Many Christians today are primarily known by things they are against.

• Abortion
• Adultery
• Evolution
• Gay marriage
• Socialism

Those are all things that many believers loudly, vocally condemn—in conversations, in Bible studies, in social media posts.

But here’s something I’m considering:

At the end of my life, when it’s all said and done, what do I want to be known for?

You may disapprove of some or all of those things listed above. But do you really want to be most known for your opposition to them? Is that really where you want to plant your flag? Are those the battles you want to spend the most energy fighting?

I hope not.

Because if we mainly busy ourselves with condemning things outside the church, then we are likely neglecting important things that are absolutely worth pursuing within the church.

Things like:

• Encouragement
• Love
• Prayer
• Spiritual support
• Sanctification

Don’t get me wrong: we should be prepared to discuss controversial questions and thoughtfully consider where we stand on cultural and political issues.

But, really!

At the end of your life, what do you most want to be known for?

• The guy who railed the loudest against socialism?
• The daughter who fought the hardest against evolution?
• The coworker who most passionately condemned gay marriage?

Again, I hope not.

How much better to be known as:

• The believer who encouraged her family in Christ.
• The Bible study leader who stood firmly and single-mindedly on the core gospel message.
• The loyal disciple who earnestly sought to imitate Jesus.

I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. | 2 Corinthians 11:2-3