Too often there is hatred, insulting, and vitriol in theological debates online. We are not Christ, who was given authority to judge the hearts of men. (Jn. 5:22-30) Nor are we a prophet speaking by divine revelation to a group of serial-murdering Ba'al prophets. (1 Kings 18)
We are instead a mortal humans professing to be Christian and there are specific commands for how Christians should act when defending their faith, "with meekness and fear," (1Pet. 3:15) "a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." (Col. 3:12).
"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, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will." — 2 Timothy 2:24-26
Sarcastic and bitter quips are not 'being gentle towards all'. If someone is incapable of having a civil discussion then there is no point in having a dialogue with them about Christ.
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