Someone I really respect and admire said that when they heard someone being really nasty and hateful, then said a minute or two later they were praying to Jesus about something, he said excitedly, “Oh wow! You know Jesus? Cool! I wasn’t so sure the way you were just talking, that you were a Believer!”
When I heard him say this, I thought, oh my goodness. I want to remember this. I want to respond to people exactly like this, the next time they are being hateful/nasty and then talk about Jesus.
Last year, Terry and I were with a group of people and one of them went out of her way to be hateful to me. Ugly comments here and there, and she seemed to truly thrive on being cruel to me. I let it slide. I did not want to cause a scene for the people we were all gathered for, and just prayed people would eventually see this person for what they are, and not have to stoop to their level. I kept reminding myself, “Never argue with a fool. Onlookers might not be able to tell the difference.” - Mark Twain.
But this person continued with the snide comments. In the next breath, the person said they visited a local chapel and sat there for a while and prayed.
I was stunned. I wanted to say, “You prayed? Like to God? Or Satan? Because you’re pretty mean … I can’t fathom you pray to God.”
But I didn’t. I said nothing. Sometimes, even I am aware of my sassy, sarcastic mouth, and know when and when not to share it. This fell into the “when not to share” category. Jesus expects more of you and me, because we are His followers. If people claim to be His followers but do not act like it, this is between Jesus and them. And trust me, we do not want to get into the middle of that conversation.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” - John 13:35 (NLT)
It is not always easy, nor is it convenient to do the right thing, and show love in the face of evil and hatred. It is, however, always the right thing to do.
Being a Christian is not supposed to be convenient. It is not supposed to make life easier. It is, however, supposed to make life better.
Listen, I can get entangled in a political debate just as easily as the next political nerd. But I would rather be tangled up in scripture, unraveling verse by verse through the way I live. Instead of preaching sermons, our lives are supposed to show a sermon. One long, dedicated message to Jesus. I am afraid a lot of my life looks more like a sitcom than a dedicated show for Jesus. But even when it is not convenient, I will strive to show love, rather than snark/sarcasm and a tit-for-tat response to vitriol.