Tuesday, 29 November 2011
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Change: I Didn't Know What I Was Getting Myself Into
I am considered to be a pacifist. I accept this label because it describes my stance on violence in a simple way. However, I reject this at the same time because Christ never taught passivity. He taught about praying for our enemies, turning the other cheek, loving others, and blessing those who persecute us. This is not passive, though it is non violent. So, I would rather accept the term, "non-violent resister". I understand that can get a little complicated, so if you'd like to call me a pacifist, I probably won't correct you unless it is clear to me that you don't understand my approach to non-violence.I also consider myself somewhat of an anarchist. This term, again, raises some misconceptions. I believe that government is a legitimate authority in this world, though I believe it is dangerous to mix government and religion. I can't help but do just that if I were involved in government, so I choose to stay out of the voting system. I believe in building the Kingdom of God to bring about the change that we really wish to see in this world. I try to focus on the Godly things rather than the worldly things -- because the Kingdom of God is eternal. That is what anarchy is to me: Kingdom living. I respect my worldly authorities, though, the one with the true power sits on a throne in His Kingdom.
I am not a fundamentalist. I believe there is more to the bible than what it simply says. I believe in evolution and I believe that it is God's intended design for us to evolve. I don't believe that the Bible is God's word, but rather, that it contains God's word. There is much interpretation involved in translating scripture and we have to take the contexts of time and area into consideration. I believe the Holy Spirit still reveals God to us; the Bible shows everything we need to know for salvation.
I am a teacher. It's what I'm good at. God has given me a gift to explain Christianity in an easy-to-understand way. This is how I received my calling to pastor the Church and teach theology in a higher-education setting.
If you would have told me 7 years ago that I would be a Christian anarchist non-violent resister who has a passion to teach on the mysteries of God, I wouldn't have believed you.
In high school, I wanted to be an actor. I had no calling into the ministry. I was a war-hawk fundamentalist republican. But God has a way of turning things upside down. You don't think Jesus Christ can change a life? I am nowhere near the person I was when I was in high school.
Am I a better person because of Christ? I think so. I don't hate. I'm much nicer. I work towards peace. I don't let the little things bother me as much. I am much more generous. I am more nurturing. Before I allowed God to mold me into what God wants me to be, I would have been a much more negative person. And God isn't even finished with me yet.
Has God changed you? When did God change you? In what ways is God changing you right now?
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About the Author
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- From: jmallory@xanga
- Name: Jimmy
- Location: Dayton, Ohio, United States
- About Me: Jesus is alive and working in me. I'm just trying to manifest his glory.
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Comments (9)
There is a difference between change and growth. And there is a difference between changing your politics and changing your life.
There is also a difference between using your religion to justify your politics and having a religion that fosters spiritual growth.
Changing political beliefs from a "war-hawk fundamentalist republican" to a "Christian anarchist non-violent resister" and trying pass it off as some sort of God-inspired revelation trashes everything Jesus lived and died for.
Thinking that a particular brand of politics makes for a better person is simply an admission that politics is your religion. Jesus never taught anything even remotely like that.
Has God changed you?...
You might find my story interesting. You can read it with the amazon "Look Inside" feature here:
http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Pacifism-Fruit-Narrow-ebook/dp/B005RIKH62/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322630098&sr=8-2
@homealivein45@xanga - You didn't understand the post, as I suspected you wouldn't.
@sdcougar@xanga - That looks interesting. I am seriously considering buying it!
@jmallory@xanga - You referred to yourself at least 40 times in that short essay.
Clearly, whatever religion you believe in, it's all about you.
And if it's all about you, it surely isn't about Jesus.
@homealivein45@xanga - It's about how God changed me... of course I would refer to myself.
@jmallory@xanga - Changing your politics isn't God changing you. And there is very little about God in your post since the post is all about you.
That you don't see a problem with referring to yourself at least 40 times, sometimes 3 times in the same sentence is astounding.
God changed me at and through baptism (you know, the washing of regeneration) where He adopted me as an heir, as His child. Pray that He would guide you with wisdom to where you could be of service to Him and to His glory as you serve others.
@homealivein45@xanga - You know... I'm just going to ignore this. It may do you some good to listen more and speak less.