I was reading an article earlier this week wherein the author quoted from a source that had a Biblical fact wrong, and the snide, ridiculing comments were just atrocious. Of course, not all of the people who responded that way were professing Christians, but I am sure some were. Good grief, people. What does it say to a non-Christian when Christians come across with such arrogance and self-righteousness? How does that reflect on Christ, whom we’re supposed to be representing? Where is the grace? Then another friend spoke with sorrow on the attacks his friend received online due to a lifestyle that most professing Christians could not condone. How did Jesus deal with people — the women at the well and the adulterous woman, for two examples?
I Timothy 2:24-26: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Colossians 4:5-6: Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
In Philippians 4:5, “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand,” the word “moderation” means “a sweet reasonableness” according to Word Studies in the Greek New Testament and is translated “genetleness” or “reasonableness” in other translations. The KJV translators probably meant moderation in the sense of moderation of spirit.
And of course I am not saying we should just condone everything. I’ve written before on what “judge not” doesn’t mean and the fact that sometimes the most loving thing you can do is confront someone about their sin.
Contending for the faith doesn’t mean we have a generally contentious nature. We can stand for Biblical truth without being obnoxious and driving away the very people Christ loves and for whom He died. We need to show the same grace we have been shown. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Stray Thoughts 
AMEN Sister Barbara!!! You gooooooo girl! You said that beautifully! God was using you today!
I’ve run into some of the judgmental types, and it’s not a pretty picture.
Well said, Barbara. I was recently considering joining the staff of a Christian school. I changed my mind when I read in their tenants that they will neither condone or tolerate any deviance from God’s will, and no sinners were welcome within their hallowed ranks. I was left to conclude that the school must be empty because — according to God’s word — we are all sinners!
Some rules and regulations are religous and not Christian edicts. Living like Christ is what being a Christian means. His basic teaching was about love. When we judge others, we are not loving them as Christ would want.
Aren’t there judgemental types all over the place? Sad but true…
Jesus was able to speak the truth and yet love people. We all sin and make mistakes, every one of us and need His grace and mercy. And we would do well to remember that in the way that we respond to others. Yes, we must speak truth but with love and mercy and remembering we, ourselves, too need that.
Hi Barbara, that’s spot on. I’ve been a “victim” myself and was on the receiving end of “judgement” so to speak. Honestly, I can never fulfill the “expectations” of these Christians.
I think both the examples you give here illustrate something else: how this medium tends to make snideness and verbal cruelty in general all too easy. Something about the anonymity, the tone that can be carried in print, and the encouragement to vent even ignorant views just because it’s possible, overwhelm the natural sense of decency that would be there in a face-to-face situation.
Very well put!! Great post 🙂