People are not the enemy. Democrats are not the enemy. Republicans are not the enemy. Atheists, Muslims, and Buddhists are not the enemy. Liberals and conservatives are not the enemy. The media is not the enemy. Communists, socialists, and millennials are not the enemy. Obama, Clinton, and Trump are not the enemy.
Would it surprise you to learn that Jesus was usually nice?
Sometimes Jesus said some not so nice things. But to whom did he say them and why? It wasn’t to any of the above. I’ve been through my, I’m right, your wrong phase. It didn’t change anyone’s life. It didn’t represent Jesus, it just represented my opinion. My opinion is nothing. It’s Jesus and his love that matters.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Anger is not a fruit of the Spirit. Neither is self-righteousness.
There is a time for anger and wrath, but now is not that time. This is a time of grace and graciousness, of forgiveness and mercy. We may take a stand on true things, but do so graciously. Remember Peter’s words when he said, “Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (I Peter 3:1). Did you catch that? Gentleness and respect. How much more do we need gentleness, respect, and graciousness in debate or disagreement? And if this is how we must answer the unbeliever, then how much more the brother in Christ who shares the same Holy Spirit as you?
