“For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.”- 1 Peter 2:15-16a
It's interesting that I would stumble upon this today...recently I have been pondering these exact thoughts. Not necessarily this particular verse, however this is what I was thinking about on my way to work a couple of weeks ago. There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about bullying gays, is it wrong YES!, however nobody ever talks about the harassment that we as Christians receive. Which is nothing in comparison to what Christians in the middle east receive.
Working in the trades your going to be harassed regardless of who you are or what you do. It just happens, its part of the initiation with working in construction. How do you as a christian handle the harassment, whether you work in construction, computer programing, or just everyday life. I think the bible is pretty clear on how we're supposed to handle harassment...Jesus said "love your enemy's, pray for those who persecute you." I think that Paul is echoing what is written in Proverbs if you love your enemy's you will heap burning coals upon their heads. HUH??? Look its easy others are going to look more closely at you not just because your a christian, but especially because your a christian. They are going to make fun of you, they will hate you, they will be mean to you, and your response is everything.
I have often said that when someone harasses you or is annoying you, pray for them, is it easy no, will you see change in them, not always. But you will see change in yourself and others will to, sometimes the one who is doing the evil, will get called out because of your response. Others will see that you've been the righteous one and acted like Christ, they just look stupid for the way that they are acting.
It's interesting that I would stumble upon this today...recently I have been pondering these exact thoughts. Not necessarily this particular verse, however this is what I was thinking about on my way to work a couple of weeks ago. There has been a lot of talk in the media recently about bullying gays, is it wrong YES!, however nobody ever talks about the harassment that we as Christians receive. Which is nothing in comparison to what Christians in the middle east receive.
Working in the trades your going to be harassed regardless of who you are or what you do. It just happens, its part of the initiation with working in construction. How do you as a christian handle the harassment, whether you work in construction, computer programing, or just everyday life. I think the bible is pretty clear on how we're supposed to handle harassment...Jesus said "love your enemy's, pray for those who persecute you." I think that Paul is echoing what is written in Proverbs if you love your enemy's you will heap burning coals upon their heads. HUH??? Look its easy others are going to look more closely at you not just because your a christian, but especially because your a christian. They are going to make fun of you, they will hate you, they will be mean to you, and your response is everything.
I have often said that when someone harasses you or is annoying you, pray for them, is it easy no, will you see change in them, not always. But you will see change in yourself and others will to, sometimes the one who is doing the evil, will get called out because of your response. Others will see that you've been the righteous one and acted like Christ, they just look stupid for the way that they are acting.
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