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Christians....
- Jul 2, 2009 at 12:11 AM
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- Comments (55) Total Views (1176) Everyone can see this journal post.
***The following is NOT directed at ALL Christians but rather thoughts that had crossed through my mind while observing a few. They were in fact a response to a post at one point in time but I had accidentally deleted it all and re-typing it on my cell phone wasn't worth the effort. I apologize if it seems a little scattered. I am trying to remember exactly how I had worded it the first time. *****
How does telling someone of a different belief system that they are "wrong, going to hell, or evil" improve YOUR relationship with Christ?
How does it make you a better person/ a better YOU through him?
Forgive me for saying so but I thought the whole point of striving to be more Christ-like was to become more gentle, patient, humble, and compassionate. By telling someone any of the aforementioned things you are actually doing opposite of being Christ-like but rather acting like the Pharisees in Luke 18. The ones that spoke of how much better they were than "other" sinners.
While I am on THAT subject. I often see the response from many Christians who acknowledge they are "Sinners SAVED by the Grace of God". However, they put the emphasis on being SAVED rather than on being a sinner. The problem with this is it leads to a Superiority Complex. The whole point of recognizing they are a sinner is to HUMBLE themselves. To admit that they are NO BETTER than anyone else. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, our virtues and vices. NO ONE is any better than any one else, regardless of religious affiliation.We are ALL HUMAN. The Bible mentions this too, though the way some Christians act you would think otherwise.
I actually commented on a Christian's Journal who failed to ask forgiveness from women she had offended and apologize to them and her response was that she did not apologize to "evil". The evil she was referring to was nothing more than people of a differing religion that she had called names such as "broom-riders" and "terrorists". She has missed 2 lessons completely. The one on forgiveness and the one on humbling oneself.
I don't think it matters what religion or lack of religion a person claims. As long as it helps you to become a better person then what does it matter? However, when you use the beliefs to belittle others than WHAT are you accomplishing other than pretending you are somehow better than anyone else in order to make yourself feel better? Really it's no better than a high school girl gossiping about what's wrong with EVERYBODY else's looks in order to raise her own self-esteem.
Think about it, ask questions of me if you wish. I will be formulating my next journal on asking WHO is God Rather than WHAT is God. Hopefully I'll be able to express my thoughts a little more clearly. I am off to find a notebook and pen to start my rough draft. Something I did not do with this post.
Comments:
I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ. I was also judgemental as you described in your post not too long ago. I was also very "high and mighty". Since last summer, that has all changed. I have learned something that humbled and knocked me down to the ground. God showed me that I'm unworthy to be His. The only reason I am is because He made it possible by dying for my sins. I have nothing to add nor can I add anything...because I am a sinner saved by grace. It was because of Him shedding His precious blood and dying for me. I agree with you. Alot of Christians (me included, at one time) are so self-righteous and yet we can't take credit for any of it. Instead of putting people down, instead of thinking we are better than others, instead of acting like a Pharisee...we need to thank God He chose us to be His and then, tell others of His great love for them. Thank you for this post. It is needed greatly for us to make sure we are not offending others.
I just said almost the same thing in my blogs. I am actually checking into the whole Christian faith at the moment. And boy has that been a ride. The more I read up on the bible the more I can see those who use to attack me for being pagan were no better than me being pagan. They said they were christian YET never really proved they were.
I can totally understand what you're saying. The 'point' of Christianity is to be so full and over-flowing with the love of Jesus, that it is His personality, His character, His love that is seen, and not those of the follower.
Granted, I'm no expert, I'm just another follower...but, I believe the true point and focus of living life as a "sinner,saved by grace" (as you pointed out) is His Grace. We don't want to focus on being sinners. We're human, being sinners is a given. But the Grace that He extends to save us, is so overwhelmingly good, and pure; because it has Nothing to do with the sinner and Everything to do with Him, and His goodness.
I'm sorry, that we are so feeble and self-centered and immature. I'm sorry for all the times anyone has hurt you in His name with pride or arrogance or judgement. It shouldn't happen, but we are so easily distracted from the Truth of Who He is, and why He came.
I don't know that much, but this much I do know...that Nothing compares to His genuine love, and that's something all of us need; and None of us deserve. I'm praying that God heals that hurt that we His followers have caused in you. I'm so sorry- that's really not the way we're supposed to live. ~ a follower of Jesus
theMammaof3 I do thank you for the apology you have provided though it is not needed. I haven't been hurt by any Christians, I know far too many wonderful ones to be bothered by the judgemental ones. Rather I feel badly for those who are judgemental and wonder what could have happened in their lives to lead to their actions.
I have or had a good girlfriend who does not like the fact that i am helping a young girl that is retarted with no family that needs help. She said that she will not have anything to do with me untill i stop! But continues to call me but will not come over to my house. She goes to church and used to work for Billy Graham and paints the pot black! She has abused her kids until they left and is so screwed up about her believes and thinks she is the pillow of the church! She says that girl is going to hell and my son too! My son is just friends with the girl and feels sorry for her. Sometimes she stays over here and my friend says they are having sex but i know better! I don't know what to say to her without being like her and telling her about her and her kids! I can't go back to that church cause she has told them all this crap that she thinks! She is the biggest hypocrite i have ever knowed in my life!!!!!!! God spoke to me and told me to help this girl and i was shakeing and happy and she says it was the devil! The girl has no family and can't read or write. I have the paper work on her and she has the mind of a 10 year old child with an IQ of 56. What should i tell my so called friend when she calls me again and what is her problem? She calls to talk but said she can't come over cause we are doing wrong and the girl is evil. The only wrong i do is smoke cigs.but god still speaks to me and i him. I just don't get it!
Your story sounds much like mine did workgoat. We took a 17 yo homosexual boy into our home because his parents kicked him out when they found out he was gay. He had nowhere to go, no car, and he was still in high-school. We didn't agree with his lifestyle choice, but the Lord laid it on my heart to give this boy refuge. I knew from reading about how Jesus treated sinners, which we all are, that He wouldn't have turned this boy away. As a result, the boy me he had gone to church and learned all the "thou shalls" and "thou shall nots" but he'd never "seen" Christianity in action. We forged a great friendship! He went on to graduate and is now in nursing school.
The parallel comes in because we had other Christians who told us "they didn't agree with what we were doing." I asked them, "What? You don't agree with demonstrating the love of Christ and helping someone in need?" We need to follow Christ's example and not worry about what people think or say. I think they forgot what Romans 8:1 says, "There is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
The parallel comes in because we had other Christians who told us "they didn't agree with what we were doing." I asked them, "What? You don't agree with demonstrating the love of Christ and helping someone in need?" We need to follow Christ's example and not worry about what people think or say. I think they forgot what Romans 8:1 says, "There is now NO condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Great advice Brie!!!
I could not have said it better myself at all.. I choose to be a Christ follower and sorry but he was found in the company of the "sinners" . More often then not the ones the church shunned because they were "outside" the covenant. ... TY for saying it so eloquently and I wonder how many "christians" toes got stepped on tonight..
BTW to not be a christian you sure get what God says a lot better then some of my brothers and sisters do
There is nothing christ-like about being unkind, judgemental, and self-righteous. Great post, mama!
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Have I told you how glad I am that you are back???? I know, everyone else said it too.....but yeah, YOU'RE BACK!! LOL
Great post, my dear. ♥