Friday, 10 August 2012
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Addressing the Differences
I find it tiresome to have to defend my own faith. Not because at times it isn't the right thing to do, but rather it's usually with people that just want to prove their own point.
Many times these same people want to justify their actions by quoting scripture -- and sometimes when scripture is quoted, it's often out of context.
Now faith is the belief in things unseen. But what I find is that people want to argue over factual, tangible things. Now, did you catch that thought? Faith is the belief in things unseen.
Why the argument then? Why is it that we have to spend time defending our faith when practicing our faith will show forth the evidence and prove what we believe to be correct and true?
It's good to defend one's faith -- as iron sharpens iron. However, it can also be counterproductive. After all, aren't there widows and orphans to take care of somewhere? Aren't there hurt people that need healing?
If we spend our time fighting, when will we actually be doing the work that is intended for us to do?
Therefore we must agree to disagree and move on.
When have you had to defend your faith? Why did you get into the argument? When have you had to agree to disagree?
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Comments (7)
Well said..& I should have known it was you Ed that wrote this.
My favourite tale on faith is the one of Francis of Assisi telling the missionaries he was sending to North Africa amongst the Muslims, to spread the Gospel, if you must , use words.
Quietly but openly doing good works says more to the observer than all the fine arguments about theology in the universe.
We live in a super-modern, media-driven culture.
That means we are inundated by ideas of every size, shape and kind.Now more than ever, Christians need to take the time to vocalize all the reasons why Christianity is greatest religion on Earth.
Everything has been said a zillion times, I think it is best not to argue, but to simply state ones faith and how it affects ones life. Good post.
peace
mark
I don't argue my faith, or defend it, or shout it to the mountaintops. I live it. Every day. My behaviors, attitudes, interaction with others. How I spend my time, my money, my talents.
Values are caught more often than taught.
Be a living example of how Christ wanted us to live, and just do it. Really not that hard when Jesus walks beside you every step of the way.
You want to be a really great basketball player? Practice every day. Dunk shots, basics like dribbling, passing, running, layups. That's a no-brainer. No different than your faith. It isn't something you trot out Sunday mornings for an hour, then forget for a week. Practice it every day, several times a day. Then it becomes automatic. It becomes who you are, not something you do. People will see the difference, then when they ask, share. If they argue, defend your beliefs with Scripture to a point, then simply state, "that's why we call it
faith"... and invite them to study the Bible and read about it themselves. If you pique their interest, perhaps they will pick up a Bible and begin to read. Or ask them to come to a worship service or Bible study with you, or invite them to go for coffee so you can discuss. It's really not that hard to do.
@markdohle - Just think what would happen if every single Christian became silent because they said to themselves, "It's been said a million times."
Christianity would disappear.Teaching must be continuous and nonstop, from day to day, year to year, generation to generation.
The continual retelling of the Gospel is the literal meaning of tradition.
And tradition is how ideas make it intact, from the past to the present to the future.
@PrisonerxOfxLove@xanga - What I meant is that arguing does no good, when the ego gets in the way it only leads to trouble. It is the Holy Spirit who does the work, all we can do is live our faith and with gentleness tell others what we believe and why. Talking down, or quoting scriptures usually does not help unless the person is open to that realilty. A great deal of harm is done when Christians become agressive and condesending towards others. On the web I react with gentleness when i am attacked because of my writings, it seems to end better that way, it stops the cycle of verbal violence.
peace
mark