The watchmen on the wall found me
as they made their rounds in the city.
They beat me, they bruised me; they took away my cloak
those watchmen on the walls."
Song of Solomon 5:7
as they made their rounds in the city.
They beat me, they bruised me; they took away my cloak
those watchmen on the walls."
Song of Solomon 5:7
How do you handle hostility? There seems to be a growing resistance toward Christianity. I know it's been obvious ever since Jesus came to earth but it just seems to be escalating on a global scale. America is certainly not exempt. Evangelicals, in particular, seem to be the target. If you make a personal decision to live by Biblical morals you are easily identified as judgmental. Even though Bill O'Reilly regularly highlights this injustice in search of a juicy debate, sympathy is hard to come by.
People just don't like Christians these days.
So how do you handle hostility? Seriously. How do you respond to someone who hates you - not because you have wronged them personally but simply because of what you believe? I've been praying about it. I'm not sure how to handle hate up close. It's going to happen, I know it. There's a growing number of "watchmen on the walls," people watching for the right opportunity to accuse you as discriminatory. They will attempt to ruin you - "beating and bruising" your reputation, your livelihood and even your faith. Some of them will succeed. How will you respond?
I want to ready with a loving response.
So far, Paul is helping me. "We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world" (1 Corinthians 4:12 & 13). What a different perspective. Work hard, stay productive and mind your own business. When people insult you stay calm and keep your thoughts to yourself. Rather than defending yourself, take the hits. Above all, convey that you care about the person. That's not easy - but when you accept the reality that we are the "scum of the earth", it is easier to shake off offense. Jesus did it.
I think the American church needs to adopt a new identity. We can always refer to 1 Peter 2's "pick me up" on the bad days, but we need to accept that we are "the refuse of the world". We really expect much better treatment. Typically, we ask the world to appreciate our faith. How did that ever become the standard? That's not even Biblical.
Humility doesn't come by winning an argument or even defending your rights. It's a far more risky road where angry, hurting people "take away your cloak" and don't have any remorse about it. But humility is the only chance we've got to convey authentic love to a lost soul. I could be one of them.
FYI ... There's a growing number of people asking the same question. I am leading a special service called "The Loving Response" on Sunday, March 29 - 7pm. at Freedom Valley Worship Center in Gettysburg, PA. You're welcome to join us.
People just don't like Christians these days.
So how do you handle hostility? Seriously. How do you respond to someone who hates you - not because you have wronged them personally but simply because of what you believe? I've been praying about it. I'm not sure how to handle hate up close. It's going to happen, I know it. There's a growing number of "watchmen on the walls," people watching for the right opportunity to accuse you as discriminatory. They will attempt to ruin you - "beating and bruising" your reputation, your livelihood and even your faith. Some of them will succeed. How will you respond?
I want to ready with a loving response.
So far, Paul is helping me. "We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world" (1 Corinthians 4:12 & 13). What a different perspective. Work hard, stay productive and mind your own business. When people insult you stay calm and keep your thoughts to yourself. Rather than defending yourself, take the hits. Above all, convey that you care about the person. That's not easy - but when you accept the reality that we are the "scum of the earth", it is easier to shake off offense. Jesus did it.
I think the American church needs to adopt a new identity. We can always refer to 1 Peter 2's "pick me up" on the bad days, but we need to accept that we are "the refuse of the world". We really expect much better treatment. Typically, we ask the world to appreciate our faith. How did that ever become the standard? That's not even Biblical.
Humility doesn't come by winning an argument or even defending your rights. It's a far more risky road where angry, hurting people "take away your cloak" and don't have any remorse about it. But humility is the only chance we've got to convey authentic love to a lost soul. I could be one of them.
FYI ... There's a growing number of people asking the same question. I am leading a special service called "The Loving Response" on Sunday, March 29 - 7pm. at Freedom Valley Worship Center in Gettysburg, PA. You're welcome to join us.
