In my never-so-humble opinion, we are ever-so-ready to draw lines in the sand between us, and those who do not follow Jesus. Us and them. The good guys (obviously you and me!) and the bad guys. And we subtly let them feel the pain.
I think we would do well to stop generalizing, and to not look at those who do not follow Jesus as leprous.
Peter’s comments in 1 Peter 2:12 bring these things to mind:
“Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable,
so that when they speak against you as evildoers,
they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”
He is telling me three things, not necessarily in this order:
- There are folks out there who are just going to badmouth me, stretch the truth, tell some lies, and let everyone within reach know that I am not what I say I am.
- Marcos, meanwhile, should be “Mr. Teflon,” letting these things slide. I will take no offense, I will shut my mouth, I will walk in wisdom towards those who are yet to become part of the family.
- And one day, further on down the road, God will be glorified by these very same people.
Sounds like a good plan. Is that too much to ask?