For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Romans 1:18-20
Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel,
“My way is hidden from the Lord,
And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”?
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become tired or weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40:27-31
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Galatians 5:25
David L. Brooks' article “Perceptions of religion collide with inner faith” (Toledo Blade. January 29, 2014. P. 9) states that religious people often behave in ways that contrast with the faith they profess to possess and that is why they are often considered to be “judgmental, hypocritical, old fashioned, and out of touch.” I think he is right to some extent. We may seem too holy or too busy being martyred to be taken seriously. Or, worse yet, we may take being right as being more important than being merciful.
In any case, if we Christians want to shake things up regarding popular opinions of “religious people” then the way to do it is to be the best that Christianity has for us. When we reek of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, we show the world the love of God and the love of Jesus and that is something that is hard to argue with and hard to resist.
We are called to take the Gospel to the world, and a good way to do that is to serve it up with the fruit of the Spirit.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Psalm 34:7
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.
2 Peter 1:5-7
