“And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 NET https://bible.com/bible/107/2ti.2.24-26.NET

There is undoubtedly much to argue about with our neighbor. The media, university, and social platforms promote their perspective on COVID, Israel, sexual identity etc. They reject Jesus as Lord and so promote living and believing in ways that disobey God and cause people to remain in bondage to sin and death. Using Scripture as truth, the Church promotes different beliefs about most of these things and calls forth obedience to Jesus as Lord. The people of God are to reflect the image of God in the way they speak, believe, and behave because they know Him, His Word, and are filled with His Spirit, Whose work is the revelation of Jesus as Lord and Savior of all through our lives and in our lives. As we engage people who believe and behave in disobedience to God’s truth, we are to share truth and encourage righteousness not in anger but rather in gentleness. God desires all people to repent and obey Him, but He forces no one to do so, and neither should we who love Him. Instead, we promote Him by loving the unlovely, serving the selfish, and speaking the truth humbly, consistently, and lovingly while modeling the wisdom of obedience to God’s ways. The war is against Jesus Christ and His Lordship waged against Him by evil forces whose lies deceive people and cause them to rebel against God. We must love people, all people, while speaking and living His truth found in His word, while we work and pray earnestly for all people to repent and follow Jesus as Lord.