Let me start with this picture:
A man who points at the shadows exclaiming, "It's dark there!" is nothing more than a raving lunatic. But the man who brings a candle and lifts it up above himself exposes the darkness and changes the worldview of all those around them.
I have been troubled in my heart over the posts that I have been seeing lately. Christians, or people who are professing to be Christians because they certainly can’t be recognized as such by their actions, are constantly posting criticisms. One slanders other Christians with different theologies, another slanders members of different political parties, another slanders citizens of other countries, and still another slanders those who practice different religions.
Let me be frank. CHRISTIANS DO NOT SLANDER OTHERS. We are commanded in Titus 3:1-2: “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.” (NIV)
Then, a Christian might respond to me, are we not commanded in Ephesians 5:11? “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (NIV)
We are indeed! This is a clear commandment to those who live as Christians. It says also, “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:8, 13, 15-16 NIV)
In short, our exposition of the darkness is to come by our LIFESTYLE as children of the light.
The infighting and pointing of fingers that the Christian community has become accustomed to is the very behavior that CONFORMS us to the world. We are not called to point out the shortcomings of others.
We are not in conflict with people or a people or with a government or with a school of thought. Our battle is against the darkness.
The light exposes the dark. Our light shines when we live in submission to Christ, as children of light. People recognize Christ in us by how we love one another. Darkness is exposed by how we live.
If we can stop pointing fingers at other people and other schools of thought, and we start pointing toward God and encouraging others to walk in the light, perhaps we can regain the recognition of Christians.
I believe that it is possible that Jesus meant it when He said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35 NIV)
HOW, THEN SHOULD WE BEHAVE WHEN WE FEEL WRONGED?
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. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment. (1 Corinthians 4:12-13 NIV)
WHY DO WE NOT SHOVE OUR OPINIONS IN THE FACES OF NON-BELIEVERS?
The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV)
WHY DO WE NOT PARTICIPATE IN ARGUMENTS AND DEFEND OUR PRIDE?
You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? (1 Corinthians 3:3 NIV)
WHY DO WE NOT JUDGE THE BEHAVIORS OF THOSE OUTSIDE THE CHURCH?
What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? (1 Corinthians 5:12 NIV)
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV)
WHY DO WE NOT PUBLICLY REBUKE AND BICKER WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS?
Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. (1 Timothy 5:1-2 NIV)
WHO DO WE CHALLENGE AND REBUKE?
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)
HOW DO WE HELP THOSE IN THE DARKNESS?
Pray for people, not countries, parties, sects, or theologies.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure.” (Psalm 122:26 NIV)
Obey Jesus.
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44 NIV)
Pray for those struggling.
I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. (Romans 15:30 NIV)
Pray consistently.
“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)
Live differently.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)
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