CNN and Nancy Grace have focused on the story of the Tennesee preacher shot by his wife recently and through it all, the Church of Christ was portrayed in a negative light. One Baptist preacher called Churches of Christ a cult while Nancy hounded a Church of Christ minister about the views on women's roles in the church. It's upsetting to read or hear what is said about the church because we hold so dearly to what we believe. For some, the initial response might be to fight back while others prefer to ignore it. I feel that the answer resides somewhere in the middle.
The conversation has started and I feel I would be remiss not to join in, not that I desire to argue the points brought up but hopefully to answer with the spirit that Christ would answer these charges. When the Pharisees made accusations or tried to ask leading questions to put Him in a corner, He responded and in His response, they could find what they wanted. If they wanted to see someone who was fighting against them, they would. Yet, if they wanted to find the source of living water, the source of their ultimate salvation, they could.
I believe we have to respond just as Jesus responded and allow God to work through our response and in the lives of those that hear. We must defend our faith but not be defensive. We respond to evil with good. We respond to hatred with love. We respond to error with truth. In all our responses, we must remember to allow Christ to speak through us. We are His vessels.
As Christians, we can take on those who throw their sticks and stones with the love and meekness of one who knows what awaits us and we must respond with the love and the joy that we want to share the incredible gift.
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