So I said, “The thing that you are doing is not good. Ought you not to walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts of the nations our enemies? - Nehemiah 5:9
I have a person who is very close to me, albeit not as close as we should be. The impediment is how this person sees Christianity. He is gruff and bristles at the mention of our faith. As far as he is concerned, Christians are self-righteous hypocrites and moralistic busybodies. Sadly, I often agree with his assessment when I hear and see how some Christians speak and behave. I can understand his consternation. We are warned by the Apostle Peter that we should expect the condemnation and scoffing of unbelievers. “. . . knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires.” - 2 Peter 3:3.So as a God-fearing Christian I have to ask myself, “are the criticisms warranted?” Despite the prophecies, ‘what are Christians doing that elicits this response from unbelievers?’ “For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” - Romans 2:24.
The spirit of anger within Christians often exposes us to criticism not only of ourselves but of our very faith. And it is hard to square what we preach with what we say sometimes. I am often guilty of this foible. Christians see a world gone mad with unbelief and an emphasis on the sinful. It angers us when the false gospel routinely paints a deceitful picture of God bestowing His grace upon sinners regardless of their spiritual condition. Perhaps we should be more concerned with our own spiritual condition. Our prayers should reflect repentance for our own missteps. “O God, you know my folly; the wrongs I have done are not hidden from you. Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord God of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel.” - Psalm 69:5-6.
Too often we Christians are guilty of the works of the flesh. Are we guilty of the very things we accuse unbelievers of? “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” - Romans 2:1. Enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, and envy are all examples of the things we Christians should avoid at all costs. Rather than showing intolerance and anger toward an unbelieving world we are commanded to exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” - Galatians 5:22-23. Were these characteristics what the world sees in us, their scoffing would dry up because there would be nothing to charge us with. Their accusations would return to them empty!
To exhibit any of the other gifts depends upon the first, love. Without love, we cannot show any of the other gifts to our neighbors. Without love, we cannot walk in the truly Christian walk. Love is essential to spiritual growth and following Christ. It is the most important virtue. “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13.
However, the words must not be misconstrued: righteous anger is not forbidden; it is encouraged. We should be angry with the things God is angry with but we should also conduct our words and actions as children of God. “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, . . .” - 2 Timothy 23-25.
God will see to the world in His own time and way. Meanwhile, we should make the world see our Christianity not as a judgmental and hateful cult but as the one true faith in the one true and triune God of the Bible, the God whose justice and wrath are tempered by His mercy and love.
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