I don't know why some Christians feel they have to fight everyone. Seriously. There seems to be some Christians who are ALWAYS arguing with someone, always yelling about this or that, always seeking to make sure their agenda is known. It's great that people want to stand up for Christian values, but doesn't the Bible tell us over (and over, and over) and again to avoid fruitless arguments? These fights we get in to get us nowhere. Ultimately, when we're done, we end up more entrenched than when we began. Arguing rarely, if ever, changes someone's mind, it's more of a way for us to assert our dominance. It's also contrary to the kingdom. Now, should we not defend the faith? Absolutely we SHOULD defend it! But there comes a point when we're just chasing down rabbit trails, and getting nowhere. We can't make someone believe what we do, we can't force anyone to Christ's loving embrace. Instead, let's look at Paul's approach (2nd Timothy 2): "24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. " Kindness, patience, reasonableness, gentleness. These are the way we should seek correction, if correction may be had. If anything will conquer a heart of stone, it's love, not more shouting. Do as Jesus did, not as the world does. The worldly way has been proven over and again it doesn't work. Jesus is THE Way, do things HIS way! 2 Timothy 2 English Standard Version
A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus
1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men,a who will be able to teach others also. 3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself.
A Worker Approved by God
14Remind them of these things, and charge them before Godb not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,c a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable,d he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servante must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
Footnotes:
a 2 The Greek word anthropoi can refer to both men and women, depending on the context
b 14 Some manuscripts the Lord
c 15 That is, one approved after being tested
d 21 Greek from these things
e 24 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see >Preface
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