One of my purposes in writing daily is to equip readers with a Biblical perspective on a current event so they are able to use it as encouragement to evangelize. That you are able to see an event from a Biblical lens and speak intelligently with the facts about it to someone is certainly a form of evangelization.
Jesus said in Matthew 5:13, "You are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men."
My goal is that this writing provides you with that steady supply of
salt so that you can "Let your light so shine before men." This is a
rough arena. People get angry. Accuse. Judge. Project. Even threaten.
When I tell you about them, it's to give you an example of what happens when you bring truth to the world. It's an example to prepare you for what you might encounter, even among your own Christian brethren.
I want you to know what is out there so that you can have a response. There is a vein of people who absolutely hate Donald Trump. They say they are Christians. I wonder if they are believers in Christ because of what they write to me. They are quick to call names, to imply that I don't have a brain, even to say that I am not saved. If you use my thoughts to make your points, you may face the very same accusations. It takes a tough skin to be in the truth business because to some, truth is not always considered fairly.
Here are a couple of examples from readers:
"It's evident by your words that you are not a Christian sir. That's your choice... Trump goes against everything God says about being godly."
"I resent the fact that you think that I am stupid enough to believe that the Donald has pivoted and is now a stable contender for POTUS."
"With all due respect sir, do you follow the Sound Doctrine of Jesus Christ? Or do you belong to some worldly religion? It will give me a clue as to why a Christian man would vote for someone that is a joke to this election."
See, this is the kind of response one gets when telling it like it is.
Now, the vast majority of responses are respectful and encouraging, but there is a pattern with the rest.
The pattern is one of projection. They call into question your Christianity. What does that tell you?
They call names like racist or bigot.
What does this say about their feelings toward others?
Usually when someone accuses you of something totally out of context, they are accusing you of what they are or what they have done.
The response needs to be done in respect, in love and in firmness.
Holding accountability is a tough job. Being a Christian takes tough skin. Just read how the apostles, watchmen, and prophets were treated.
As you speak out on the issues of the day from a Biblical perspective, be an Ephesians 6 person--speak boldly as you ought to speak, and having done all, stand!
Be encouraged!
When I tell you about them, it's to give you an example of what happens when you bring truth to the world. It's an example to prepare you for what you might encounter, even among your own Christian brethren.
I want you to know what is out there so that you can have a response. There is a vein of people who absolutely hate Donald Trump. They say they are Christians. I wonder if they are believers in Christ because of what they write to me. They are quick to call names, to imply that I don't have a brain, even to say that I am not saved. If you use my thoughts to make your points, you may face the very same accusations. It takes a tough skin to be in the truth business because to some, truth is not always considered fairly.
Here are a couple of examples from readers:
"It's evident by your words that you are not a Christian sir. That's your choice... Trump goes against everything God says about being godly."
"I resent the fact that you think that I am stupid enough to believe that the Donald has pivoted and is now a stable contender for POTUS."
"With all due respect sir, do you follow the Sound Doctrine of Jesus Christ? Or do you belong to some worldly religion? It will give me a clue as to why a Christian man would vote for someone that is a joke to this election."
See, this is the kind of response one gets when telling it like it is.
Now, the vast majority of responses are respectful and encouraging, but there is a pattern with the rest.
The pattern is one of projection. They call into question your Christianity. What does that tell you?
They call names like racist or bigot.
What does this say about their feelings toward others?
Usually when someone accuses you of something totally out of context, they are accusing you of what they are or what they have done.
The response needs to be done in respect, in love and in firmness.
Holding accountability is a tough job. Being a Christian takes tough skin. Just read how the apostles, watchmen, and prophets were treated.
As you speak out on the issues of the day from a Biblical perspective, be an Ephesians 6 person--speak boldly as you ought to speak, and having done all, stand!
Be encouraged!
No comments:
Post a Comment