The past several days, I have been increasingly disturbed as certain photos and statuses are shared over and again, showing up repeatedly on my Facebook page. The topic might be end times, witchcraft/mediums or things of those nature. All touchy subjects in our "anything goes" American culture. But it isn't even the dubious nature of the postings that has me so upset...it is the comments (sometimes into the thousands) underneath, showing the absolute ignorance in the "Christian" body today.
Many of these comments are well meaning - but off base. And some are just bizarre. Some from people out to destroy Christ-following beliefs. Some simply an extension of a society where even Christ followers seek after feel-good philosophies and ideas.
Now, lately I have been criticized for wanting "love" to supersede "truth." That analysis couldn't be farther from what I truly believe. People, claiming to love Jesus, are spouting out doctrine that is simply not true...and making a mockery of the Bible and the God it embodies in its pages. That makes me angry, just as it does my 'critics'! I, too, cringe as I read ignorant comments from people crediting God or the Bible for their twisted theology. Yet, I am fairly sure they've read a piece of Scripture here and there and never gone to the work to read the whole thing. That is a little like putting together a puzzle with half the pieces and passing it off as a work of art. Except the implications here are much more dangerous.
If you profess to be a Christian, you must read your Bible; you must seek to know truth. You must turn your back on what the world says is truth. That's what it means to be a Christian. To follow Christ. We are, too often, trying to meld this culture's secular humanist self-help model of living with a few often-cited Scriptures to make our own comfortable brand of religion. This too, makes me angry. How dishonoring to a very real God who has laid truth out for us.
I believe this whole-heartedly. I believe in Jesus as the Son of God, and I believe that He inspired every word in the Bible to help me live an honoring life, seeking Him. I fall sloppily short often, but I open the pages back up and begin reading again to understand a piece of this majestic God I get to call "Father."
Yet, I have recently been criticized much in the same way I am criticizing the ignorance of the people posting comments that are not biblically true. Let me be clear, I do not want to subscribe to a more comfortable brand of Christianity. I want to follow God - including the hard truths in between the covers of His Word. But I also feel those words should inspire me to action. And yes, to love people. Because if I have all the knowledge contained in those pages and do nothing with them, I am no more productive than an athlete watching training videos as their sole means to training for a sporting event. The truth must propel me to action.
You cannot love people the way Jesus commands us to without knowing His Word in its entirety - hard truths included. But neither can knowledge without love and action surely fully please Him either.
I have fallen often and messily. But I will return to the training book over and again and soak in its Words - praying that God will inspire me with its words each and every time. And I will use those words to help me live and love in an imperfect world, where I am an incredibly imperfect participant, yet showered by His grace. How can I do any less than extend love and grace in this world when I am such an undeserving recipient myself?
If that makes me weak or inferior or too "needy", there you have it. And thank God that I am. I am needy. I am in need of His grace as I fall short every single day. I am in need of others to show me love and grace. I am in need of brothers and sisters in Christ who will hold me accountable, help me to learn and steer me back on track. I don't simply desire a "feel-good" message, I desire real relationship with real people who will help me live in a 'real hard' world, with honor and godliness as much as I can.
So - you will never, ever hear me say the words "thank goodness I'm 'there' " Because I'm not "there." As I've stated, I fall short again and again. But one thing I take seriously is the Word of my God. And I ask you, as a sister in Christ, do not quote Him and give Him credit for words unless you're sure He's spoken them. Because though we live under a grace-giving, merciful Father who knows our hearts, we are speaking to an unforgiving, critical generation who loves to see our inconsistencies and errors. Speak your words carefully. Quote His words more carefully still. Don't fall into the trap I've set for myself in the past, serving a God I'd made up in my mind - my image of Him carefully boxed up and tied with a nice, neat bow. His truths and all the facets of who He is cannot be contained. Make sure the Christ you proclaim is the one found on the pages of Scripture...not a Messiah you've created on your own that comfortably fits your ideals. Because none of us will be prepared for how awesome and majestic He is - but I want all of my knowledge of Him, here on earth, to come straight from His own Word. Please, as you go forward wanting to proclaim truth in an unbelieving world, do so carefully. Study carefully and speak more carefully still.
I say this to you and I say it to myself. God, help us honor you with our words.
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