What if other people don’t like what I do or how I live?
Question 40 in Faith Seeking Freedom: Updated & Expanded
This question is from Faith Seeking Freedom: Updated & Expanded, available in paperback, PDF, and Kindle.
People often disagree with each other about what life ought to look like. As Christians, we believe that we ought to live as Christ taught us to live. Scripture tells us that the world hated Christ and that it hates Christ followers, too (John 15:18–19). Despite living in a world that hates us, we should do our best to live at peace with everyone (Rom 12:18). In his letter to the Philippian faithful, Paul reminded them of Jesus’ self-humbling, self-sacrificial example. Loving peace and avoiding disputes are habits that are practically beneficial “in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Phil 2:15). They allow us to “shine like stars” in a dark and sinful world (Phil 2:15–16).
We are to be so conflict-averse—and loving towards others—that Christ admonished us to respond to presumptuous demands with a charitable response that goes above and beyond what is demanded (Matt 5:38–42, Luke 6:27–36). This is commanded even towards our enemies (Matt 5:43–48; Luke 6:32–36).
Paul exhorted the faithful in Corinth to abstain from using secular courts to sue other believers (1 Cor 6:1–8). Jesus told us the appropriate steps for making a godly appeal to an offending brother or sister in Christ, and that process is in the context of a local fellowship of believers (Matt 18:16–17).