Repelling is not a sport, so put away your rope and carabiner.  It is an affect that some of us, like me, have on others.

When I first came to Christ, I was excited to tell people I became a Christian.  They would often respond with a pained look that said, “Oh that’s too bad.”  

It got worse when I went into the pastorate.  We bought a house, and my new neighbor and I were making our introductions.  He told me he was a bartender.  I told him I was a pastor – and he tensed up and broke into a cold sweat.

It’s even worse now!  When I meet someone new and tell them that I am a Hospice Chaplain, well – they check their pulse, turn pale and pass out. 

I’m not alone in my grief.  Lots of us seem to be a little repelling these days.  You see, it’s just not the thing anymore to be a Christian. 

In early 2023, the Washington Elementary School District in Phoenix, AZ voted to sever their relationship with Arizona Christian University.  

Over the past 5 years, the college would send their education students to do their student teaching in that school district.   One school board member, Tamillia Valenzuela, did some digging and this is what she found,

         “My concerns, [is] when I go to Arizona Christian University’s website, [ they are] ‘committed to Jesus Christ, accomplishing His will and advancements on earth as in Heaven.’”

         “Part of their values is… [to] ‘transform the culture with truth by promoting the Biblically-informed values that are foundational to Western civilization, including the centrality of family, traditional sexual morality, and lifelong marriage between one man and one woman,'” she said.

         “I want to know how bringing [teachers] from an institution that is ingrained in their values so directly, brings impact to three of your board members who are a part of the LGBT community.”

There was no precipitating offense.  The lines of decorum were respected by every student, but because they believed the Scripture, the relationship was severed. 

Fortunately, just a few months later, the issue went to court and the University prevailed.

And yet, that board member was correct.  Our Christian values are contrary to those of the prevailing cultural trends in this country.  Therefore, these kinds of collisions will become more frequent in the future. 

Christians will very likely be dinged for what we believe.  Many today are being accused of being hateful when we talk about marriage from a biblical viewpoint, or Christ as the only way to the Father (John 14:6). 

We repel some folks. But that’s OK, Jesus predicted as much.  He said to His disciples, “Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” – John 15:20

I guess it’s just our turn now!  So, what do we do?  The apostle Peter had some appropriate words for us, He said,

         “But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the hope you possess. Yet do it with courtesy and respect, keeping a good conscience, so that those who slander your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame when they accuse you. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if God wills it, than for doing evil.”  – 1 Peter 3:15-17

to briefly recap, He says to…

1 Make sure Christ is truly your Lord and that your life is submitted to Him

2 Be ready to discuss your faith and why you believe with your critics

3 Do it with courtesy and respect

4 and if you must suffer, let it be because you choose to do the will of God

There will always be some who, though initially repelled, will come to love, and serve Jesus because of the way we handled the heat. 

A PRAYER: Lord be with us and help us to be forbearing and faithful.

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you

Scripture passages are from the NETBible.org ®