For the record, I quite dislike the culture (and fashions!) of the 60's. Despite this fact, I am often called a "Flower Child" by folks who know me personally. Maybe it is my garden. Or maybe it is the fact that I always say "Peace and Love, man" when it comes to matters where folks tend to disagree the most. Especially religion, which is always a hot button topic! As a matter of fact, I always think of that old reliable saying that you should never discuss religion or politics in polite conversation. But I digress......
I have been feeling a bit sad as of late. It seems like some Christians (not all, of course. No hasty generalizations here...) have in many ways lost the basic ability to just get along with those who are supposed to be our brothers and sisters in Christ. I guess the main questions that I have about all of this are: If we, as Christians, fight against each other how on earth does this make us look to other people who may not be Christians or who may be struggling in their walk with the Lord? If we can't get along with each other, how does that make us look to the rest of the world? Are we REALLY living what Christ has taught us in the Bible that we share? What is more important: spreading what YOU believe is the word of the Lord or showing love and compassion to those whose personal beliefs may be different from your own?
I could go on. And on and on and on. But I think that you get the picture. Where is the peace and love? Where is the mercy and forgiveness? I would be interested to hear any readers (all two of you) thoughts on this. What is the greater sin: allowing someone to continue to live in what you may perceive as an error of thought or to treat a fellow human (or Christian) in a manner that could be considered unkind but justify it by saying that you are trying to "save" them? These are thoughts that just keep swimming around in my head.
Anyway, peace and love everyone! Have a nice weekend, too! :)
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7 comments:
All 3 of us. :)
since you asked
everyone needs to check their OWN motives. Trying to correct someone's error because we want to be right or win a debate or even in revenge is wrong. The excuse that "she started it" just doesn't satisfy me.
Trying to correct someone's error for their benefit is another thing altogether. And it will look and sound and read very different from the other reasons. It will be reasonable and kind but firm as well.
Keep in mind, I am talking to myself here. Checking my OWN motives. I'm pretty bad at it much of the time.
Personally, I find the latter far more offensive.
In my very humble opinion, my relationship with God is between me and Him. Ultimately, I am responsible for what I do or don't do.
I believe I know of whom you speak and I find it incredibly tiresome.
I feel strongly that stirring up strife or causing (or attempting to cause) division within the Body of Christ is damaging to our testimony. Simplistic as it sounds, if a person claims a relationship with Jesus, who am I to say whether they are Christian or not? I'm not the one who will make that call...
Why is there a disconnect...we can correct with kindness. Kindness is what is lacking.
One party is writing sincerely held beliefs and not publishing comments that disagree. For the most part, she stays "in her own place".
Another party goes into other places, for the express purpose of disagreeing (and I, personally, have been accused of hatred by this "another party".)
If you are going into places for the purposes of disagreeing, and you are not the best on kindness, you (generic you, not directed at a person) should not whine if folks aren't very nice to you.
see, you've got lots of readers!
Thanks for commenting, everybody! :) I had a great comment typed out a little bit ago, hit publish, and then sobbed when I realized that blogger lost my comment. Oh well. You all made great points. A day or so after I posted this, I thought of a wat to phrase my questions that was possibly better and more concise: How do you live the Gospel message? I guess that this would be an expansion on the discussion the Ellen brought up over a month ago about how folks define the term Gospel. For me, it is less about telling other folks about the good news and more about living the good news in my thought, word, and deed. I totally inderstand that this is a loaded question and dependent on your personal defintion of the word Gospel. But it is an interesting discussion. Well, it is to me anyway. :)
plesea excuse the typos in my last post. I'm tired and I think that I am going to bed now.
1 Peter 3:15-16 says "Always be prepared to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence."
Many times my thoughts are misunderstood but this is the verse that guides me.
God bless,
Sallie
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