Patriots (4)

Good citizens – patriots, biblical patriots - speak in love.

Earlier this year, in a series called “Stories” we were reminded that we should be more known for what we are for rather than what we are against. Unfortunately, the church has a reputation for being judgmental.

And I think it’s not because of what we believe as much as because of how we behave. Now, I know that some of us just cave in when it’s time to take a stand on an issue. We just blend in with the world. But others of us can be mean and caustic and nasty when we talk about people and issues. And it’s, frankly, unchristian.

From Titus 3:2, here are some 4 commands for good Christian citizens. "To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people" (Titus 3:2, ESV).

1) Speak evil of no one. This means that the left doesn’t speak evil of the right and the right doesn’t speak evil of the left. Don’t say about other people what you would not like other people to say about you.
2) Avoid quarreling. The Greek word means not a fighter, not a brawler.
3) Be gentle. Sometimes the word is translated “patient,” “moderate,” “fair.”
4) Show perfect courtesy to all people. Sometimes, this is translated “meekness.” It’s a bridled strength, a strength under control.

Think about that: Perfect courtesy to all people.

Showing imperfect courtesy toward some people might not be so difficult. A tllit harder might be showing perfect courtesy to some people or imperfect courtesy to all people. But to show perfect courtesy to all people, even leaders and authorities who are rude and unjust is an assignment impossible to fulfill without special grace from God.

Is that you? The Bible is full of commands like these.

"Speak…the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15, ESV).

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice" (Ephesians 4:31, ESV).

"Correct… opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth" (II Timothy 2:25, ESV).

I have some friends who lean left politically. And right now, the attacking seems to be toward Sarah Palin – not with gentleness, but with some very imperfect courtesy. Here's a question for you. How do you talk about former President Bush? With perfect courtesy?

Lots of believers who lean way right badmouth our current President, “He’s a Muslim" or "He’s going to ruin our nation.” Church people who lean to the right feel it’s somehow OK to trash talk almost anyone who leans to the left. How do you talk about our current President Obama? With perfect courtesy?

We all ought to be tired of getting emails from people on the left bashing people on the right and from people on the right bashing people on the left. When we get the attacking emails, maybe we ought to just go to an electronic version of Titus 3:2, cut, paste, and send it to all the email bashers – both on the left and on the right.

What about you… and me? We all probably see some sins in the lives of others that might make us want to condemn them. But think about it. If someone is far from God, why should we expect them to live like someone who is not? Our faith sometimes seems too focused on other people’s faults.

We have to become aware that often the non-Christian world turns us off and tunes us out when we are not civil. In the book "Unchristian," the authors David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons tell us what the unchurched 18-29 think about the church. "What they react negatively to is our 'swagger,' how we go about things and the sense of self-importance we project. Outsiders say that Christians possess bark - and bite. One outsider put it this way, 'Most people I meet assume that Christian means... entrenched in their thinking..., angry, violent, illogical..., and they generally cannot live peacefully with anyone who doesn't believe what they believe. Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for" (p. 26).

We must make sure our conversations about issues and people are civil.

We must give support to and participate with people who are committed to bring Biblical principles to influence public policy. At the same time, we must not forget that our primary goal as believers is not to exert political clout or to legislate morality. Our primary calling according the the Great Commission given by Jesus is to stand for the truth of God while demonstrating the love of God in order to introduce those around us to the grace of God - a grace the saves us from our sins, trains us to be holy, and works in us to make us like our Lord Jesus Christ. We will do this most effectively when we relate to others with humility, love and respect rather than with sarcasm, slander, ridicule, or attacks.

Do you speak in love?