There is no denying that the cultural moment we live in is one of great contention. The heart posture of people today is one of rage and vitriol, especially regarding issues where we should all agree, such as the life of the unborn. What makes these times more difficult to navigate is the stance of some professing Christians who advocate for abortion due to a misplaced sense of unity, justice and equality.How are we to respond to friends, family members and the public who possess a different worldview? The Apostle Paul provides a challenging but impactful solution as he was teaching Timothy how to lovingly correct people who stood in opposition to truth:
“The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
As Christians we must strive to make sure that our motivation is not to win an argument or prove our intellectual superiority. Our motive should always be to lead people to the knowledge of the truth and to the hope of the gospel. If that is our heart posture, then the way we act towards people who are deceived would be that of kindness, patience, and gentleness. Our goal is not just to secure Generational Wins, but to win the hearts and minds of a generation. Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) General Counsel, Kristen K. Waggoner, provides a great example of how to effectively respond in the face of opposition.
Here is how you can pray:
- Pray for Christians to respond in both truth and love as they navigate contentious issues.
- Pray that churches would equip their congregants for effective Gospel-centered engagement with the culture.
- Pray that those who have no hope in this world will find that hope eternal peace in the love and forgiveness of Christ.
- Pray that Christians resist cultural intimidation and continue to speak boldly the truth of the Gospel. (Ephesians 6:18-20)
