I got to thinking about this because of an incident that took place on my facebook page. I was having an informal discussion with a friend of mine who is an unbeliever and we were discussing the definition of faith, its nature, and its relation to reason. We did this in the context of theoretical physics and the worldviews that underlie our thinking. We did not solve anything with our discussion, but I think progress was made in that each side probably increased in understanding of the other. Having said that, toward the end of the conversation another friend jumped in who is a believer and engaged my unbelieving friend in an entirely different mode and attitude. A third friend, who is also a believer, expressed embarassment at what the second friend was bringing to the conversation. The second friend was quite confrontational in style. A virtual food fight ensued and I have to admit that it was quite entertaining. But it was also . . . not good. I had initial reactions, but I held them in check wanting to think about it some more in order to be able to respond in the best way possible. Everyone involved is a friend and none of us is perfect, but in the final analysis I do not think it would be prudent for me not to say anything at all about what I saw as an entirely wrong way for any believer to approach an unbeliever with the truth of Christ. The Scripture has much to say about the subject and, as believers, the Scripture is our rule of faith and practice. So here goes.
I initially thought of about a half dozen Scriptures which admonish the believer to humility and grace in attitude when presenting the truth claims of the gospel to the world.
For example, in Ephesians 4 we are admonished to speak "the truth in love." In Colossians 4 we are told, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." In Philippians 2 we are told, "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves."
What should we think about this? Well, for starters, if our truth claims are correct then love compels us to share this truth with others in the hopes that they also will be brought to a knowledge of the truth. If ultimate joy, and the highest humanity, can only be brought about through submission to and reconciliation with God--and as Christians we believe this--then we are compelled by love to go out and lovingly proclaim the gospel to those who are not a part of our Christian community. But how we do this is as important as doing it. We must be careful in our conversation with those who are without that we do not soil the truth we proclaim by proclaiming the opposite message with our other conversation.
If we believe we are saved by grace, then grace must be more than just the message we proclaim, it must also describe our attitude while proclaiming it, and our life as we live it. It's ridiculous to think we can verbally smack people into faith in Christ. Our speech is to be always with grace, only seasoned with salt. We are to speak the truth in love. Everything we do is to be done in humility, not pride, not conceit.
What makes us to differ? As Christians, what do we believe makes us to differ from unbelievers? Are we better than they? The answer is "no." Smarter? No. Wiser? No. Then how do we differ? Someone might answer with "faith." But why is it we believe when others do not? Is it because we are morally or spiritually superior? Not in any way. The biblical answer is "grace."
That's it. Grace. Period.
Knowing this should humble us, not swell us up with pride. It should cause us to speak truth in love and pray for God to use his truth to change hearts and minds. It should not cause us to be haughty or arrogant.
In 1 Peter 3, Peter said it well:
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For
Being an imitator of Christ is an unreachable goal for a fallen human being, but it is the goal we are to strive for in all our conversation as Christians. Only by God's grace can it be achieved. Let us daily petition God for a better attitude and for Christian grace in all that we do.“Whoever desires to love life
and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from speaking deceit;
let him turn away from evil and do good;
let him seek peace and pursue it.For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 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. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
