Another...how long?...almost a month!?...has gone by without a real post. It's more of the same going on (see previous post). Things won't slow down significantly for me until after September 9th, when the kids go back to school. So if you've been missing me here or on your blog, please know I still love you and will get back to a more regular posting and reading schedule soon.
I did read something today that sparked my interest. On the Lifestream blog, Wayne says this:
Why is it that some other Christians seem bent on preventing others from finding freedom, whatever it may look like? If I told you that my freedom meant I could support gay marriage, you would have two choices: a) try to convince me this isn't a biblical position and you will pray for me or b) know that what I believe doesn't mean you have to believe it.
No one can deny that we have a full spectrum of people who call themselves Christians. If you want to stick your head in a hole, you could pretend that the only "real" Christians are people just like you. However, denial doesn't change anything. There are people who possess a perfectly vibrant faith and relationship with Jesus who do not believe what you believe. It's just the way it is. You can make war with them or love them.
Sometimes I'm angry at those who tell me I am wrong because I don't believe what they believe. Whatever the apparent mandate is, it seems to be a dealbreaker for my faith. As in, if I believe abc, then I must NOT be a Christian.
For instance, listening to people close to me bash the President I voted for because of this or that Christian agenda that he apparently doesn't adhere to is challenging for me. It's usually best to just walk away, knowing these people judge my faith because of who I voted for.
But...and here's the thing. I am learning grace for these things.
You see, if I am angry with people who try to steal my freedom, I'm still letting them steal my freedom. If I know Jesus is OK with me, I don't need to waste my time being angry. Anger is a defensive feeling, and I don't need to defend my freedom.
This doesn't mean it's not still a challenge, but why spend one moment being chained by other people's opinions? If, truly, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, I must embrace that and know that God is with me, and no one can steal that from me. I answer to no one above Jesus.
I did read something today that sparked my interest. On the Lifestream blog, Wayne says this:
"Even Jesus said, “Don’t bicker among yourselves over me. You’re not in charge here. The Father who sent me is in charge. He draws people to me—that’s the only way you’ll ever come.I think he really nails something here. Anyone, ANYONE, who seeks to prevent you from having real freedom in Christ doesn't get who Jesus is.
"I love that. Anyone who seeks to crawl between you and your freedom to follow Jesus, doesn’t have a clue who Jesus is.
Why is it that some other Christians seem bent on preventing others from finding freedom, whatever it may look like? If I told you that my freedom meant I could support gay marriage, you would have two choices: a) try to convince me this isn't a biblical position and you will pray for me or b) know that what I believe doesn't mean you have to believe it.
No one can deny that we have a full spectrum of people who call themselves Christians. If you want to stick your head in a hole, you could pretend that the only "real" Christians are people just like you. However, denial doesn't change anything. There are people who possess a perfectly vibrant faith and relationship with Jesus who do not believe what you believe. It's just the way it is. You can make war with them or love them.
Sometimes I'm angry at those who tell me I am wrong because I don't believe what they believe. Whatever the apparent mandate is, it seems to be a dealbreaker for my faith. As in, if I believe abc, then I must NOT be a Christian.
For instance, listening to people close to me bash the President I voted for because of this or that Christian agenda that he apparently doesn't adhere to is challenging for me. It's usually best to just walk away, knowing these people judge my faith because of who I voted for.
But...and here's the thing. I am learning grace for these things.
You see, if I am angry with people who try to steal my freedom, I'm still letting them steal my freedom. If I know Jesus is OK with me, I don't need to waste my time being angry. Anger is a defensive feeling, and I don't need to defend my freedom.
This doesn't mean it's not still a challenge, but why spend one moment being chained by other people's opinions? If, truly, where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom, I must embrace that and know that God is with me, and no one can steal that from me. I answer to no one above Jesus.
If I know Jesus is OK with me, I don't need to waste my time being angry.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great epiphany to have.
Unfortunately, as you note, it's a hard one to live up to.
-- Jarred.
so . . . can we still pray for you and you can just pretend we're not? :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, everything you're saying sounds about how I feel about those dear, faithful Roman Catholics who pray for us mis-guided, sort-of-saved-but-not-really Protestants to come back to the true church.
