If we identify as Christian but experience little criticism or opposition for our faith, a gut check is likely in order. Are we going along to get along? Somewhere along the way, we may have wrongly mistaken “being nice”—a popular strategy for avoiding social awkwardness or rejection—for the biblical fruit of gentleness. But as Anglican minister and writer John Stott has said, “We shouldn’t be surprised [and concerned] if anti-Christian hostility increases, but rather be surprised [and concerned] if it does not.”
