Wednesday, 15 April 2009
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You Are Breaking God's Heart
Fellow Christians, I think most of us need to take a step back, and look at what we're doing. Because it is us, not the unsaved, that are breaking God's heart right now. And it's breaking my heart too. I can't just sit back and let it continue. My whole post could almost be summed up by the following:
Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV): Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Jesus lived a life of love, why can't we?
I understand that you want non-Christians to come to know God; I do too, believe me. But, I just think certain people (though certainly not everyone) are going about this completely wrong. If you live your life in love, the way you were taught (by Christ), people could possibly see it, catch on, realize that you have something they want, maybe even something they need. Don't you want them to see what is different in you?
However, if you go around constantly judging people for all the wrong that they are doing, what on earth makes you think that they are going to want to come to God? What would make it attractive to them? How will it help them to see the light? And besides all that, we weren't put here on earth to judge. It's not our job.
Now, don't get me wrong... I think correcting a fellow Christian in love, is certainly something we can (and should) do. But that is completely different from telling someone who isn't a Christian that they are living all wrong. In their eyes, they aren't. And there is no way that you're going to convince them otherwise until God works a miracle in their heart just as he did in your heart.
Also, I'm not saying you can't share your faith, there is nothing wrong with that, in fact, we're called to do so. But we aren't called to FORCE it on to people. Not everyone is going to come to Jesus immediately when they find out about him. Sometimes all you can do is gently plant the seed. Share your faith and hope they understand, or that one day they will. Pray for them. But don't yell at them. Don't fight with them. What good will it do?
I know that I'm not the only one who feels this way (here is another great entry on the subject). I in no way claim to be better than anyone else. I just want what's best for God and God's people. I just want us to be a better reflection of who he is.
I feel that God's heart is breaking. Let's all take a good long look at our own lives, try to grow closer to Christ in relationship, and by doing so, live a life of love.
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About the Author
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- From: flowerspushthrudirt@xanga
- Name: Shaunna
- About Me: I want to live every moment of my life worshipping my savior. And loving the way Jesus did. ***************************************************************************** But a certain sign of grace is this: From a broken earth flowers come up pushing through the dirt.
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Comments (67)
The more Christians decide to be arrogant and rude, the more we shut them down, and the more irritable they become.
I don't think Christians will live a life of "love" anytime soon.
I 100% agree with this. I see people on my campus all the time passing out pamphlets that basically threaten people with eternal damnation if they don't repent immediately, shouting at people who just walk past them, etc. From what I've seen, most of those pamphlets end up in the trash. I don't think that's an effective way to introduce people to a loving relationship with Christ.
But I wish that more Revelife bloggers would elaborate more on what "share your faith" actually means. For me, it's having religious conversations with my friends where we all are open to learning about each other's views and share our deepest beliefs. But other people have different ways of doing that. There may be no "right" way, but some ways are definitely more effective than others.
Thank you for writing this!
Jesus wants to save Christians!
I know. I have a problem. I like to pick things apart. And fight. And it has nothing to do with my religion. It has to do with me and my desires for intellectual conquest.
Does anyone ever have anything positive to say about the church?
@Theophilus166@xanga - Sure they do, but if there are problems in a Christian community (and there are many) they must be announced so that we may fix them or allow God to fix them. This was an important message and I am glad she brought it up...
If you want to talk about something good, by all means, post it on revelife. Until then, allow this... because it is good. Besides, if more people write posts like this and more people take it to heart, then there will be more people speaking good things about the church.
for real dude. we are all brothers and sisters. we need to (like you said) "take a step back" and just chill, not judge, but just show people with open hearts how haggard it is being a Christian.
@jmallory@xanga - Trust me, I know that. I'm part of the embittered 20 somethings who think the Religious Right and conservative Christianity has often missed the point. It's just that it seems that 90% of Revelife posts are about how awful Christians are and how they're doing everything wrong. And usually "they" are the ones screwing things up.
Amen!
@Theophilus166@xanga - I see your point. But try not to look at this as if it were a negative... look at it as if it is an encouragement to do better.
And then, maybe this post doesn't really apply to you. That's ok too, but the point is innocent and encourages us to be a little better at what we do, am I right?
@Theophilus166@xanga - No. =D
Exactly, I actually rarely enter into a conversation about religion with Christians (despite being a Christian myself) because they are so unloving.
I'm waiting for some Christian to come in here defending themsleves with some Bible verses that condone their douche baggery. Any minute now...
@lovechartreuse@xanga - I've seen it too... But I really, truly hope you're wrong.
@sarahzthoughts@xanga - Yeah, it hurts to see people doing that sort of a thing. In my opinion, sharing your faith would just be letting people know that you're a Christian, maybe having a little discussion if they're open to it... But, maybe you should do a blog on what you think it means to share your faith or something? Just a thought.
