Breaking the Silence
Last night an anonymous comment was left over at think sink which resulted into a bit of a mini blogging world argument. While I wont go into much detail about the argument, I did want to touch on something that was said that completely took me a back. One of the bloggers involved made a comment about how she was “not a compassionate Christian” and how she is a, “let ‘em burn in hell” kind of Christian. My first thought upon reading that was- whoa. Immediately I wanted to judge her for her statement, as I thought it was completely off the wall, but though it took restraint, I stopped myself. I know that I do no have the right to judge; I wouldn’t want to get another case of log eye again!
And so I went to bed. This morning, I woke up, the conversation still running through my head. I started to think, what kind of Christian am I? I would love with all my heart to say that I am the “reflect the love of Christ in everything I do, and spread the good news” Christian like Paula, but I knew that wasn’t true. I definitely don’t just want ‘em to burn, so that wasn’t true either. I realized that I’ve become a rather quiet Christian, and I am not proud of that. It seems as though my silence is doing the same thing as the person who offended me by saying, “let ‘em burn in hell”. My friends, and family who haven’t been saved, and yes even strangers who I may or may not get along with, if I do not show them the love of God and spread the good news to them, then what am I doing to further the kingdom? Nothing.
I know that if it hadn’t been for the “reflect the love of Christ in everything I do and spread the good news” Christians in my life, I would have been on a straight path to Crispyville, destined to spend my life burning.
I’ve got to say I think Satan must love the quiet Christians, just as much as the let em burn Christians, because if anything, they are contributing more to his cause then to the kingdom of God. That’s a hard statement to swallow, knowing that I have been quiet for so long, but I know now that I need to make a change and learn to reflect the love of Christ in everything I do, and to spread the good news of Christ and what he has done in my life.
One thing that I have learned during my walk, is that as a Christian, I should be striving to be more like Jesus in everything I do. With that said, when Jesus hung on the cross, He did not do so in complete silence, He did not condemn the people to burn in hell, He simply said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” If that isn’t a statement of His love and grace for us, I don’t know what is.
What kind of Christian are you?
posted by Steph @ 7:00 AM
21 comments
21 Comments:
Take this in the spirit in which I intend it: I'm glad the comment conversation shook you up. I intend to provoke introspection with many of my posts. Far too often we as Christian do just sit idly by, while the world deteriorates further into the cesspool of moral relativism and blatant anti-Christian bigotry.
I also believe, in that vein, that too often we as Christians have a milquetoast view of Jesus. I thought alot about our little spat last night, too. And while it's not directly related, a thought came to me: in the garden, at the time of Jesus' arrest, Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of one of high priest's servants. And Jesus condemned his action immediately. But he did not condemn Peter's having the sword. I think if Jesus had a problem with Peter carrying a sword, he would have made that plain to Peter long before that night. And why would Peter carry a sword? To use it. For self-defense, for defense of Jesus and the other disciples. Perhaps at times, in extraordinary circumstances, to attack.
My point is, I think you've overly harshly judged Stacy's comments. I don't condone a "let 'em all burn in Hell" attitude, but neither do I worship a Jesus who never sends us into the fray, even at times to attack our enemies. I ask you to spend some time at Stacy's blog and get to know her. I think it will change your judgement of her.
Glad to have you poke around Think Sink any time. And the instigator of all this, the troll, has been banned. It's my place and I set the rules, and I don't want people cluttering the place up whose only interest is in being rude and profane, so he/she/it is gone.
In no way was this post to jab at Stacy (thus why i left her name out of it all together) but to post that my own moral standing has been shaken because of the tiff. While I can say to you that i truely DiD want to judge her for her actions, i got a little tap on the sholder from God saying, "excuse me, your behavior is sending people down the same path"
The other thing is that again, while part of me (the part i am not so proud of) WANTED to Judge, the other part of me KNEW that i have NO RIGHT to judge her. I understand that you may feel the need to attack your enimies, but why not throw the love of Jesus at them, Hurl the word of God, and suffocate that person with love.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)
If we get into this- we will end up arguing again and that is not my intent. I think we may have to simply agree to disagree.
