Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. -1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

Not sure about you, but I recently realized that when I feel defensive of Jesus…it’s usually because I feel offense. I’m offended, even as He tells me to hold no record of wrong; to instead love my neighbor and live peaceably with them.

Truth is: My primary purpose is not to defend Jesus. Yes, I find myself getting defensive sometimes when I think I have to defend my faith. I don’t. You don’t. And frankly, Jesus is complete already. He is almighty, all powerful, omnipresent. He heard what they said. He saw what they did…and He’s gonna be okay. While we proclaim His truth and our testimony for the sake of the hearer….HE doesn’t NEED us to defend Him.

Know who He DOES call us to defend, in spirit and otherwise? My brother….and the least of these. We are called to defend the ones who follow Him, and the ones that don’t. Right is right. We should absolutely point to Him and His love, proclaiming His goodness; it’s our greatest commission. But the only true difference between “them” and “us”, is that we’re saved by grace through faith so we can’t boast about being incredible by our own right or for our own sake. Anything that you’ve seen otherwise isn’t Jesus, and I’m sorry.

A consideration of offense: Sometimes when I’m offended it’s because what I’m saying, thinking, or believing, is being attacked. But other times, if I really consider…I’m afraid of the questions. I’m afraid I don’t know the answers. They’re questioning my faith…and if I’m honest I do it sometimes too. I’m afraid that person’s salvation, my salvation, and how my Jesus is perceived hinges on my delivery.

It doesn’t.

So, today, if you’re feeling like the people around you are on a war path, and all their battle cries are aimed at you and Christ, there’s no need to worry. Christ is able. He is able to defend Himself. He is able to defend you. He does every day. So, keep sharing your heart. Defend the least of these…but do it out of love, rather than perceived offense.