? We're scaring people away from heaven. Hell is looking like the better option than spending eternity with a bunch of people they can't stand and a God they assume they can't stand either.
And it doesn't matter that not all Christians are bullies or hateful. People who are the loudest tend to represent us. The people who are loud tend to be angry and full of criticism and judgment.
And they don't sound like Jesus at all.
Let's take any one of the current controversies lingering on Facebook or Twitter: transgendered people, gay marriage, abortion, Planned Parenthood.
Someone posts an article in defense of one of them (aka not what you as a Christian feel able to support or condone).
You feel disturbed. Angry even. This is not how God intended things to be! There's male and female! Men should not lie with men! Babies have a right to life!
And so, with a mouth full of protests and objections, you hit the comment button and offer your--no, no GOD'S!--take on the issue. You cite Bible verses. You refer to the horribly depraved state our country is in. You tell the poster to repent or else! YOU, SIR, ARE WRONG IN SUPPORTING THIS!
Maybe.
Maybe the issue is against God's will or the Bible.
Maybe they are completely wrong.
But your approach is wrong.
People who don't believe God don't want your Bible verses. And they shouldn't be expected to be correct in the eyes of the church. Your argument is entrenched in something they don't or can't understand, supported by something that is imaginary or archaic in their minds, making what you say completely invalid. It's noise. It doesn't make them feel loved or as if you would welcome them if they ever did drop in to visit your church. You're using jargon that is foreign to them, and it can feel condescending, critical, and like you have sought out to pick on the original poster.
Your comment--even if it is biblically correct--is pointless.
All you've done is start an argument, which is something people have come to expect from us Christians.
And one more person becomes put off by the church--possibly for good.
But I have a right to my religious freedom! I have a right to my opinion and to speak my mind!
Of course you do. You have the right to do all kinds of things.
But it doesn't make those things right things to do.
It's like good ol' Dr. Phil says to the people on his show who are obsessed with being right at the expense of relationships: "You can be right, or you can be happy."
And to that I put a different spin on it: "You can be right, or you can be a witness."
The best example I know of how to respond to people who are wrong was Jesus.
He was arrested for being a liar and a false teacher, of which he was neither. He was sold for thirty pieces of silver by his disciple Judas and denied by good friend Peter. All of these people were wrong.
And not once did he argue with them.
He let Judas kiss his cheek.
He healed one of the arresting guard's ears when Peter tried to defend Jesus.
When put on trial, he merely answered the questions the Sanhedrin asked him, in that yes, he was the Son of God.
He was silent when Peter denied him.
There's no screaming or condemnation. There's no condescension or hatred. There's no hope for karma or retribution.
There is only steadiness.
There is only grace.
There is only Jesus.
And when he drew his last breath, even the unbelieving proclaimed, "Surely, this was the Son of God."
Being the light, love, and grace of Jesus is the best and quietest argument and the most effective way to draw people to Jesus.
And if later on an opportunity presents itself to share Scripture that has been meaningful or helpful to you, do it. If people really want to know your stance on something and why, present it with respect and kindness.
But overall, you should understand that your purpose on this earth is not to tell people that they are wrong.
It is rare that telling someone they are wrong will result in converting them to your point of view. When people are engaged in vicious debate--especially when it regards a sensitive issue or something they are passionate about--what do they do? They dig in their heels and become further implanted in their position.
Be attractive. Be a magnet in your ability to maintain peace when things aren't as you would have them. Season your words with love and grace.
Don't let being "right" in an argument cause you to lose the war of representing Jesus properly.
And if abandoning the need to be right seems too ridiculous to you, then crack open that Bible you love to quote so much, and delve deep into the account of the ministry of Jesus. Be reminded of who he is.
The one who sat quietly with the woman at the well. The man who chose to sit with sinners and commune with heathens. Who commanded us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Who didn't ever say a word to Peter about his denial of him in his darkest time. Who welcomed a prostitute to wash his feet with her hair. Who called for peace and humility. Who was only quick to be angry with the leaders of the church who knew better and used his name to push their own agenda.
He was always right. But he never had to argue.
And people believed.
Perhaps the Jesus you think you're yelling for isn't a Jesus that existed at all.
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