Cameron, a friend of mine, didn’t share my spiritual beliefs. He openly opposed Christianity and some of its moral tenets. One day in my previous workplace, he led a seminar on domestic violence and used it as a chance to bash the Bible. His “correlation” was illogical and inappropriate. The book that tells husbands to “love their wives as they love their own bodies” and instructs fathers “Do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them” does not condone violence in the home (Ephesians 5:28, 6:4).
Happily, a supervisor got to him before I did, or I might have had to apologize for what I said. That same day, however, I lodged a formal complaint with suggestions on how the topic might be approached in the future.
Not much later, I read a letter from a church planter from another country. He told of a group that was placing huge speaker boxes outside their churches in an attempt to disrupt worship and pick a fight with Christians. The minister had one request: “Please help me pray for our people to remember what Jesus taught us and keep the same focus that He did.” His words touched my heart and opened my eyes. Scripture tells us, “Bless those who persecute you” (Romans 12:14). These good people were on the cusp of genuine persecution. I wasn’t anywhere near it.
I thought about the mere annoyance I had faced from one person in our workplace. And I considered the real potential for violence that this church planter’s people faced. The difference was obvious. I asked the Holy Spirit to change my attitude. Then I prayed for God’s peace for that church planter and for those Christians who are a hemisphere away. And I also prayed for Cameron, for he needs Jesus too.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 4:1-16
More:
Read Ephesians 5:21–6:4 to see Paul’s practical advice for respecting each other in the home.
Next:
How do you react when your spiritual beliefs are ridiculed? Do you want to fight? Do you shrink from the situation? How can you let Jesus turn it to good?
Gary Shultz on January 3, 2016 at 6:41 am
This is what is so fun (challenging) about these articles; we get to unfold some of this stuff and look at it. I have confessed to the fight reaction when we are pressed, instead of the church planters response. We are not even supposed to be quarrelsome, Christ knew His love would get reactions, sometimes we just have to allow the soaking of the Spirit to get a response. I still struggle to where the line is with protection; however we try to be open to the Spirit. Like the picture today, the beautiful pressed through the dry barren places. I need to be a better flower, hopefully not a pansy. Thanks Tim.
Tim Gustafson on January 3, 2016 at 8:15 am
Good reminder, Gary. We are not even called to be quarrelsome. I think of Paul’s words, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18).
Roxanne Robbins on January 3, 2016 at 8:35 pm
When we live comfortably, we are more prone to confuse discomfort and disagreements with persecution. I’ve been prompted lately to look at things that bother me (e.g., people talking loudly on their cell phone in restaurants or movies) as a trigger to pray for people around the world who truly are enduring persecution for professing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Winn Collier on January 7, 2016 at 4:31 pm
I’ve wondered why some of us seem to play the martyr card far too easily (though I’m not saying you did, Tim). I think it’s telling in many respects.