Wednesday, 29 December 2010
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I'm a Christian, Even If You Don't Believe Me
"I believe in God, the Father almighty, the maker of heaven and earth.... "And almost no one believes me. I hate when I'll say, "Oh! That kid goes to my church!" and someone else will look at me and say, "Haha! You don't go to church!" This makes me want to: Slap them/cry.
I'll admit it, I am a awful person. But I have pretty much stopped cursing, and saying "Oh my god". This was not an easy task for me. At all. I had started cursing when I was young and I've pretty much always said "Oh my god." That was a hard habit to stop.
I remember when I was probably around 11 years old, my friend and I went to ask her mom if she could go to church with me. She looked at us, laughed, looked at us and said, I quote, "You go to church, and you want to go to church?!" I still resent her. She's never said anything else to me but that comment.
The reason I felt any need to write this was because I found an audition for a Christian group. I showed my mom -- unfortunately I'm underage and must show her -- and she said "Why? You hate Christ?" I wanted to scream. This was one of the worst comments she's said to me. She was joking, but it hurt. A lot.
Just because you don't act it doesn't mean you don't love him. I pray every night and read my Bible. I am a Christian. I will never deny it, but I wont flaunt it for the people who are not as blessed as me with the gift of believing.
Has anyone ever been in disbelief of your Christian belief? How did you feel? Does it matter whether people see us as Christians?
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About the Author
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- From: I_Promise_Never@xanga
- Name: I_Promise_Never
- About Me: Hello, I am an insane loser, named Cami. My entire vocabulary is sarcasm and blasphemy. Meaning, I'm flippin' funny. I insult everyone I know. I try my hardest not to fit in, because after all, teenager will do anything just to be different, but few will admit to it (See the irony). I hate stereotypes, because they are never true. And I feel no need to hold back my opinion on anything. Music is not my life, like it seems to be every ones. It's more of a way to silence the world around me.
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Comments (19)
its awesome to know that you are saved.
i know i am saved and i confess with my mouth(or typing), jesus christ is my savior. salvation is in our minds (helmet of salvation;armor of God).
compared to how we are socialized in these modern days, living the christian life is fairly difficult. but it is important for others to recognize us as christians from our actions, not just by speech. Yes, we are saved, however our goal is to share love and shed light, especially to those who do not yet believe.
hypocrisy can be lethal. did you ever notice that Jesus talks and aims his parables often to hypocrites(pharisees and jewish leaders in the bible)?
just my two cents.
btw, im not calling you a hypocrite in any way.
I admit that I've been a little surprised a few times when someone's told me they attend church or are Christian, but I would never blatantly verbalize my disbelief...because that would just make ME look...at the very least...absurd.
My mom is such a creep when it comes to stuff like that. She's the biggest hypocrite I know.
I know a lot of people that go to my church and outside of church, they're a completely different person. I don't think they're commitment to God is as authentic as they feel. They're all raising their hands and nodding their heads and saying, "Praise Jesus!" in church, and I see them cussing out some fat kid and they get in a fist fight. It's annoying, to tell you the truth. Because there are people that say they go to church, and it just makes God's name and Christianity's name just as worse.
If you know you're a Christian, then great, but I wouldn't be so easy as to slide what they say. Because you have to be God's child 24/7, all the time, at church & at home & at school. It's a full time job. Yes, it's one of the hardest jobs I've ever known. They obviously have seen the way you act, and if you've changed, you need to gain their trust back. It doesn't happen overnight. I've had to deal with the same stuff. It was a rough and long road, but good luck! Talk to me if you have any questions, need to vent.
I agree with the previous comments. It's the classic faith vs deeds argument. But the answer to the debate is quite simple: the faith that saves naturally results in good deeds. I would read the book of James: it depicts basic Christian behavior, which is always a good reminder, regardless of where we are in our faiths. Believing God intellectually is not enough, for "even the demons believe- and shudder."
The Timothy's are good too."Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12Controlling what we say is one of the harder things to do (on average), so I hope you continue to follow Christ because to follow Christ is to be Christ-like.
i think the bottom line is: if you truly ARE Christian, you shouldn't behave any differently outside of church than you do inside it.
i understand that bad impulses are hard to fight. but honestly, i think most people who struggle aren't trying hard enough. i adopted an existentialist outlook on life and practically rebuilt myself from the ground up. the lesson learned? there were plenty of things i wish i could be... but i'm just not that interested in being it myself. so i stopped struggling. i always loved the thought of being extremely extroverted... but i loved it because i wanted OTHER people to see me that way. in reality, i didn't care much either way.
i don't think any aspect of our behavior is completely outside our realm of control. so let me ask you this: how badly do you want to be seen as a Christian 24/7? is it that important to you personally, or do you just feel like it should be? if it's the latter... i'm sorry to say, but i don't think you'll ever succeed in changing your behavior. you have to genuinely want it.
