Faith Matters | ‘The Teflon way’ is the right way to live in the face of challenges
Teflon is an interesting product. Nothing sticks to it. It’s a product that was accidentally invented in the 1930’s. It took a few years for its usefulness to be recognized. About 10 years after its invention, during the development of the first atomic bomb, it was used to coat the inside of mechanism to prevent radioactive properties from attaching to it. Another 10 years would go by before its domestic possibilities would be actualized. In the 1950’s a French company learned the benefit of making non-stick cookware. Voila! The way we cook eggs was forever changed!
Why all the Teflon talk? Because I think God wants Christians to be a little more like Teflon. I believe He wants us to live in such a way where no accusations could ever stick to us. This is important, not because we need to be good, but rather because people are watching us.
It’s easy to be nice and kind when the people around us are nice and kind. It’s another thing to be nice and kind when the people around us are hateful and mean. We’ve all experienced these types of people. Somebody lies about us; somebody tries to undermine our position; somebody tries to take our job. We all know what it’s like.
The way we usually our response to attacks … is to attack back. We go after the people who have gone after us. We aim at their character; we refute their accusations, and we attempt to get even with them.
Here’s the problem: people are watching us. They know we go to church. They know we follow Jesus. They don’t know a whole lot about what Jesus said or did, but they know enough to know how His followers are supposed to act. When we don’t, there are huge consequences. People are going to decide if Jesus is worth following by watching and seeing how we respond to difficulties.
When Peter was writing to the persecuted church he encouraged them to live so no accusation could be believed. “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” 1 Peter 2:12
Peter knew people were watching. These people would be deciding if Jesus was someone they wanted to follow based on how they saw Christians respond to difficulty. The truth is the same today. People are watching how you walk through chemo. People are watching how you manage losing your job. People are watching how your respond to a rebellious child, a financial crisis, and the most rude neighbor who ever existed. They will decided if Jesus is someone they want to follow based on how they see you respond.
Our character can be a powerful force when coupled with the Gospel. The power is greatly diminished, however, when we don’t act like Jesus. Be resolved, therefore, to love someone who doesn’t love you back; be kind to someone who is mean spirited; and be generous to someone who gives nothing in return. It’s the Teflon way.
J. Phillip Hamm is the senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Palmetto. Reach the church at 941-722-7795 or visit fbcpalmetto.com. Faith Matters is a regular feature of Friday’s Bradenton Herald written by local clergy members.