Christlike Kindness

As Christians, we are called to be like Christ. We are told to love those around us, and to treat them the way we would like to be treated. This is often used as a way to tell Christians they are always supposed to "lie down and take it." What we mean by this is that a Christian isn't supposed to be disagreeable, hardheaded, or have any spine whatsoever. But is this the Christian example we get from Scripture?

We see that Jesus Himself is our example in the Bible. He was kind, loving, and gentle. That is what we are called to be. However, He was not spineless. In fact, He was firm in both teaching and in action. We read that He taught with authority. It emanated from Him. He also was very firm with the Pharisees and the people who were profiting off of the Temple. He even became physical in His defense of the Church of God.

So what does this show us? Well, for one, it tells us that being a Christian does not entail being a coward. Note Jesus did not defend His personal pride with harsh words or violence; He only defended God's Holiness and the people whom the Pharisees had been mistreating.

How does this apply to us? Well, we often want to get confrontational or physical about things we find offensive as well. But we need to make sure that these are not items that have to do with personal pride but rather the defense of the weak and the glory of God. In our human nature, we would gladly defend ourselves if we feel we have been offended. This is not the type of thing I am supporting here. No, that form of defensiveness is a form of pride; our self being hurt.

We often see Christians throwing proverbial stones at groups they disagree with. They will hate on groups that do not live according to Christian principles. A modern day example is the gay community. Now, I am not saying the gay lifestyle is not wrong; I am saying that it is not the only sin in the world. If the entire gay community stopped being gay; that would not stop them from being sinners, nor would it make them automatic Christians. We need to first show them Christ, then His law. If we expect them to live in accord with God's law without being God's people, it is as foolish as expecting an Australian to follow Germany's speed laws. It doesn't make sense. Now when that Australian becomes a German citizen, he will indeed need to follow Germany's laws.

We are trying to make sinners follow God's law without turning to God. This is foolishness and heretical. We need to bring them to God and let Him do the convicting. If they are not followers of God, they will not follow His Law; its that simple.

In short, 'curing' gayness would not stop people from being sinners. The problem is deeper than merely one thing. Throughout history we see that people want to make Christianity as simple as changing actions. But God isn't just about the outside, He is concerned with the inside.

In conclusion, we are to be like Christ. We are to show love, be an example, and defend Godliness. Defending Godliness is not the same as attacking unGodliness, and the difference is something that the Holy Spirit must convict each of us on.