If no one around you seems to believe that you are a Christian, then maybe you should consider if you actually are. I'm not saying you aren't, but, Jesus did say that many are deceived and will claim to know Him and on the last day will be turned away and told He never knew them. (See Matthew 7) From what your saying, I'm guessing you probably are, and sometimes fruit takes a little while to grow. Don't be discouraged, but also be sure that you are in Christ.
Oh, and as far as the language goes, some Christians cuss, it isn't pretty, but it isn't necessarily a sin either. In the end it makes you look ignorant, work on dropping the habit. I quit cussing less than a year after I got saved, I believe. I think one thing many people do wrong is they try to replace cusswords with softer sounding words that still imply what they wanted to say. Instead of that, drop the whole idea from your vocabulary. Don't say dang instead of damn, instead don't say either.
If you have time, I'd suggest this video to you as well.
I can sympathize. I have a similar problem. I told a friend of mine that I am an atheist a few weeks ago and her response was, "You? No way! You're too nice to be an atheist!" Apparently, she was unser the assumption that all atheists are baby-eating Satan worshippers.
It's always disappointing how judgmental people can be when it comes to religion.
@MagisterTom@xanga - "If no one around you seems to believe that you are a Christian, then maybe you should consider if you actually are."
Because Christianity is ah-so based upon how others perceive you.... psht.
Oh Wow! Where to begin!
1. In Christ, you are certainly blessed and NOT "a loser." It's normal when you are still young in Christ to be sometimes unsure about these things. 2. In praying and reading your Bible for yourself privately and not to be seen by others doing it, you are on the right path to understanding and knowing HIM and making progress toward living out true Christianity. 3. I perceive that you are a young lady inwardly searching for the Truth and beginning to recognize Jesus IS the Truth. In fact He said He is not only The Truth but also The Way and The Life! Hmmm? 4. You are assuredly correct in not permitting others to define your relationship with Jesus for you based upon their misconceptions.And of course they cannot see what is going on inside of you! BUT remember: Jesus said they would know you as His disciple by your expressions of love for them. He didn't say exactly when they would begin to know you in that way.And right now I see in your words that you are struggling with the whole idea of loving them on any level, much less grasping that God actually loves each and every one of us, including all of them, even as unlovable as we all are. Guess what! I am old now and still struggling with that last one myself. Welcome!
I love you in Christ Jesus, Little Sister of Mine!
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OK...please don't take this the wrong way, but Christianity in nor supposed to be your personal secret. I am happy that you love Jesus, go to church, and read the bible, really. However, going to church and reading your bible does not make you a Christian anymore than standing in a garage sand saying "vroom" makes you a car. Now, I'm not accusing you of not, but if nobody believes that you are a Christian, then you need to change something. This is not a religion, it is a relationship that requires your whole life, not just a part of it. We are called to be imitators of Christ, to be his hands and feet, and to make disciples of the nations. It's not supposed to be your little secret. Now I'm not telling you to go out and whack people over the head with a bible, but if you were arrested for being a Christian, then there should be enough evidence, without a plea, to convict you. If you do not wish to preach, that's fine, and actually, encouraged. I don't like to unless I am dealing with fellow Christians, but you should still be LIVING you beliefs. It should be obvious in your relationships, in your attitude, in the way you treat other people. There ought to be this Christ-like love in your dealings. I know this doesn't sound the best trying to find the right words, and they just aren't coming, but it's not "flaunting your blessings" but sharing them if you know what I mean. Loving them in the way that you are loved by Jesus.
I also must point out that there is a significant difference between belief and faith. I would recommend reading Hebrews 11, as this passage most clearly explains the difference I think. belief is easy. Belief, requires no real work. Even the demons believe in Jesus. Faith is acting on that belief. Again, I'm sorry if this came across badly, I am having trouble using my words today. I have no doubt that you do, in fact, as you have said, love Jesus. Just a few ideas to consider and things to work on."Just because you don't act it doesn't mean you don't love him." --I_Promise_Never
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." --Jesus Christ, Matthew 5.13~16
"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." --Jesus Christ, Matthew 16.24; Mark 8.34; Luke 9.23
"But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." --Paul of Tarsus, the Apostle; Acts 26.20
It would seem that the Bible and Miss I_Promise_Never's quote differ diametrically...
