Read the news, turn on a TV or radio news broadcast or scan the social media pages and you will see that Christians are being ridiculed, condemned and persecuted. It’s not just happening overseas in a distant country but even in the US it is viewed as negative to be called a Christian. Look at the responses of some who are Christians and you may cringe at how they act and react. Read their words or hear what they say and it can cause you to cringe at being associated in the same group as them.
People who are involved in ministry must pay attention because others are watching what they say and do. It not only reflects what those people think of them but it impacts what others think of Jesus.
Jesus as Our Role Model
Controversy for Christians isn’t anything new. Jesus had to deal with it in His day and it has continued through the ages. One of the challenges for Christians today is to know what to say and when. Should we speak up and risk offending others or should we stay quiet in the name of peace and harmony? The answer often isn’t black and white, but we can learn from how Jesus responded and who He responded to.
- Condemnation – take a look at all of the individuals Jesus ministered to and you will never see an instance where He condemned them without attempting to woo them to Himself. He was far more likely to accept them and tell others not to condemn them. The woman caught in adultery was told to “go and sin no more,” but Jesus never let her attackers touch her.
- Look at your own life first – Jesus told those attackers that the person without sin could cast the first stone. We must also remember that we are sinners saved by grace and far from imperfect when dealing with other imperfect people.
- Stand up for your beliefs when it matters – on the other hand, Jesus was never one to back down from the religious and political leaders of the day. His harsh words were reserved for those who held leadership roles rather than the masses or individuals. He was not afraid to stand up against hypocrisy and other attitudes and actions that went against God’s laws.
Application to Today
Laws have changed and many of the situations we face are different from Jesus’ time, but the basic issues of sin, the sinner and Christianity have not changed. We are still viewed differently by the rest of the world. Those we minister to must be treated with love and compassion, encouraging them to seek what and Who has changed our lives.
At the same time, we must be bold in our faith, and not afraid to stand out and against the crowd. We must never be afraid to express our faith but it must be done in a way that honors God rather than just to antagonize others.