Thanks for sharing your opinion!
Steph
i think everyone should have there right to say what they think, as long as you don't wish bad things on someone, i am not a god thinker, but i wouldn't condeemn anyone who is, think they are very lucky
I am just as much to blame for the annonymous comment made toward Stacy, as Steph and I were blogging together. It's easy to click 'publish' but then later upon self examination you can see that you are guilty of the same thing that you are blaming others for.
Steph: "I understand that you may feel the need to attack your enimies, but why not throw the love of Jesus at them, Hurl the word of God, and suffocate that person with love."
I'm more than willing to do that if there is even the slightest indication the person would be receptive to such. In the case of on-line trolls, there is not only no such indication, but every indication to the contrary: they live for the sole purpose of slamming others, and in my space I will not tolerate it. If they wish to be civil and comment, fine. If they wish to leave their troll droppings (such as calling our president "a tool"), they will feel my momentary scorn and be banned. And please note, I'm not including you among the trolls!!!
And Darlene, apology accepted, though I'm not sure you really owed anybody one. Thanks for your friendship, both of you.
Now, let's get back to blogging.
{ahem} That includes you, Darlene...
Jeff-
A seed planted in Christ is a seed planted in Christ. Others may not seem receptive to the love you give them and i know that it can be frustrating, but dont lose hope just because you may not be around to see that seed grow.
But i also understand that trolls can be difficult- and sometimes its hard to show love to someone who seem to just want to get under your skin for the sake of it.
Like I said, we will simply just have to agree to disagree on this one Jeff :)
Being two very different people with two very different blogs, it shouldn't be a wonder that we have two very different ways to deal with the trolls that come our way.
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Buttercup and John
THanks for the comment, and feel free to stop by anytime. You're right in saying that people really do have the right to speak their minds. Thats what this whole blogging community is about- a whole bunch of people who feel they have something to share. Because people are so diverse in beleifs its to be expected that disagreements will arise. THanks for commenting!
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Darlene you troublemaker!!! Ha ha ha, just kidding.
I have a rule about angry emails- that i have to type it, then wait a few hours (or even a day) before i send it, Perhaps we should apply the same to our commenting, eh?
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Well, just so you'll know, I checked out my troll's blog, and was not overly surprised to find positive references to gay porn among other profane things. The troll's more than welcome to continue reading my blog, but I will not allow them even the least bit of attention at my place (no comments or links), because I will not be a party to such.
I never said that the troller was a good person, but whether they are a good person or not, we should love our enemies and pray for them.
Steph
Agreed. But there is a substantive difference between "loving and praying for them" and "giving them a platform from which to advertise their filth."
And I also believe we do no one any favors if we don't aggressively confront their sinfulness and the consequences it will garner them. Loving them includes telling them at times "You're a sinner, and you're destined for Hell if you don't change."
When I said love him, i in know way ment to take off the comment ban that you have on the guy...
"And I also believe we do no one any favors if we don't aggressively confront their sinfulness and the consequences it will garner them. Loving them includes telling them at times "You're a sinner, and you're destined for Hell if you don't change."
(Jeff H: Comment 9- Paragraph 2)
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)
Matthew 21:18-19
Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.
Was Jesus acting in love by "cursing" the fig tree?
I think Jeff, that you have tried to back me into a corner with this one. If I say he WAS speaking out of love, then I affirm your belief that we should confront others and tell them they are damned to hell. If I say that he wasn’t, well then I really know nothing of Jesus, and would look like quite the fool wouldn’t I? So what I will say is this:
I think if you read further on you will see that Jesus was using the tree in order to teach his disciples. Note verse 22, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” So in that respect, I believe that he was speaking in love to his disciples as he teaches them, and also speaking of the power of prayer, even when things seem impossible. (you know, like praying for a person who seems completely unreceptive to God J
With that said, I will say this. I don’t want to argue with you and that is what this seems to be turning into. You make very valid points, and I am sure that you have many justifications for your beliefs just as I have for my own. I think we should just rejoice that we both have Jesus in our lives. I can only speak of what I believe, and really don’t think I should be arguing over it, because to be quite honest, there is only one person who REALLY knows ALL the answers, and I would rather my focus rest on Him then on some argument.
