NOTE: Following this article are links to resources for dealing with abuse, anger, etc.
Beep, beep, sh chr chr shhhh chr chr "Welcome!" The computer screen changed rapidly as the seasoned user navigated quickly through buttons and windows. In just a matter of seconds, she entered the world of her favorite chat room, a place where people can post their ideas.
Across her screen came the comment, "Isn't it the Christian thing to show love and to be affirming to everybody, even those of alternative lifestyles? After all, didn't God make them that way?"
Within a matter of seconds another person responded with: "I don't agree. Isn't it the Christian thing to warn them of their sin and encourage them to repent? Isn't everybody tempted to do wrong in one way or another and aren't we responsible for how we actually respond?"
Then came a third person's message, "Who can say what is the Christian thing to do? Isn't it a personal matter that each must decide for oneself?"
So, what would you do?
1) Avoid this conversation and politely "walk away"?2) Agree with the first person?
3) Agree with the second person?
4) Agree with the third person?
5) Other?: _______________
What do you think Jesus would do?
Whether we realize it or not, conversations such as this are small indicators of the radical differences existing between the belief systems people today possess. Some people are skeptical that Truth exists or that if it does exist that it can be known. Accordingly, they believe that the most we can hope for is to discover our own "perception of truth which works for me." Accordingly, they insist that no one has the right to tell another person that he or she is wrong.
Others are going to assume they as long as they are parroting biblical words, what they are saying is biblical. But their methodology exposes them. When someone develops his or her understanding by taking a phrase or word from the Bible such as "God is love" or "grace," but then develops that idea along the lines of what I think love and grace should look like while ignoring various relevant texts, then "the Christian thing to do" will simply be a giant mirror of oneself. Often such self-deluded reflections will become popular marshaling standards for the herd because it will affirm the cultural values of that age.
Then of course, there will be those who will insist upon bringing forward into today what the text was originally intended to mean to its readers. They probably will not be the most popular voice in town, but they are most likely to be faithfully conveying an adequate recounting of the originally intended message.
So what is the Christian thing to do? To provide some focus to such a vast question, let's consider "what is the Christian thing to do regarding affirming others?" Since it should be obvious that "the Christian thing" will involve following Christ, let's consider the breadth of Christ's example and teaching as it relates to affirming others.
Is it our goal to be non-confrontational and affirming of everyone? What does it mean to be loving? What was Jesus' example and goal?
The following quotes are from the New American Standard Bible.
"You have heard that it was said, `Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45"Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:34-37
Knowing that God calls people to love their neighbor, a lawyer tried to justify himself by asking Jesus, "who is my neighbor?" Jesus told the parable of a Samaritan who helped his enemy after two supposedly religious fellow Jews passed him by leaving him there on the side of the road. He closed by asking, "Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' [hands?]" Luke 10:36
"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. Matthew 23:13
"Then the disciples came to him and asked, 'Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?' He replied, 'Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots. Leave them; they are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.'" Matthew 15:12-14
As Jesus died on the cross he prayer, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34
What is the Christian thing to do? It is NOT to meekly affirm everyone's beliefs and lifestyles. It IS to actively seek their well being which will include warning them of the very real danger they are in if they persist on their own self-appointed paths.
Barry Newton, Copyright © 1999
Other articles which might be of interest:
Resisting the Tide (When Tolerance, Affirmation and Inclusion Become Everything)Getting A Grip on Tolerance, Acceptance and Inclusion
To Fully Love Requires A Godly Person
Abusive Relationships & Living for God
A Lost Verse of the Bible? (The Value of confronting Sin)
Mt. Kilauea Erupts Again! (On Anger)