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I am a Christian. I believe in the Nicene Creed, that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, came to earth and lived a sinless life, died on a cross for my sins, and rose on the third day. I believe that he ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father. I believe that He wants to have a personal relationship with me.
I know that there are degrees of Christianity. There are "name-claimers", there are "cultural Christians" (especially here in the South and in small communities, mostly rural, dotted along our maps). There are Catholic Christians (gasp). There are Methodists, Baptists, and Seventh-Day Adventists. There are the non-denominationals, and there are Vineyard people like me. People walk in varying degrees of Truth.
But what did I learn from the controversy of yesterday's exchange with Jules? I learned that no one can judge me. Well, they can, but they are in sin and won't be forgiven by the Father until they repent. Yikes! I learned that not all Christians need to like me! And I learned afresh that God really, really hates it when we try to be righteous judges, usurping His role.
I've learned that I don't WANT her to like me. If I'm lumped in with the peace-loving, grace-extending, love-giving "hippie, crunchy, latte-sipping, Volvo driving" Christians, so be it. I thought my tribe could be the Christian community, but apparently that was naive of me. I've learned that I was wrong to seek approval from men, when the ONe whose approval I seek is hidden and secret within me.
Today I'll leave you with Donald Miller's Blog about why he voted for Obama. It's good (as is all of his stuff that I've read).
May grace abound in all of us, and may our hearts be clear of judgment!
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6 comments:
there are life lessons all around us, even in the face of being attacked. what a great post by don miller. thanks for sharing the link.
have a wonderful weekend.
Would you believe that Jules "moderated" my comment to her and wouldn't even POST IT?! ...which makes my pride get a little outraged. I wasn't rude or mean or even passive aggressive in the slightest!
That's alright, though. We both know who seeks to suppress the TRUTH. And it ISN'T God.
I'm confused about the part about judging, being in sin and needing to repent. We are called to judge those inside the Church; Paul clearly stated that. I'm not condoning her methods, but the "judging" alone is not a sin.
Hey Brenna, I would call "discernment" or "rebuke" two facets of what you're calling "judgment". Criticizing others in a condemning way, as illustrated in James 4:11-12 and James 5:9m is what I would call her judgment. They're noth really severe warnings about how "speaking against a brother" (which she doesn't consider me, mind you), as it scorns the law of love.
Now, since she considers me a non-believer, she's even more in error, as we are only to rebuke within the Body. Of course I know that she's wrong there, but she's then judging my HEART, as in whether or not I am in Christ, without the context of a relationship, placing herself in the judge's chair in place of God Himself. Just a dangerous, dangerous place to be!
Beth, I went and looked for your comment, and wasn't particularly surprised when I didn't see it!
Hey B, I realized that I didn't speak to Paul when I posted my comment, here's a page that explains how I understand judgement scriptures. I'd say she's in error in the last three:
http://tinyurl.com/5zfydf
Hi Heather,
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I am speechless at conversation with Jules. There are some who really don't want to understand. I have learned not to waste my words on them.
Be encouraged. I think you tried very hard to give her another piece of the puzzle to consider. It is not your fault that she would not accept it.
BTW, I relate so much to that Donald Miller post and I love his writing as well.
Hope I'll see you around on my blog and I will certainly continue to visit you.
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