I've been thinking a lot about Christianity lately - particularly the way a lot of Christians portray themselves online.
I generally do not like to make many statements about my personal faith in Christ online or in my blog, not because I'm ashamed of Christ, but because often, I'm ashamed of Christians.
(Not to mention that my blog is primarily about business, and I know that many people do not like to mix politics, religion, and other personal subjects with business. People reading my blog are generally looking for real estate info, not my faith, or my favorite recipe, or a joke I found amusing, etc. For the most part, I strive to stay on the topic of real estate. But I felt this had to be stated; I believe that the Lord was nudging me to share this.)
This morning in church, we sang the simple worship song - "It's all about Jesus, Jesus, all about Jesus, Jesus..."
My former Baptist church would find the song shallow, I suppose - but, really, isn't Jesus what it's all about? Aren't we here to proclaim the love of Jesus to the lost?
Yet, so often I see Christians spewing ascerbic political statements, ridiculing people who are of a different persuasion. Making backhanded remarks about liberal Democrats, homosexuals, ardent environmentalists, believers in evolution, feminists; basically, anyone who does not subscribe to the typical conservative evangelical Christian worldview.
"Outspoken" Chrisitans who have very strong, and often offensive, opinions are lauded by fellow believers for being bold and "speaking his mind."
But what mind are we to be of?
Here are some thoughts from Philippians, my favorite book of the Bible:
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world...
What did Jesus Himself say? Wasn't it something about loving your neighbor as you love yourself, as the 2nd greatest commandment?
Who is your neighbor?
Is it the liberal democrat? The homosexual couple? The "tree hugger?" Hillary Clinton? Barak Obama? John McCain? Al Gore (I really don't like him, but I guess he is my neighbor, huh?)
I've seen comments justifying rude and arrogance on the part of Christians by comparing it to Jesus clearing the temple, overturing tables and chasing people out.
I say - who was the target of the wrath of Christ in that context? Was it the unbelievers, was it the pagan Romans?
No. It was the religious leaders who were taking advantage of the worshippers of God - the "religious right" perhaps, who turned the House of Prayer into a den of thieves. Jesus was angry with the so-called followers of God in that context. In fact, I may be mistaken, but I believe that the harshest words from Christ were for the conservative religious crowd - the Pharisees, who generally were self righteous and...arrogant...and yet, thought they were preserving the integrety of God through their strict regimens and...strong opinions.
When Jesus was betrayed and arrested, and ultimately crucified, was He spewing nasty barbs and snide comments toward those who sought to kill Him?
Oh, wait....doesn't the Bible say He was silent? And at one point, He begged the Father to forgive them, because they didn't know what they were doing?
It's one thing to have an opinion, and to express it, and it's completely another to come off as arrogant and snarky.
The pastor today commented that he doesn't like to get into debates, using evolution as an example. Nor do I. Frankly, I see the whole thing (evolution debate) as a giant straw man - deflecting our attention from what was most important to Paul:
I Cor. 2:2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
Our job as believers is to preach the gospel - the Good News, which is Jesus died for our sins and we can obtain forgiveness by having faith in Him. The bible teaches us to avoid vain and foolish arguments - and I think a lot of political arguments are vain and foolish. The church was born and flourished in one of the most oppressive and wicked governments ever - The Roman Empire. There is nothing new under the sun - and I don't think our job has changed from preaching the gospel to arguing anything else.
Thanks for bearing with me this long. In my mind I had a more concise and tightly worded epistle. LOL I don't expect this to go over too well - I've been kicked out of some conservative online communities in the past, and probably was accused of being liberal (and I'm sure my salvation was doubted by the moderators as they gave me the boot.)
I don't think sin is OKAY, by any means, before someone accuses me of condoning wickedness - I just think that it's the Holy Spirit's job to convict sinners of their sin - it's my job to share the good news, that there is mercy and forgiveness at the foot of the Cross, and it's my job to support the work of God with my finances and service.
I'll leave the politics to others. I'll close with The Fruit of the Spirit:
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
God Bless.
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Karen E. Rice is a real estate agent working in Pike & Wayne County of Northeastern PA in the Poconos. Lake Wallenpaupack is one of Pennsylvania's most popular destinations for vacations, retirement, and purchasing a home.
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