Christians, Stop Using an Old Method in a New Age
By: Thomas E. Mcdaniels
Tags: Spirituality, Faith, Christianity, Religion, Lifestyle

The hostility toward Christianity continues to rise. Are we surprised?

Jesus warned us that these times were coming.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” (John 15:18, NKJV)

Surprise. Surprise. Surprise. Remember Gomer Pyle? Dated, for sure.

Why are we surprised when the scripture comes true? The scripture reminds us that trials or hostility toward us should not surprise us.

Dear friends, don’t be bewildered or surprised when you go through the fiery trials ahead, for this is no strange, unusual thing that is going to happen to you. (I Peter 4:12, TLB)

Unusual times

We live in unusual times. Civility and tolerance have shifted. Incivility has no boundaries. It is active in politics, on our streets, social media, and religion.

Negative rhetoric is exhausting.

Ramona Grigg said:

I don’t want that anymore. I don’t want to do it anymore. (Because, yes, I’ve done it, too, in those early days when blind, furious rage was all I could manage.) I want to be among people who fight for decency by being civil. I want to go back to being strong without being cruel. There’s enough cruelty out there without it stinking up my own circles. On both Facebook and Twitter, I’m dropping or blocking people who use rage as their only tool. I don’t want to be around them anymore. Rage is contagious, it’s exhausting, it’s meaningless in the long run. Rage is a catalyst. It’s never a solution.

Hatred, rage, and incivility are a part of our culture in the ‘20s.

Should we get used to it? Let’s hope not.

Be a part of the solution

Hello, Christians. God commands us how to live.

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, NKJV)

Christians, wake up.

“Therefore, He says: ‘Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.’ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:14–16, NKJV)

We do not fight people. The scripture says the days are evil. And yes, there are people prone to do wrong things, but there are people who are loving and kind. Lots of them.

We forget that. We also forget that believers are to redeem the time of evil days.

What is a biblical response to hatred and injustice?

Never forget you are not in a battle with people

Our battles are with spiritual enemies and not people. Do not pick a fight with haters. Don’t do it.

Be reminded:

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, ESV).

Stop defending yourself

Do not defend yourself. Jesus taught us to turn the other cheek.

“But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew 5:39, NKJV)

Some think this is a weakness. Is it?

Would you say it’s easier to fight back or turn your cheek?

Turning away from a fight requires more strength than fighting back.

There are exceptions. If you are persecuted for Christ, you are to turn your cheek when others slap you. Really?

However, if someone breaks into your house to steal your property, you have every right to defend your property.

Standing down for Christ is a witness to others. It makes little sense, but it is a method of God’s eternal strategy.

The greatest way to get God results is to do things God’s way.

The next point will go against the grain of the aggressive Christian. Let’s put it in perspective. The big question is: have Christians provoked their enemies? Maybe we have.

Has the behavior of the church created hostility toward Christians? This is a question believers must consider.

It’s time for Christians to live differently

Living out our Christian faith in practical ways is far more effective than defending our theology.

Have you ever met a Christian who failed to work hard, hates others and judges everyone? Most of us have. This is a part of life. There is none perfect.

But what if we kept our faith semi-silent and worked hard, loved others, and judged no one? Our deeds would speak louder than our words.

In this age of rage, should believers change their style of witness?

Rather than let everyone know about your faith, can we live in such a way that someone would say, “What is different about you?”

Yes, we are to share our faith. How? By witnessing to everyone, or by living in such a way that people see our faith?

“For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (1 Peter 2:20–23, NKJV)

St Francis of Assisi said:

“Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

Maybe we should try a new method…only use words when necessary.

Thank you for reading this post. You can find other inspiring articles at thomasmcdaniels.com.