Christians Shouldn't be Easily Offended or Quick to Turn Away from Non-Believers
by Teresa (1,509)
Freelance writer/Speaker
I will never forget a conversation I overheard while in a department store when I was a new Christian. I won’t bore you with the details, but suffice it to say that it made me angry. For one, their arrogance in the matter was enough to make me throw up, and for another, it made me feel unworthy to be a Christian. Particularly because they were trash talking people who were just like me; or at least how I was not too long before I happened across this conversation. Do not misunderstand, I am not excusing sin in anyway, but their attitudes were less than Christ-like and they spoke so loudly, it was as if they wanted everyone to know this was NOT who they were and that they are so thankful they are Christians. Still new in faith, my thoughts were – well la-dee-da for you – I hope I never come off as arrogant as you now that I am a Christian.
That was over 20 years ago, and while I admit to being passionate about my new found faith and wanted to convert the devil himself, I always kept my attitude in check about coming off self-righteous and arrogant. What comes to mind at this moment is the warning from the Apostle Peter on being careful not to forget we have been cleansed from sin.
To this day, I run across Christians who have strong issues with me because I have some great friends who are not Christians and they do things that the Bible says they should not do. I take my stand as I see it scripturally, and respond something like this – Perhaps, you can relate and/or maybe even be encouraged. Still others may completely disagree with me and tell me I am a compromising Christian, with all due respect and humility, I am okay with it – it won’t be the first time, and most certainly be the last time. My aim here is not to defend my own conscience but to shed some light on what the Bible has to say to those of faith in how they respond to those outside of the Christian Faith. Your input is welcomed.
"I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet, I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world. Or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolater, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner – not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside?” 1 Corinthians 5:9-12
Before moving forward, I would like to clarify the biblical definition of a Christian – lest there is any room for confusion. According to the word of God, a Christian is a person who has fully surrendered their life to Christ. He or she has recognized their need for a Savior and has repented of their sin and has genuinely become a new person. There is evidence of true conversion by changes in their character and behavior. This is not to say they are perfect, but there is definite change. Just because a person claims to be a Christian does not make them one; their lack of desire to know the things of God, or desire to please Him is witness to this fact.)
Later in the book of 1 Corinthians we read these words from Paul:
“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more; and to the Jews I became a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those without the law; to the weak, I have became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.” 1 Corinthian 9:19-23
In my opinion, these two passages fit nicely together to accomplish a balanced faith; on one hand, we are to admonish our brothers in sisters in Christ when they are in sin – to bring them back to fellowship with God; on the other hand, we are to be gentle to those outside of the faith by being an example of what it means to have a relationship with God – to meet them right were they are instead of demanding that they live a certain way before we will have anything to do with them.
Paul is not saying that he literally does what “they do” but that he puts himself in their place – why do they do the things they do? What has happened in their life that has taken them to such and such a place, and perhaps most importantly, he probably is quick to remember his choices in life prior to his surrender to the call of God on his life.
I believe we Christians have it wrong more often than not – we give grace to the Christian and judgment to the non-Christian when biblically, we are to give judgment to the Christian and grace to the non-Christian. Yet in our rightful judgment, we are to exercise grace and humility, knowing that we ourselves are far from perfection.
So why are we easily offended when it comes to the behavior of others? Why cringe or roll our eyes at the slightest hint of ungodliness? This is not becoming all things to others. I am not saying participate in sin, I am not saying approve – but I am saying we need to have the heart of Christ that responds with a desire for them to know so much more about the love and holiness of God. But if all they see is our self-righteous behavior, how will any door be open to share the good news of Jesus Christ?
We as believers have the ability and responsibility to live in this world without compromising our faith and convictions in any way and still be a friend to those outside of the faith. God tells us not to love the earthly philosophies of life, but He never told us not to love or connect with the people of the world. After all, it wasn’t the stuffy Christians who had no time for me that drew me, it was the ones who accepted me just as I was – bad mouth, bad behavior, and all – in their silent acceptance and honesty I was drawn – to the point that I changed my behavior in there presence out of respect for what they stood for – and eventually I fell to my knees to stand for the same thing.
I leave us with one final admonishment:
“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which we have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you ay be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue, knowledge, to knowledge, self-control, to self-control, perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is short-sighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:3-9
Remember, it's not a person's outward behavior that will earn them salvation, it is a changed heart that recognizes their need for a Savior.
Zero compromise plus zero arrogance equal salt and light.
© Teresa Ortiz
Article submitted Thursday, December 10, 2009 & read 583 times.
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» left by Marijo Phelps(387)(98 days 11 hours ago.)
Oh, oh, oh, GOOD stuff and clarifying what you are and aren't saying, are and aren't doing!This quote " I am not saying participate in sin, I am not saying approve – but I am saying we need to have the heart of Christ that responds with a desire for them to know so much more about the love and holiness of God. But if all they see is our self-righteous behavior, how will any door be open to share the good news of Jesus Christ?" captures the whole piece in a nut shell ... well it did until I got to your final quote.This is a 5 course meal at a 5 star restaurant! MarijoRespond to this comment
» left by Teresa (1,509)
HI Marijo,
Thanks! I am adjusting and feel confident I have found a good flow again and should be writing at least twice a week now :-) Praying about what the Lord would have me learn and share. Blessings :-)
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» left by Lisa from Eugene, OR (97 days 9 hours ago.)
Hi Teresa,This is very well written and interesting topic. I think it is sometimes hard to know how to respond as Christians but you explained it very well backed up with the scripture references. I hope you are doing well & miss you!LisaRespond to this comment
» left by Teresa (1,509)
Hi Lisa,
It can be a touchy subject, but I do think it is one we have to be mindful of in our everyday lives. Thanks for your faithful support - blessings to you always, Teresa
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