As Christians our presence needs to be noticeable and make a difference in the world. Too often though, it seems Christians are noticeable for all the wrong reasons.
I saw an example of this recently. A woman known as a Christian, overreacted creating a huge fuss over what was a trivial situation. The result was she not only drew attention to herself but cast all Christians in a bad light, because the world doesn’t discriminate. If one Christian, or one who claims to be Christian, does or says something wrong, we all end up getting lumped in the same category.
Yes, there are times when we need to speak up and make our voice heard but it’s like parenting. We need to decide which issues are important and which are not. Also a lot depends on the way we respond.
Recently a couple of us felt compelled not to participate in an activity all the rest of our group were doing, because we viewed it as against our beliefs and a core issue. Peer pressure is hard for adults too. It’s not easy to stand against the majority. But it was an issue worth standing against. We simply said we would not participate and gently explained why we were not comfortable with the idea.
Sometimes people can be belligerent when defending their faith or trying to convince others to believe. The key is gently letting our feelings be known. Peter obviously felt similarly for he urges believers to, ‘sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you,’ 1 Peter 3:15. But notice how we are to do it ‘with gentleness and reverence.’
So before you object and make yourself noticeable, think:
Is the issue important enough to warrant it? In other words is it a salvation issue or one that attacks your beliefs? If it’s not then, maybe let it go.
If it is a crucial issue, be careful about the manner in which you respond. Believers are urged ‘not to be quarrelsome’ but be ‘patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition,’ 2 Timothy 2:24-25.
Similarly we are told to make sure ‘Our speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were with salt, so you may know how you should respond to each person,’ Colossians 4:6. And respond to each situation.
Bible verses from the New American Standard Version
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