We must assess our thoughts and beliefs and reckon whether they are moving us closer to conformity to Christ or farther away from it.
~ by John Ortberg ~
There are times in our life when all believe that our thoughts and our ways are the only true "way" of Christ. Even so much so that we condemn or scold other Christians for not believing the same way that we do even to the point of saying, "You can't be a Christian if you think that way". Scripture is very clear on some things:
- Do not murder
- Do not commit adultery
- Do not gossip or slander (oops.. do we forget this one?)
- Do not give up natural relations with the opposite gender to indulge in relations with the same gender
- Do not fornicate.
- Do not lie
- Do not have any other Gods before Him
Matthew 19:19
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"
Then there are some things that are not a direct command from God and we must seek Him to know how to handle these situations in our lives. For instance, what movies or TV shows we can watch, what music we can listen to, how we *discipline our children, and what foods we can eat. These things are all a matter of personal conviction. What God says you should do for your family may not be relevant to someone else. We must stop imposing our convictions on others because that only causes division and that is what the enemy wants (Matthew 12:25). This division due to beliefs does not bring us any closer to God.
The thought that we are holier or better than someone else due to our beliefs does not bring us any closer to God. In fact, it separates us from Him and could cause a brother or sister to stumble.
If we see someone with what we perceive to be sinful behavior and it is not directly forbidden in the bible then we must seek God in prayer about the matter and let Him guide us as to how to handle it. We may need to change our thoughts toward that person especially if they are judgemental. We must repent for those thoughts as well. These are things that will bring us closer to God.
Galatians 5:13
You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature ; rather, serve one another in love.
*PLEASE NOTE: I feel I have to add this since some view this as a hot topic but by saying "discipline" I am not referring to "beating children". Just want to clear that up before anything gets stirred.
Stumble it!
15 Thoughts Shared:
What an excellent post. Sometimes we do get caught up in the non-essentials and let an essential, like love fall through the cracks.
Thank you for sharing this thought-provoking quote. It was funny that a friend and I were talking in line with this earlier today - and then I come here to find this quote. Definitely a "God thing"!
AMEN sister!! Let me say it again, and with conviction....AMEN sister!!
You speak my heart! It's alive and well, this belief that one is better than another...I see it in my own corner of the world and it drives me CRAZY....
I read it twice...
I don't usually do that...it was just really good...
If we could spend less energy on "why mine is better than yours" and more time growing closer to HIM personally, and seeing what HE wants from ME...oh boy the world would be a much better place....
all this finger pointing and "My way or the highway" just doesn't sound like Jesus....does it...
again...AMEN!
that gal in the back from Ga. with the really short hair....she LOVED it!!
Happy Tuesday!!
lori
You gave us a lot to think about Amy. Thanks for your boldness for CHRIST! I know I sure don't want to be a stumbling block to anyone.
I think a lot of people are turned off by "religion" because some people have so many "rules" for the way Christians should behave. YES, we should ABSOLUTELY follow what GOD has commanded in HIS WORD. However, thinking someone isn't as "holy" as we are just because they only go to church once a week is absurd. (Does the Bible say we should meet "x" amount of times a week?) The building doesn't make us holy. It's spending time with THE ONE WHO IS! (Oh, and OF COURSE them being covered by the blood of JESUS) ;-)
THANKS AGAIN for the encouragement...
LOVE YOU!
Great quote and great thoughts Amy. Bless you!
Amen! Wonderful post, Amy. Couldn't have said it any better.
Oh, wow, I didn't think that was the direction you were going to go. But this is a message we all need to hear and often. Christianity is not a game of one-upsmanship. I'm holier than you... You're right. Let's stick to the basics and let God convict each of individually about the rest.
Great post on this weeks quote sweetie.
Thanks for sharing. It's sad that we do things that drives us further away instead of closer to God when it should be the opposite.
Very insightful and thought provoking post and quote! Wonderful!
Great thought for today! Thank you for sharing!
Be blessed!
Yes, I agree. Unless it is something very clear in the Bible, it is very difficult to try and determine what God has in mind for someone else's life. For one thing, we may not even know if that particular *thing* is an on-going struggle/battle. We don't need to add to it by pointing out "they need to change" when they already know and struggle with that, etc.
I know if it were me and God had given me the revelation that something needs to be done in a particular area, the last thing I need is for everyone else to tell me what I already know - it's like driving the nail full force, ya know? Instead of it being a revelation, it becomes condemnation, then guilt sets in and it just cycles from there. I truly believe that if someone really loves and seeks after the Lord, He is speaking to them and they already know what they need to do. Whether or not they obey is between them and God. Same goes for me, of course. If it only appears they are following God, chances are they have more to deal with other than a little sin. And again, that is between them and God as well.
The most powerful thing we can do for them is pray. Because prayer allows the Holy Spirit - the ONLY ONE who can get into their hearts - to work on them. Prayer is a powerful weapon I don't think we as Christians use enough - myself included.
Excellent, though provoking post, Amy! Thank you!
AMEN!! Sometimes we are so convicted and even driven by our passions about God we miss loving others which is the second greatest commandment of all. Thanks for the reminder. I did not get to participate this week, but I will likely be back next week with my bells on! Thanks for a thought provoking post.
Blessings.
Beautiful post :) Thank you for posting!!!
Wonderful!! I've often heard that Christians are the most judgmental people out there. So sad that we have such a rep! Let's try to dispel it!
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