@ultravioletskies08@xanga - I didn't say anything is based on how others perceive you, what I said is that if everyone else thinks you aren't a Christian, then you need to examine yourself to see if you really are. If you are driving down the road and 3 other drivers get your attention to tell you that you have a low tire, you're going to check it the next time you get stopped. Same thing here.
@MagisterTom@xanga - You very well may be right. But to me that's a terrible example. I'm just saying, other people's perception of whether you are or not... means nothing. That's what this entire post is about.
I'm had many people criticize my walk with Christ because of previous actions. Thankfully, I know that God loves and forgives ALL. As well as you. He is filled with JOY, knowing that you are trying for Him. I can't even say that I read my Bible everynight- I think that is a wonderful reflection of your faith. Great job! Just remember that we will all be persecuted through our walk through Christ, but He knows our faith. <3
I am somewhat in your shoes... I never cursed or did anything vile and what not, but it is what happens to me in church that bugs me. The church I am going to now, I don't know how to describe it, is very judgmental. When I first got there, everyone seemed nice and friendly. Things seemed to be all nice and peachy until a couple of months later. We were having communion this day, and when the platter was by me, the man holding it took a glance at me and pulled it away. I have no idea what the reason is for! I've been saved, baptized, lived according to the word and everything and they refused to let me partake in communion. I continued to go to the church and the atmosphere changed... Another thing happened... I wanted to join choir because I love worshiping god through music, and when I asked the lady if I could join, she told me I couldn't because I wasn't baptized by THEM! I've been baptized, but they need to baptize me in order to be part of anything in their church... What do you think of that??? Then everyone started to talk behind my back, saying things... especially because I began to take trips every weekend to las vegas, nevada, to bring my cousin who lives with me to see her mom, and I wouldn't come back till late sunday. They began to think that I was backsliding, and going to casinos and gambling and sinning and what not. I even told them what I was doing there and they still didn't believe me. I could see it in their eyes. It was obvious. Like when you know your kid is lying to you... So then on Thanksgiving they had a church gathering dinner thing and they invited me, and I kindly declined explaining to them that I wanted to have a family dinner with my own family, and their response, they got angry. Then this sad christmas, my great grandma passed away and I was to go to oregon to visit my grandparents and to see if I could help with preparations for the funeral, and that weekend the church was having a christmas get together and invited me. I told them why I couldn't go and then they started to complain. They said that i should stay for church and then leave after the service. I already explained to them that I had to drive from here(california) to oregon in one day, and that I needed to leave early since it was a 16 hour drive. But they kept insisting. I don't know. I'm sorry this was super long and extensive, but I know in a way what you feel. They believe that I'm not a christian when i truly am, and they are quick to judge me on my actions. I just hate the feeling... and I've always tried looking for another church. But something keeps drawing me back to this one im in now. And people should know that we are christians. We, as gods people, need to show non believers the right path to take. We set an example by our actions. Once they see the difference in us than they see in others, they will want to walk the path we are in..
Just keep walking, I am rough around the edges and have walked with Christ for 10 years. Unfortunately, I have been judged by many a Christian for not meeting what i have found to be an expectation born from an American Christian culture.
Over the years I have been met with distrust, discrimination, and just plain been blown off by Christians in the church and out of it. You can't let it get you down, just remember what Christ says about you and keep walking that road. A lot of people are going to discourage and encourage you on the way.
I get where you're coming from.
There are things I do and surround myself with that are not your typical christian activities. Such as meditation...I am trying to get into that routine, but at my church, meditiation is something only hindus do or something like that. Sometimes, you get responses like this because you're outside the box and the norm of things.
Above all, be comfortable with who you are in Christ and make it your goal to get to know him more and more each day and try to immerse your life with him, and he will shine through.
Oh yeah, my beliefs were questioned to the point of a baptist preacher telling me I should go elsewhere. Found out I was of the wrong political persuasion, and two of the men at church told me I could not be a Christian if my politics included social justice. Pretty heady stuff, the power to decide what God thinks of me. Scaring people into Christianity is a farce.