We live in a day and time where kindness is often interpreted, “You agree with me so you’re kind, OR you don’t agree with me so you’re mean.” If we believe this concept as Christians, we’re selling ourselves so short. The Bible tells us something completely different. It says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:6
If you have a Christian friend who loves you enough to “wound” you with loving truth, hang on to them. They are treasures. But how, in this politically correct world we’re called to love in (yes, love wasn’t a typo), are we supposed to approach skeptical people?
I was having the BEST time laughing and talking with some of my friends from church and the Starbucks barista the other day. However, as soon as I handed out a little “love” in the form of an invitation to church to our friendly barista, the mood quickly and completely changed. I was told that we were cool and all that, but they weren’t at all interested in religion. I felt a bit stung and tried not to show it. I smiled and said, “This isn’t about religion. It’s about knowing Jesus.” I smiled some more and continued, “Maybe you’ll change your mind, and you can ask me for one later. You’ll see me again.”
In my mind I’m like, “Yikes, I don’t think that barista likes us anymore, AND I’m going to see them again later.” It made me nervous. Why?! My flesh wants everyone to like me and agree with me or at least pretend like they do.
Here’s the bottom line, I’m not called for everyone to like everything I like. I’m called to be a light. Everyone doesn’t need to think I’m cool. I need to “do life” for an audience of One- Jesus Christ; and although I {KNOW} this in my mind, my flesh is like, “You shouldn’t do that again.”
Jesus had compassion for everyone, but His confidence wasn’t in what people thought about Him. His confidence was in TRUTH. Some people accepted it, and many didn’t. That never once changed His message or silenced Him.
We can’t expect the world to like everything we have to say, but we can love them enough to put ourselves out there to be hurt--trust me, it is usually just my pride that gets hurt anyway. We need to be kind enough to be honest.
Daily tip: We were all created to live eternally, and deep down we all know that. While being quiet or going with the flow may make us seem more kind, love people enough to share truth.