@jmallory@xanga - That sounds so funny, but is so true, "Jesus wants to save Christians"
@thecommonfate@xanga - I guess a lot of people are like that. Even though I've seen Christians argue a lot, I've seen people of other religions trying to instigate it. Like they're just enjoying the argument. I wonder if there could be a more constructive way to do this without offending people or something? Discussions are still great, and examining things, trying to understand things. It's wonderful. I just don't want people getting the wrong idea, you know?
@Theophilus166@xanga - Of course, there are PLENTY of good things to say about the church. Just, in this moment, there is so much hurt going on around here, it's nearly unbearable. But the church does so much good, and there is so much love in my church family. Maybe that will be another post?
@House_of_Jupiter@xanga - Thank you so much for you comment supporting my blog entry.
@sarahflorida1085@xanga - Thank you. :)
@jmallory@xanga - Thanks... and maybe he's right and I should have just been more encouraging... But I couldn't help that overwhelming feeling that hearts were breaking. Including God's. And I guess I thought it was important to make that known.
@Soul_Pizza@xanga - My goodness, I hope not.
@trickery19@xanga - :\ I'm so sorry. I pray it gets better. Maybe it will?
@flowerspushthrudirt@xanga - "Jesus Wants to Save Christians" is a book by Rob Bell... it makes a lot of great points... points that you have brought up yourself :)
Thanks for this post. It would be revolutionary and very refreshing if Christians were truly known for our love.
Jesus's harsh words were for religious people. He was amazingly mild in his dealings with the messed-up. He honored them, in fact: touching lepers, talking to women of ill repute, eating with the city scum. He didn't minimize their sin, but he didn't judge them either.
@flowerspushthrudirt@xanga - It's true. It's why I prefer to stick to arguing more...secular subjects.
I applaud you for writing your thoughts out in a way that everyone can understand...but when it comes to generalizing or criticizing a belief this big, with so many different people, it's hard to not offend someone...or a lot of people. So many of us have different interpretations of love and one person may be so adamant that his/her  definition is better than someone elses...but in the end, it's all a personal relationship with God; when we all stand in front of God one day, He'll look at us and ask if we truly did what He willed us to do...and every single person will know if he/she did or not.Â
I implore everyone, be more aware of how you might be coming off. No one can tell you that you're in the right or wrong, unless you can take a step back and put yourself in others shoes, and above everything else, like this blog says, live a life of love.ÂThank you for this!
Alot of people think witnessing is JUST going out into the highways and byways and getting the Bible out and speaking to people about God's word. (Which, for the record, is one great way of witnessing).
But I have always viewed witnessing as being multi-faceted. I can be a loving, caring, thoughtful, considerate, kind individual to all my peers and strangers alike. I can let God's love show from the inside out, and the Joy of the Lord can shine out of me, and I know that in that way, I am also witnessing. Someone will wonder how I'm so happy, and that can open up to tell others about my reasons (Jesus!) of why I'm so joyous!
Love for ourselves and others is a testimony. I'm glad you posted this! Thank you!
This is a wonderful post and I agree whole heartedly. Nobody is doing Christ or his mission more harm than his own people. I'm a Christian, and I've always been confused as to why other Christians disgust me. It took a long time for me to realize that many Christians (I'm trying not to say MOST, even though it's true in my experience) are more in tune with their own narcassistic views than Jesus' message of love and tolerance.
What I really want is for other christians to let people be who they are...and not try to make them christian.
I agree with everything in this. But it often seems as though Christians cannot do anything, even talking about ourselves and our beliefs, without someone feeling offended. I understand the forceful ones, those I can only forgive because they believe so strongly in the Truth, that it comes out as force....
I mean there are people who are upset at the fact that something like revelife exists, simply because it's a Christian site and not an Agnostic, or Buddhist, or etc. site. That's not fair.
And alot of people blame this on Conservative Christians, when not all of us are forceful. If you actually broaden your horizons many people will realize Conservative Christians do have hearts from those who are different than us.
@flowerspushthrudirt@xanga - Yeah, I don't mean to pick on your post. There's nothing wrong with it - it's just a buildup from reading so many posts like it. I just feel like this sentiment is all I ever hear.
I am brand new to xanga, so here goes. This is the very subject I was teaching in my K-2nd grade class at church tonight. Love one another! We have to start young. Many churches are more concerned with getting them "saved" (which is the most important thing) than growing them right. If peolple are not taught about the love God has for us and the love He wants us to show everyone, then salvation will be pretty hard to understand. You don't have to be "saved" to love, but you do have to know love to be saved.