I’m a member of a Atheists vs Christians Debate Central 101 group on Facebook. I spend a lot of time defending the faith. Jesus said that he would divide families, friends, and people from one another.

At first glance that might sound harsh. Some voices would say that we should be more inclusive or show more diversity in how we accept people. Many secular sources claim Christians are judgmental and push their morality down others throats. So who is right here, can we find an objective answer?

The truth is we need to figure this out, we do need to divide. Christians have to love sinners and still be honest about what personal behavior God calls immoral. And that might mean we will lose some opportunities and even friends along the way. We can’t be pressured into a position that goes against what we know is right – not because how we feel, rather based on what the word of God says on moral behavior.

If we want to understand what we should do – we need to turn to Jesus. Jesus spent time with sinners, he’d eat and talk with them. Their lives were/are important to him. We have no idea when we are going to die and when an Atheist dies in their sin – they aren’t just dead, they are doomed forever in a Christless eternity. I don’t want that even for the people in my life that have treated me horribly.

I think we need to pray for the people in our lives that we would otherwise hate (as a non Christian). Talking about being a Christian can only take you so far, but being Christlike in helping people, showing them mercy, compassion, and forgiveness is what we need to do. Sometimes we are tired and what people want from us is very inconvenient, or maybe they want to borrow something that you know if you do; you will never see it again (be honest, we all know someone like that 😁).

What you and I have to remember is that we are all running out of time, you can be healthy as a horse and still be dead next week, even if we ourselves are saved, we have limited time to reach those around us and the stakes are not trivial – what cost can you put on a human soul?

I think there are manifold reasons why Jesus said if someone strikes you turn the other cheek, if they asked for a little help, help them double. Actions speak louder than words. A Christian in action is worth more than a thousand good intentions. We are supposed to have Jesus living in our hearts, giving him the control to run the show. We need to be Jesus, in order for people to see Jesus – otherwise all they see is the hypocrisy in our lives.

Jason