“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” – 1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV
Many argue that Christians can’t prove God’s existence, even going so far as to refer to us as fools for believing in fairytales. As they bask in the knowledge that they think they have discovered about life and the universe through science, they demand that we provide them with scientific proof for God’s existence. What they fail to understand, however, is that science is not the answer to everything. Proof for God’s existence doesn’t necessarily have to come packaged in scientific argumentation. In fact, the greatest measure of proof is manifested in the power that God has to make something beautiful out of a heart that is filled with wickedness. And He does this often!
It troubles me when I see Christians engage in heated debates with unbelievers, as both sides try to prove that one is smarter than the other. Such discussions often result in both sides using insulting language to make their points. Christians ought to know better than to behave like this. For the Bible certainly doesn’t approve of such behavior, but says “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear…” (1 Peter 3:15 KJV) Interestingly, those who tend to get into such discussions with unbelievers use this verse to support the practice of debating; yet there is no trace of meekness in their language. Of course, they give answers, but they blot them out with insulting words. Thus they push unbelievers further away from the truth and shame our Lord by being rude and prideful.
It’s not our responsibility to convert hearts. That work belongs to God. Nevertheless, it is our role to set an example of what it means to be transformed in Christ, which means we are expected to be humble just like He was when He walked this earth as a man. Is it really that unbearable to be referred to as a fool for believing in Jesus? Do we really need to retaliate when we are insulted by unbelievers? Absolutely not! Some people will try to justify behaving in this way by saying that they are defending the truth; but are they not merely avenging their ego instead?
Jesus was mocked and ridiculed many times throughout His life on earth; yet He never spoke a careless word against anyone. Granted, there were times when He expressed anger towards others, but His anger was justified in that it agreed with the truth and came from a heart that was filled with love for their souls. Jesus always manifested true humility of spirit in His interactions with others. He didn’t fight with or insult those who didn’t agree with Him; rather, He sought to meet their needs on every level, without compromising the integrity of the truth for which He stood. Hence He showed the world what love really looks like by being loving.
Listen, we won’t encourage unbelievers to believe in Jesus Christ by insulting them, but by showing them what Jesus looks like. That is, we will accomplish far more in compelling unbelievers to take the gospel more seriously by disclosing the character of Christ in our words and actions than we will by using retaliatory tactics. By loving like Jesus we will provide people with plenty of evidence for the existence of God. Therefore don’t fight fire with fire, but overcome evil with good; and you will produce much fruit to the glory of God.