I sit here in Borders after overhearing a woman’s disbelief in Christianity. She made a comment that really caught my attention. She remarked, “Even Satan worshippers are better people than just about every Christian I know.” Another young gal who was into similar non-Christian religions heard the comment and affirmed it.
The most sensitive subjects in America seem to be religion and politics. I sometimes wonder if some of the hardest people to love are those who are on the opposite end of the spectrum and are openly opposed to one’s own religious beliefs. It is easy to put up the defensive shield—and sometimes turn on a cynical, offensive, or even nasty attitude—toward these people.
While apologetics and reasoning are fine tools for the Christian, at the end of the day, the thing that counts is love toward those who believe differently and even are hostile. After the debating and reasoning are done, can I still buy such persons a meal and sit down and care about their problems with them despite the insults hurled? Can I rejoice with them in times of rejoicing and cry with them in times of struggle? Or do I turn away because they speak loudly and shamelessly against the faith and Lord most precious to me?
Who have you found hardest to love, and how have you shown the love of Christ to them?
the archives near Emmaus 
These situations are always tough. I know such words are spoken in ignorance, or are hyperbolic due to strong emotions, but sometimes it is difficult to avoid an angry gut reaction. Thanks for sharing these words reminding us that we should respond in love .
I don’t think I usually get too offended by rash or ignorant words. More of a problem for me is the temptation to assume that my reaching out won’t be accepted by someone who is coming from a perspective like that. As soon as they know where I am coming from a million misconceptions will come to mind and walls will go up. Anything I do or say will be seen through an anti-Christian filter. What’s the use?
But I’ll never know if I don’t try….and maybe I can even change (and not reinforce) some misconceptions.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Great reminder and challenge. So beautifully challenging.
The people I find it hardest to love are those who have hurt me the deepest and have never asked forgiveness for such.
Brian and Crystal: Yes, I think the comment and the other person’s affirmation were out of ignorance and misconception. The woman who commented revealed to her friend (not the other gal who affirmed) that she was raised in quite a strict (maybe even almost legalistic) environment as a preacher’s child. For her, the people in the church were hypocrites (which I’ve seen in many legalistic environments). Her father ended up having an affair with a woman in the church. It’s unfortunate that a few bad experiences colors her view of all Christians.
True as well that not everyone will be offended by such words. I also wrestle with the same thing regarding whether one will accept my reaching out. One thing that keeps me going in reaching out toward people no matter their willingness to accept is the words of my church history professor: “The only thing that matters to non-believers is if the believer is living a transformed life” (Daniel Brunner, my paraphrase). I know Jesus has taken me a long way since I first took up my cross to follow Him in 2002. I’ve got to let the transformation in my life dispel the misconceptions.
Scott: I have experienced the same thing, although the Lord is really helping me to forgive from the heart and let it go. I am sure that deep down they are convicted in even the tiniest degree—and sometimes that’s a perfect starting point.
I concluded some thing similar in my weekly reflection on Jonah. Often we consider someone or a group as being “THEM” where while we know about Gods grace we don’t want God to show them mercy and even get a little angry thinking that God would show them mercy.
Getting rid of the Jonah syndrome within Christianity / myself is a challenge to see “Them” as no longer “Them” but seeing them as part of “US” living in a broken world.
“It’s unfortunate that a few bad experiences colors her view of all Christians.”
I’ve encountered this many times. In fact, I might even go so far as to say that most hostile comments I hear are made by those who had one or many bad experiences within their faith—usually Christianity, since I live in Virginia (about an hour from Liberty University, which I just recently learned was actually known outside of Virginia). Usually my strategy is to patiently explain any discrepancies, and it’s ended well so far. Of course, this only applies to people I know. (I mean, after all, “Even Satan worshippers are better people than just about every Jew I know” takes on a whole different dimension! I wonder what I’d say to that one.)
Laura,
I didn’t even know what to say or what could be said. I’m glad your patience and explanations have won out. From what I can tell, you’re quite good at both.