When I first became a Christian, I loved to debate about the Bible and Jesus. I wanted to be the best, most knowledgeable Christian around! So when I’d hear or read something that didn’t sound right, I went into immediate attack mode to “defend my faith”, so to speak. That something could be a sermon, book, movie, or lunch conversation.

More often than not, I was proved wrong. I am more like Peter than any other person in the Bible: quick to speak up, quick to judge, and just as quick to eat my words. My zeal for defending truth led me down many humbling roads, for sure! And it still does – I am tempted every day to correct something or someone.

Then I remember that correcting is not my primary calling as a Christian. Love is.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40, NIV)

Our culture is a hot mess of opinions, negativity, rebellion, and strife. As Christians we are called to rise above and demonstrate something different to the world. Speak life. Honor and respect each other as better than ourselves. Let no unwholesome talk come out of our mouths. Especially in a public setting.

Social media is a great tool for demonstrating love by what we post, and more importantly, how we talk about others. It breaks my heart to be on Facebook and see posts where Christians are speaking out against others, especially brothers and sisters in Christ, instead of what they believe and why. How does watching Christians tear others down and do what is often not much more than gossiping appear to those who don’t know Christ?

Next time we want to publicly share an opinion about a brother or sister in Christ, we can choose to focus on and share the positive they are doing. Choose to speak life. If we know them personally and feel led to do so, we should go to them directly with any concerns. Praise in public, correct in private. As a Third Day song says, “if you can’t say nothing good, don’t say nothing at all”.

We ALL need grace for each other. Not many are argued into the Kingdom of God; let the world see we are Christians by our love. Believe the best. Speak life.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8, NIV)