What does it mean to be a true Christian?

Are you ever ashamed to identify as a Christian? Do your friends and acquaintances have negative associations with what "Christians" are and how they go about spreading their message to the world? If so, maybe it's time for a reminder of what it means to live as a true Christian in this world.

Think for a moment about times you find yourself coming into conflict with others - perhaps others who identify as Christians, or perhaps others who want nothing to do with the church. If they mistreat you (maybe because you're a Christian; maybe because you're gay; maybe for an entirely different reason), how do you respond?

When you read this passage, keep two things in mind: 1) In what ways can you change your own behaviors and attitudes to follow Peter's advice here? 2) If all Christians behaved as Peter suggests, how might the world's opinion of Christianity change?

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1 Peter 3:8-16 (NIV)
Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For

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"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be preapared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

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Are you ever ashamed to identify as a Christian? Do your friends and acquaintances have negative associations with what "Christians" are and how they go about spreading their message to the world?

I don't really think I've ever been ashamed to identify as a Christian. I'm hesitant to say I am a "Gay" Christian, because I have been laughed at, mocked, screamed at, bullied and such for saying such a "blasphemous" thing. I do have people in my life that have very bad thoughts toward Christians and have said to me that "If that's what Christians act like (when they see some of the one's on TV, Fred Phelps type, etc), then I want nothing to do with Christianity."

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If they mistreat you (maybe because you're a Christian; maybe because you're gay; maybe for an entirely different reason), how do you respond?

I have responded wrong in the past, both in person and on-line. On-line, I have gotten angry and came back with retorts and sarcastic responses. In person, I have often "froze" and just never responded, usually because the person caught me so off guard. Each time, it's been because I am a "Gay" Christian. On one of the first "Christian" boards I went to, there was one guy that came on to just cause trouble with anyone that said they were a Christian. That was my first introduction to "trolls" on message-boards.

Now, I usually just ignore it, or post only those things I can back up with Scripture, that simply cannot be refuted. They can try, but that's their problem.

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1) In what ways can you change your own behaviors and attitudes to follow Peter's advice here?

I am still trying. I try to simply stay quiet, yet post what I feel is the truth, that I find in God's Word. I often wait 24 hours before responding to a post or thread that seems to be taking a dig at me, but yes, I still make mistakes and get angry at times.

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2) If all Christians behaved as Peter suggests, how might the world's opinion of Christianity change?

I think if all Christians behaved as Peter suggests, more people would at the least consider listening to us when we talk about God's word. We have to LIVE what we are TELLING others. If we say that Christians LOVE, then we must show LOVE. When people hear the words coming out of our mouths, but our actions are showing something entirely different, well, they just aren't going to listen. I know I don't.