2 Timothy 2:22-26 ESV
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
I would suggest this verse to the members of the Westboro Baptist Church. In their efforts to practice/defend their first amendment rights they have lost sight of one thing, what would Jesus do? Would Jesus tell people that are grieving and suffering the loss of a loved one, "praise God for dead soldiers"? I don't think so. Jesus came to show the world how to live and to provide the way to heaven, the way to a personal relationship with God.
In their misguided effort to share Jesus, they have instead shared their beliefs, their opinions and not the simplicity of the gospel, which is Christ crucified for OUR sins and risen from the dead so that we too may die with Christ in his crucifixion and rise with him to walk in a new life of service with Christ. All we need to do is present God's word to people and then trust in the fact that God will not allow His word to return void, it will accomplish what He has set it forth to do... to change lives.
It is my opinion that Westboro Baptist is not trusting in God's power to effect change in the world and have decided to take efforts into their own hands. In doing this they are causing more harm for ministries than good. It causes the world to view Christians as a group that is looking to be quarrelsome, and not willing to listen. We should always be willing to listen and then offer a calm and intelligent response based on our faith and what the Bible states.
In closing I would simply say, kill them with kindness, not with cruel words and actions.
Well said,
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