Hey, Jesus! You know that thing you were praying for us about unity and all that? Don't think we've gotten there yet . . .
Thanks Jarred. It only took me about 35 years to learn it. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd it is hard to live up to because for some reason people are always trying to tear it down. As if it's NOT ok for Jesus to be ok with a person unless they jump through all the hoops.
Sara - of course you can pray for me! :)
ReplyDeleteYeah unity would be a nice thing...not sure we'll ever get there, not sure he ever expected us to on this side of things. I think we're all too busy being right.
Preach on, Sister Erin!
ReplyDeleteGreat post.
Thanks Jim!
ReplyDeleteWow. This is really where I am lately. In fact, last night I attempted a post on it, but could never really put it into words...and I guess my blog is not really a safe place for me anymore.
ReplyDeleteIn the last 2 weeks I've come across more bullshit in the name of Jesus...and last night was kind of the tipping point for me. I was at a MOPS leadership meeting, and the conversation was all about how "some" people ever get to be in places of leadership - "they don't even go to church!" My reflexive reply was "just because someone does not go to church does not mean they are not a christian," but from then on, I was the black sheep. I feel like if I let my "church" friends know too much about what I really think, we'll no longer be "friends." That's hard for me because I move around a lot and I need friendship...and I can live with the fact that we believe differently, as long as we can still love one another, but sometimes the bitterness and hatred that seems to come from folks so tied to their "religious" ideals is frightening.
Grace is a good thing...wish I were able to offer it to others in the moment instead of after mulling it over and getting over my anger :)
I love this post. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Kari. I think it's sad that others think they possess the right to judge, even though Jesus explicitly states not to. Repeatedly. That really frustrates me. I don't for one moment believe God's honor must be defended (which is what these people think they are doing) if that defense means judging what a person believes and experiences of God. God is far too vast to be collected in a box.
ReplyDeleteIANAT (I am not a theologian - self-obvious, I know), but I have always thought that the Bible sifts into fairly obvious strata:
ReplyDeleteo Red letter - Jesus said it, I believe it.
o Paul - canonical, but still NOT JESUS.
o The rest of the NT
o Everything else
So, I already know I just committed about 20 heresies and am damned to Hell. So be it. That said, given the above, I always think most people who end up judging (myself included) are either judging from Paul (who, to be fair, was counseling communities on how to act towards each other, not others in other communities) or the OT. NOBODY can stand up to Jesus's light, love or judgment. So when Jesus says, "Judge not, lest ye be judged," I GET that message, and say, "Shalom!" to all my fellow bozos on the bus.
But that's just me.
Wow, reminds me of the time He said to me, "Do not suffer to be divided from any person except by Christ and Him crucified."
ReplyDeleteAnd in that moment I really got it, that is the only dividing line there is. It is the one great truth and all else is either window dressing or at least really not important enough to come in the way of love.
That was the day I started seeing the body as the body and stopped seeing the dividing lines of silly doctrine.
Jim - I use the same system you do, so I guess we're both doomed.
ReplyDeleteI think everything about faith has to be filtered through Jesus first, or else it's worthless. I hold to nothing in the bible if it contradicts anything Jesus said. Basically, if it's not loving, it's not of God.
Exactly, Tyler. The One great truth has to be the headliner.
ReplyDeleteLike the post. But I don't like Obama AT ALL, and I voted for him. He was the lesser of two evils, but still an evil. In my humble opinion. (feeling a little suacy tonight, or is it just sauced, crown and royal crown cola good, OK maybe just goofy)
ReplyDeleteHey I threw a post down on my blog, would like a 24 hour contemplation opinion, if you get the time.
http://www.rbguy.dailykos.com/story/2009/9/1/775109/-The-Pastor-(jackleg-preacher)-who-wants-Obama-to-die
ReplyDeleteThings like this are why I love your blog so much. It actually inspired me (your blog, not this dude) to go back and examine my faith.
And Jim, I am 100% with on your theological angle :)
It's nice to meet you A-cubed. Thanks for the compliment!
ReplyDelete