“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:14-16
For those of you who were hoping that we would be done with zombies and get back on the main road, I can tell you we are. It seems so long ago that I started talking about Hamish in the dog park, and for those of you who recall me saying I wouldn’t go back to one, I’ll explain. Anthony was with me in case I needed help, it was a huge dog park – about 40 acres, and it was pouring with rain, so it wasn’t busy.
We have looked at how grotesque sin really is, both for a Christian as well as the ‘lost.’ Now we move on to our response to it. We don’t shut ourselves away from it, or run in the opposite direction. We are in the world not of it, we practically are surrounded by it without being enticed by it or corrupted by it.
We are called to share the good news with the lost. (Mark 16:15) But what does this look like practically, how do I do it?
1) With love. If we don’t have love we are just loud clanging symbols. Either talking or even in practical works - as it could come across as a duty.
(If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT)
When you love someone it’s obvious to the person, it makes a difference.
2) We don’t win people to Christ. God draws men to himself (John 6:44) so we have to pray for them, and pray for ourselves for love and patience.
3) We have to stop at 1 Peter 3:14 and not get drawn into arguments 2 Timothy 2:23.
Back to Hamish in the dog park! He struck me as how I should be with non christians. He doesn’t wag his tail but wags from the waist. He went up to every dog he saw with complete friendliness, openness just wanting to connect and play with them. We drained his energy beforehand so he wasn’t over eager or annoying. He was met with indifference, growls, ignored and yet he never took it to heart. He didn’t go away feeling sorry for himself and decide not to ‘talk’ to the next dog. He never retaliated but was always as eager to say ‘hi’ to the next dog that came along. There was one dog who wanted to play, but sadly the owner didn't want that.
Hamish is by no means the perfect dog and has his moments but that day he was the perfect example of how we should be. Being open, friendly and ready for people that are put in our path. Not taking anything too much to heart if we are insulted but ready for the next person and not falling into the temptation of hiding in a corner feeling sorry for ourselves, using it as an excuse to not be open to the next person. As that lone dog who wanted to play with Hamish, it just takes that one person who is receptive to us.
Depending on the day or the person I can and have fallen into each of the above category. I either pray for the person and for a change in heart in them but don’t pray for more love towards them. I also have realised that I have crossed the line from giving a reason to why I am a Christian into a discussion on different subjects, which draws a line in the sand and a ‘your side’ ‘my side’ mentality which is hard to break down and the feeling of wanting to ‘win’ a discussion or argument.
We personally are going to be insulted, lied about – the verse says ‘when!’ The question is how are we going to respond, “in gentleness and respect for them?” As the always most important goal we have as Christians, is to share the good news of Jesus with everyone.
For those of you who were hoping that we would be done with zombies and get back on the main road, I can tell you we are. It seems so long ago that I started talking about Hamish in the dog park, and for those of you who recall me saying I wouldn’t go back to one, I’ll explain. Anthony was with me in case I needed help, it was a huge dog park – about 40 acres, and it was pouring with rain, so it wasn’t busy.
We have looked at how grotesque sin really is, both for a Christian as well as the ‘lost.’ Now we move on to our response to it. We don’t shut ourselves away from it, or run in the opposite direction. We are in the world not of it, we practically are surrounded by it without being enticed by it or corrupted by it.
We are called to share the good news with the lost. (Mark 16:15) But what does this look like practically, how do I do it?
1) With love. If we don’t have love we are just loud clanging symbols. Either talking or even in practical works - as it could come across as a duty.
(If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:1 NLT)
When you love someone it’s obvious to the person, it makes a difference.
2) We don’t win people to Christ. God draws men to himself (John 6:44) so we have to pray for them, and pray for ourselves for love and patience.
3) We have to stop at 1 Peter 3:14 and not get drawn into arguments 2 Timothy 2:23.
Back to Hamish in the dog park! He struck me as how I should be with non christians. He doesn’t wag his tail but wags from the waist. He went up to every dog he saw with complete friendliness, openness just wanting to connect and play with them. We drained his energy beforehand so he wasn’t over eager or annoying. He was met with indifference, growls, ignored and yet he never took it to heart. He didn’t go away feeling sorry for himself and decide not to ‘talk’ to the next dog. He never retaliated but was always as eager to say ‘hi’ to the next dog that came along. There was one dog who wanted to play, but sadly the owner didn't want that.
Hamish is by no means the perfect dog and has his moments but that day he was the perfect example of how we should be. Being open, friendly and ready for people that are put in our path. Not taking anything too much to heart if we are insulted but ready for the next person and not falling into the temptation of hiding in a corner feeling sorry for ourselves, using it as an excuse to not be open to the next person. As that lone dog who wanted to play with Hamish, it just takes that one person who is receptive to us.
Depending on the day or the person I can and have fallen into each of the above category. I either pray for the person and for a change in heart in them but don’t pray for more love towards them. I also have realised that I have crossed the line from giving a reason to why I am a Christian into a discussion on different subjects, which draws a line in the sand and a ‘your side’ ‘my side’ mentality which is hard to break down and the feeling of wanting to ‘win’ a discussion or argument.
We personally are going to be insulted, lied about – the verse says ‘when!’ The question is how are we going to respond, “in gentleness and respect for them?” As the always most important goal we have as Christians, is to share the good news of Jesus with everyone.
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