We live in a country with an ever-increasing diversity of worldviews, philosophies and religions. Whether it is your neighbor, family member, or co-worker, you are bound to bump into someone who sees the world very differently. Perspectives are not only diverse, but also are often in opposition to one another. This opposition creates tension points that are challenging for both sides to navigate successfully. So, Christians need to train themselves in how to interact well in these sometimes tricky relationships and conversations.

So, how should Christians treat non-Christians? Here are a few biblical principles to remember.

Remember your humble origins. Christians are sinners being saved. We become saints only through repenting of our sins and falling humbly before Jesus in desperation. There really is no place for pride in Christianity–we can only boast in Jesus’ great love for sinners. If we ever find ourselves being judgmental or bitter, than we need to look back at our faith origin story. Humility should be the perspective that informs our posture when engaging non-Christians.

The following passage from Titus is a little long, but worth quoting in full.

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

Titus 3:1-5

Move towards people like Jesus. Jesus is the model. In contrast to arrogant religious leaders of his day, we see Jesus moving towards sinners and societal outcasts. Whether it was a demon possessed man, a leper, a foreigner, a prostitute, or the little children, Jesus moved towards people that others avoided. He loved them genuinely. He cared for their needs. Also, he also had courageous conversations with them and called them to walk in righteousness and truth. He didn’t avoid hard conversations. Yet, he shared truth in the context of genuine care and grace.

And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:16-17

Respectfully and wisely share your faith. The most important decision a person will ever make is whether or not to trust in Jesus. One of the most important actions you will ever take in a relationship with a non-Christian is to respectfully share the gospel. Now, the emphasis is on respectfully, because too often we violate this principle. Forcing a conversation on someone who is not interested is not appropriate or helpful. Likewise, being pushy with Christian morality is not helpful with someone who doesn’t embrace the Christian worldview.

We need to be wise and patient in our evangelism. There are times when the door is open to share, and the respect is mutually experienced in the sharing and receiving. I’ve had wonderful evangelistic conversations with strangers on airplanes that have gone farther than I would have ever imagined possible. Yet, there are other times when I wish the door was open, and I have to be careful not to impatiently kick it open. Pray earnestly for wisdom in sharing and seek the Lord’s timing for each relationship.

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

Put your swords away. Jesus doesn’t call us to swing swords at sinners. He doesn’t need us to throw hate bombs in the form of rude social media comments. Our job as Christians isn’t to aggressively defend Christ in the market square, or the capital, by means of violence and hate. We especially do not need to be swinging swords in the name of Christ when our agenda is actually more political than spiritual (such behavior is far from Christian).

The story of Peter in the garden the night of Jesus’ arrest is instructional for us. A mob was coming at night to take Jesus away to be judged and then crucified. His teachings had caused enough trouble and they wanted to silence him. Imagine the swirling emotions Jesus’ disciples would have felt seeing the mob coming for their leader.

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.) So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”

John 18:10-11

Today, we may feel like there are voices trying to silence us too. We may feel like the world is sweeping our Christian values away. We may be tempted to pick up the sword and swing away. Yet, I believe Jesus would tell us to put our swords away. Instead, we should follow his example of loving sinners–sinners like us–with a genuine and sacrificial love. We may not get our way, but that’s not our calling. Our calling is to love with kindness and respect.