Steph
Girlfriend,
You and Darlene are causing trouble all over the place! Has anyone seen Matt??? Just joking, hee, hee! I understand where you're coming from. I deal with the same issues too. Peace and blessings!
I do rejoice that we both have Jesus in our hearts, minds, lives.
I also think it is of utmost importance to make sure we have the real Jesus in our hearts, minds, lives. For example, the Church of Jesus Christ of the Later Day Saints will claim to be followers of Jesus. But if you really pin them down on their doctrines, particularly on the subject of Jesus, you'll find that they are not worshipping Jesus Christ, God's Son, the Messiah as revealed in the Bible. They've made up another Jesus, more to their liking. It is my firm belief that, due to this doctrinal "deficiency", if you will, that unless they change what they believe, they will go to Hell. Do I do them any favors by allowing them to continue in their heretical beliefs, knowing that by doing so I allow them to continue on the road to Hell? I think not.
What we believe is EXTREMELY important. And telling others about it in no uncertain terms is equally important. And the fact that Jesus loves us, with the Father's love, enough that he willingly laid down his life in our stead, and rose from the dead to claim us and snatch us up to Heaven for eternity, is part of that belief.
Jeff, I’m so glad we are finally on the same page! That is what my WHOLE post was about. It was about NOT remaining quiet because if I remain quiet I am doing more to further Satan’s cause then to further the kingdom of God.
Obviously we are on opposite ends of the spectrum in how we choose to share the message of Christ to others, but we both believe it is important to share that message with others….
With that said, I would like to quote myself-
“I can only speak of what I believe, and really don’t think I should be arguing over it, because to be quite honest, there is only one person who REALLY knows ALL the answers, and I would rather my focus rest on Him then on some argument.”
My two cents-first I didn't read all of the comments completely, so if I skipped something, I apoligize. My burn in hell comment; I have witnessed over the years good Christians brought down by evil people. (I'm planning on doing a big posting on this in the future.) I have seen my friends and my family with nothing but good intentions towards the lost have horrific things happen to them. The troll that was at Jeff's was one of those 'when you see the sin of this one, flee, just flee'. His blog was filthy, degrading towards women, and I could tell that neither of you had investigated his blog. When I see such disgusting behavior from someone, in private I will pray for them, but publicly, I will call it was it is, SIN. There are people out there who want nothing more than to destroy Christianity, and I for one will fight to the death for it. I will be brash, I will be rude, but most of all, I will be honest. I grow very angry at the passifist Christian who is unwilling to straighten their spine and call it like they see it. I believe that God supplies his children with different perspectives and personalities to serve as a witness to the world; I'm a ticked off Christian that is tired of seeing the Messiah trashed, I will be angry and I will express it. I appreciate your post.
Great post, I enjoy your honesty.
Stacy,
Wow, you look so pretty in your new photo! I can see the weight loss. Keep up the great work. By the way, I do miss your posts!!!!!
Love in Christ,
Oily, STEPH, Gorgeous Redhead,
Forgive me for being a goof ball and calling you Stacy in my previous comment!!!
Your Sister In Christ,
I never know so many people can post on one comment board. Lol well i KNEW it but i never seen it.Although I havent been blogging for all that long.. so it happens i guess.....
And steph everyone needs to find what kind of christian they are. Some people arnt burn some people arnt quiet and some people arnt the other kind you said. There just christians and try there hardest, to let it out or whatever.
Now let us all get back to blogging
Manly Auntie Darlene
Blessings,
Aleecia
a "Save as many as I can" kind!
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