Stronger Than The Storms

1 Peter 4:4-6

Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you. (1 Peter 4:4)

YOU ARE PROBABLY AWARE THAT atrocities committed hundreds of years ago by people claiming to be Christians will be used against you. Their behavior wasn’t Jesus’ fault and it isn’t yours, but blame will be assigned anyway. “Look at what the Crusaders did. Look at what those who carried out the Spanish Inquisition did. Look at what merchants and mercenaries exploring the New World did.” And so on. Rarely will a skeptic remind you of all the hospitals, schools, social programs, activist movements, crisis interventions, relief work, linguistic and literary advances, and peace efforts Christians have established throughout history as they followed the teachings of Jesus. No, skeptics will magnify the flaws and counterfeits, and color your entire faith with them.

That is not to say that genuine Christians have not participated in evil or misguided agendas. When the church today admits that fact and repents for the sins of the past, we do a good thing. Confession demonstrates humility and a commitment to truth. But many believers are so alarmed at how we are portrayed that they bend their beliefs and commitments to please people, which can’t be done, at least not completely. Jesus will always be a stumbling block, critics will always portray Christians negatively, and even the good things we do will be painted as hypocritical or superficial. For true seekers, our humility and genuineness will make a difference; for confirmed skeptics, it will never be enough. Jesus never tried to please everyone, and neither should we.

Your job is not only to defy the caricatures and be a contrary example; it’s to stand firm even when your example is distorted, maligned, and rejected. Be sensitive and responsive, but do not be moved. Acknowledge the misrepresentations without letting them change you. The world actually longs to see people live with conviction, even when they slander those who do. Your life is anchored in God’s perfect realm, so remain strong through the storms in this one.

{Jesus, you were never acceptable to everyone, yet you remained perfectly committed to truth and love in the face of opposition. You are my model, my example, and my strength. Sustain me in the storms and draw many to you through my convictions. Amen.