I recently saw a post on Facebook asking just what was so offensive about peace, charity, and love and all the other things that Christmas stands for. I don’t believe that they hate the secular parts of Christmas they hate what Christmas stands for Christ and Christianity.
Matthew 10:22-25 (ESV)
22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.
Christ message wasn’t just about love, he laid down the toughest moral rules ever. Loving your enemy, and not even thinking about sex with someone you are not married to is a really tough act to follow. Even the best people look like trash compared to his moral standards.
As true as it is, no one likes to be told that we are dirty rotten sinners. In order to spread the Good News about God’s Grace, we have to first tell people that they are sinners who do not deserve to go to Heaven, and need forgiveness! We all need to hear it at some point, but no one wants to hear it!
When we are telling people that all are sinners in need of forgiveness, they might be reminded of loved ones who went to the grave as non-Christians. They might even come from a non-Christian culture. Imagine if someone told you that everyone you have ever loved is now in Hell! Without the aid of the Holy Spirit that statement would bring even the best of us to hate.
While there is really no good fix to this situation, we can soften the blow by prayer before and after we witness, and when we do witness do it with as much wisdom and love as possible.
Smart Christian.net 