Revisiting a post that got some serious thoughts from readers. If you didn't get a chance to read it before, I would love to hear your thoughts.
Philippians 2:5
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
Dear Christian,
I have to be honest...I have mixed feelings about you. A love/hate relationship if you will. It's like looking at two sides of a coin, trying to figure out which one is really you. Part of me wants you so bad...but the other side of me is too scared to jump in.
There are days that you amaze me. I look at you and see the most loving eyes, the most gentle hands, the most open heart. I watch as you take care of your community, as you reach out to the poor and the needy, as you mend the hearts of the broken.
I am overcome by your ability to reach into my loneliness. Reminding me that I'm not all by myself. That someone really does care for and love me. Somehow you always seem to know just what I need...it's as though you had a direct line to God, or something.
I am challenged by the way you give up your time, your money...and your self for others. I'm drawn to the fact that you are so humble, yet so confident. You're honest about the fact that you don't always have it together...but that you're working on it. I love that genuineness...it pushes me to be real with my self as well.
There is something about your smile that seems real to me. It makes me wonder where you get such joy. How you have such strength. It makes me long for what you have.
Sometimes I look at your faith, and the way you hold on with all of your heart...and wish I had something to give my all to.
But then I get stuck. I get stuck because I see the other side to your who you are, and I find myself confused. Because some days you amaze me, but other days you disappoint me.
Other days, it's as though something has come over you. You aren't acting like yourself. You are filled with pride and arrogance, acting like you really know it all and have it all together. It makes me scared to come to you with my problems...because I'm afraid you won't understand.
It breaks my heart to watch you so caught up in the things of this world...money, fame and fortune. It's as though the American Dream has got you on a leash. I thought you talked about bigger things? I thought you said this world wasn't your home? Then why do you seem so comfortable here?
Some days, it's as though you have an opinion about everything. What I should wear, who I should be friends with, what I should eat and drink. I feel judged by you, not loved. I feel as though I am under a magnifying glass...and you're picking me apart, never satisfied to just let me be who I am.
I want to get closer to you...to try and understand you...but your holier-than-thou attitude reminds me that I can't get too close. Maybe I'm not good enough for you. Maybe I'll never be.
Either way, I'm going to keep watching...waiting to see the real you. There's a part of me that wants what you have...but a part of me that's still confused. I'll be here. Waiting for you to show me who you really are. Until then, don't be surprised if I keep my distance. I want to get closer, but I have to keep myself safe.
I hope you figure this out soon. I hope you decide who you really want to be and stick to it. When you do, come find me.
Cautiously watching,
The World
(This is part two because it says there is a character limit).
ReplyDeleteBut I have something else to say about the reason so many in today’s culture are rejecting Christ. Your post attempts to place responsibility on Christians for the wrong reason (their faults), but I find that Christians are indeed responsible to some degree for the prevailing Godless culture. But when you tell them the real reason they are contributing to unbelief, I find that Christians often walk away and make excuses of their own for not doing the right thing.
So how are Christians culpable for today’s Atheistic culture? Because they directly disobey 1 Peter 3:15, “but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you;”
The main reason people don’t believe in Christ today is because they have been taught the religion of Atheism/Evolution in the public school system. I realize many Christians have rejected the word of God in Genesis, and thus think it shouldn’t make a difference if people believe in Evolution or not, but it makes all the difference. Because Evolution makes it possible for people to tell themselves that nature just created itself. And if you can really tell yourself that, why believe in God? Why be crucified with Christ when you can be living it up?
You pain the picture that the Christian leads this wonderful life that everyone would want if only Christians could behave themselves. But God’s word says:
Matthew 7:13,14:
13 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14 "Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
1 Corinthians 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.”
So what can we do to turn the tide of unbelief in the modern era? This video explains our responsibilities in sharing the faith within this modern culture:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/media/video/ondemand/aa-reform/aa-reform
All of the parts are there, I don’t know why it only says “Part 3B.”
Christian apologetics is needed. Perhaps we can talk more in the future, I’d love to hear your thoughts on those videos, God bless. :)
- Jason
Jason,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all thank you for taking the time to read my blog, and for taking the time to think through and share your thoughts.
You are right in saying that this post has a lot of personal meaning. But essentially, this post is not written to UN believers, but believers.
Let me back up and say that I agree with you regarding the fact that there is a tendency to use excuses as an easier way to "reject" God. There will be a day when all of mankind will stand before the feet of Jesus- and there will be no excuses. Everything will be exposed on that day and the only thing that will suffice is the blood of Jesus that was shed on our behalf. That, no one can argue.
But on the other hand, Christians have a very large responsibility to be followers of Christ. By followers, we are to emulate Him to the best of our ability. God calls us to be his witnesses and to go and make disciples. We cannot make disciples when we ourselves are not living "discipled lives". Though we are not "responsible" for the hearts of others, we are accountable. There is a difference.
1 Corinthians 8:9 reminds us that we are not to be a stumbling block to those who are weaker...if we are not to be a stumbling block to the weaker Christian, then how much more to those who are not believers.
With regard to your second point, evolution/atheism. I disagree with this. I do not think that teaching evolution is the sole reason there are Godless men and women. The reality is, 80% of America "believes" in God. Their beliefs are not being lived out. There is a lack of discipleship, teaching, accountability and evangelism. This is the church's responsibility. We are the hands and feet of Jesus....if each of us are not personally discipling at LEAST one individual, than we are not living the way Jesus asked us to live.
ReplyDeleteI DO agree that it is important for men and women to wrestle through their worldviews- origin is a big part of this- but I don't think this is the "reason" there is so much Godlessness. I tend to look at life through a much more complex lens than to be able to point to one single thing.
I DO agree with the reality that science has done it's best to exclude Jesus, rather than integrate him. This is problematic to say the least. The two are not mutually exclusive. They should never be.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and taking the time. I'm going to check those videos and let you know! Thanks again for your thoughts.
Jason,
ReplyDeleteFor some reason it was deleted on my blog, not sure why. But the first part of your post got sent to my email as did the second:)
Looking forward to watching those videos!