Let’s Be Christian

2 Timothy 2:24-26 (ESV)
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

I’m involved in Facebook groups for Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Muslims, and atheists, and I’m somewhat surprised by the way people in those groups who call themselves Christians present themselves.  I see this especially in the Muslim vs Christian group, but it appears in all the other groups I’m a member of as well.  Some Christians throw insults, are disrespectful, and just generally obnoxious.  That’s not our role in the world, is it?

I understand that we get angry with some things that are said about our faith and even about our Savior.  I get angry sometimes myself.  But, we always have time to calm down before responding.  We have time to pray, to spend a little time in the Word rather than slash out in anger.

I’ve even had Christians argue with me that they can be disrespectful and strike out as Jesus did in the temple with the moneychangers.  Jesus struck out in righteous anger, yes, but He was striking out at those corrupting His Father’s house, not someone who disagreed with Him on a theological point or who came from another religious system.  He was patient with gentiles and people like Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman.  Even the Jews in John chapter 8 were treated with respect by Jesus though they sought to kill Him.  True, they were doing the devil’s work, and Jesus pointed that out to them.  We can do that as well to those who are purposely and knowingly combating the gospel.

Most often, though, when we’re talking with people with whom we disagree, we’re talking with people who are deceived.  Our job is to help them better understand the gospel, and as Peter says in 1 Peter 3:18, “…with gentleness and respect.”

God has assigned us the job of showing the Truth of the Bible and the love of Christ.  We don’t accomplish that with insults.  Everyone we speak with is someone for whom Christ died.  Let’s treat them that way.

Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1).  Would we be willing to say that online and ask the people there to hold us accountable?  It might start a revolution of courteous loving Christians in Facebook.  Worth a try.