Faith, Trust, and... Friendly Conversation
"I believe this."
"Well, I believe this, and I have exhibit A, B, and C to back it up. What do you have?"
"I have faith."
"I'd like to see physical evidence of your opinion."
This is the basic conversation in today's social media outlets when faith or God comes up. Everyone begs for their opinion to be heard. It doesn't matter who you are and what you believe, we all want our opinions to be heard. But here's the problem... In threads of comments on a photo or video, or comments on a blog, when Christians share their opinion about what they believe, or even if they just say something like Praise God! or God is so good, only He can do something like this!, those comments are attacked. Automatically, we are called idiots and fools because we believe in "the big invisible man in the sky". Those who don't believe in God or disagree with the church beg and plead for their voices to be heard. They want to be able to express what they believe.
But what about us? Are we the only ones not allowed to share our beliefs, just because it's different and they disagree with it? YOU want to be heard. So do WE.
But here comes the second problem. There are those who agree with the church and call themselves Christians, but they do the exact thing that they are fighting against! They call the nonbelievers idiots, and fools, and say that they're going to hell.
Is that really how we as Christians want to be portrayed? As hypocrites? NO! No no no no! Just like not every nonbeliever hates Christians, not every Christian hates nonbelievers. But because of those few who give us and the nonbelievers a bad name, it just causes chaos and hatred.
Here comes the cliche saying: What would Jesus do?
He would love those who follow him, as well as those who don't.
He wouldn't discriminate. He loves everyone, because everyone was created by God.
Would he disagree with those who sin, and go against what God intended for us? Yes.
But would he ignore, exclude, or hate them? Absolutely not!
Did Jesus eat with the rich and powerful? NO, actually, he ate with sinners, and tax collectors; with prostitutes and the homeless.
So what are we to do now?
There isn't some magic answer to make everyone agree with what YOU may believe, but listen to those who have a different belief or view on whatever subject, and hopefully, they'll listen to you. That's all we have to do! It really is that easy! Just listen to the other person. Respect that their opinion may differ from yours. Don't try to change somebody. We as Christians are here to spread the Word of God, NOT shove it down everyone's throats. Hey, Christians, did you hear that? We cannot shove Jesus down somebody's throat. That isn't going to show the love of God. But nonbelievers, did you hear that as well? Don't shove your beliefs down our throats either.
In conclusion, listen. Respect. Agree to disagree. Love. Love as Christ loved us, no matter what they or you might believe.
"Well, I believe this, and I have exhibit A, B, and C to back it up. What do you have?"
"I have faith."
"I'd like to see physical evidence of your opinion."
This is the basic conversation in today's social media outlets when faith or God comes up. Everyone begs for their opinion to be heard. It doesn't matter who you are and what you believe, we all want our opinions to be heard. But here's the problem... In threads of comments on a photo or video, or comments on a blog, when Christians share their opinion about what they believe, or even if they just say something like Praise God! or God is so good, only He can do something like this!, those comments are attacked. Automatically, we are called idiots and fools because we believe in "the big invisible man in the sky". Those who don't believe in God or disagree with the church beg and plead for their voices to be heard. They want to be able to express what they believe.
But what about us? Are we the only ones not allowed to share our beliefs, just because it's different and they disagree with it? YOU want to be heard. So do WE.
But here comes the second problem. There are those who agree with the church and call themselves Christians, but they do the exact thing that they are fighting against! They call the nonbelievers idiots, and fools, and say that they're going to hell.
Is that really how we as Christians want to be portrayed? As hypocrites? NO! No no no no! Just like not every nonbeliever hates Christians, not every Christian hates nonbelievers. But because of those few who give us and the nonbelievers a bad name, it just causes chaos and hatred.
Here comes the cliche saying: What would Jesus do?
He would love those who follow him, as well as those who don't.
He wouldn't discriminate. He loves everyone, because everyone was created by God.
Would he disagree with those who sin, and go against what God intended for us? Yes.
But would he ignore, exclude, or hate them? Absolutely not!
Did Jesus eat with the rich and powerful? NO, actually, he ate with sinners, and tax collectors; with prostitutes and the homeless.
So what are we to do now?
There isn't some magic answer to make everyone agree with what YOU may believe, but listen to those who have a different belief or view on whatever subject, and hopefully, they'll listen to you. That's all we have to do! It really is that easy! Just listen to the other person. Respect that their opinion may differ from yours. Don't try to change somebody. We as Christians are here to spread the Word of God, NOT shove it down everyone's throats. Hey, Christians, did you hear that? We cannot shove Jesus down somebody's throat. That isn't going to show the love of God. But nonbelievers, did you hear that as well? Don't shove your beliefs down our throats either.
In conclusion, listen. Respect. Agree to disagree. Love. Love as Christ loved us, no matter what they or you might believe.
Comments
Post a Comment