Let's Not Make it Harder Than it Has to Be

I think most of you will agree that life is hard, actually, most of the time. We live under the shadow of the fall of man, and the sin that exists in everyone's life. It takes no effort on our part to have a horrendous day. In fact, we often have to work to make a day a good one for ourselves and for others. Life is hard enough without turning every task into a Goldberg machine.

So why, why, why, why must so many Christians work at judging others and their lives? In the process of judging others, they expend their own energy, time and happiness in making another person's life hard. WHY? I've mentioned before that I've seen many "saintly, revered" folk walk around looking like they just smelled something horrible, their faces frozen into a perpetual expression of disdain and self piety. The energy and time they expend in judgement and criticism would be far better used in furthering the cause of Christ by helping and loving those they currently disdain.

I've met many people struggling with self hate, depression, and hopelessness because of people who took it upon themselves to inform others of just how sinful their actions are. And I've found that many of those struggling turn away from God because of those "informative" people. I know that probably was not the informant's purpose, but it is often the result.

And isn't that exactly the opposite of what Christ commanded us to do? He left us with two commandments that summed up His ministry and all of the Old Testament commandments: 
1. Serve and love God above all else. 2. Love others as you love yourself.
I'm not seeing any mention in either these two commandments or in the original ten that mention we are to be another's judge.

Folks, it's not "us" versus "them." It's not sinner versus saint. It's not straight versus gay, black versus white, preacher versus bishop, Baptist versus Catholic or us versus anything. It's God versus Satan. Evil versus good. And God, the ultimate creator and power of all, is the one who will do ALL judging that actually counts. And besides, if we see someone in obvious sin, in love shouldn't we go beside that person and HELP them, and pray for them? Every Christian carries the Holy Spirit within, and we can leave all the convicting to Him. And since we should not expect the unsaved to follow the commandments of a God they do not serve, shouldn't we be an example of God's grace as a saved sinner with an eternal Hope they don't have?

So, take it easy- so to speak. Use the energy you could expend on judging others to glorify God. Tell others of His Grace and Love. Live a life that mirrors Christ's ministry. He knew the sins of all those around him, and yet loved them, and ministered to them without discrimination or disdain. The only time we see Christ speak in a less than forgiving manner was against the hypocritical, religious leaders that took advantage of those seeking to serve God by sacrificing at the temple, and those judgmental  leaders who "praised God" that they were not like the common sinner.

Frankly, I think it's hard enough judging my own motives and service to Christ. I don't have time to worry about what others are doing except to see how I can help them. And I don't have time to judge them. I'll just leave that job up to the only Being in existence that can justly, and righteously judge us all.

Here I am, grateful to God for His Love and Grace, and "taking it easy."

Teapotjan

The Face of "Abomination"

No matter what you believe about same sex attraction, and same sex marriage, listen to this young man's testimony, and see if you can still call homosexual desire an "abomination." We can all have our opinions, but perhaps, as Christians we should temper our words with compassion.

No one has ever been drawn to Christ by angry, hateful words, and attitude. But everyone who came to Christ ultimately came because of His love.

This young man is an SBC pastor's son. His struggle is obvious. His "abomination" is not.

This isn't about gay people parading around in the streets. This isn't about politics, and laws. This isn't about rainbows and unicorns and abominations. And it isn't about you. It's about souls spurning the Gospel because of hate filled Christians. It's about young Christians filled with self hate and loathing and having no where to go for help. It's about our real job: 

SERVE GOD, LOVE OTHERS

Prayers and blessings,

Teapotjan

The Compromised Teapot

Okay, today I have two entries. Don't get used to it. 

Many things have changed for me on this journey from guilt to grace. A few decades ago I would have called the person I've become thus far in the journey a "compromiser." Maybe some of you would still call me that. It's okay with me. Pray for me whether you think I am wrong or not. Just don't turn away when you see me or look over my head or past me like I don't exist. I'm still me and I love the Lord more than ever before. Surely, we can still fellowship and share our love for Him. At least I'm willing. . .

Oh, the big "C" word. I heard it multitudes of times from,  my pastors, my teachers, my parents, my fellow believers. Those who did not dress, eat, attend church, worship, sing, wear their hair, or clothing the same or more conservatively that we did were all labeled with it. Really, back in those days I equated their compromise with a lack of salvation or at the very least a lack of understanding the Scripture.

I am cringing again at the memory of how I felt. But it did get me to thinking. What composes actual compromise? After searching for several minutes, the only Biblical way to use the word "compromise" in a negative sense was to use it as a term meaning "give into temptation and sin". . . . Please note that this does not include wearing a nice tee shirt instead of a shirt and tie, among other things. 

So what is sin? I don't think there are big, hidden mysteries involving sin. God is loving and just. Why would He murk up the list of things we aren't supposed to do? 

Many look to the Ten Commandments. As paraphrased by yours truly living in grace, here is how they go: 

1. There is no other God. Only the One of the Bible. Don't put any other thing, god, desire, person, etc. above Him. Period. 
2. Don't bow down in worship before ideas, inanimate objects, statues, idols. Bow down only to the only God from the first commandment.
3. Don't speak of or use God lightly. He is not a joke. He is not a curse. He is the Creator and the Only God. To disrespect Him shows contempt.
4. God blesses rest. Many folks believe this is a commandment involving not eating out on Sunday or not doing lawn work, etc. From my studies and research, I see this as a call to take care of your health, and to set time aside for personal communion with God every day, not just one. Remember, I'm living in grace, not under the Old Testament.
5. Honor your parents. What if they are scumbags? Pray for them. Honor their position as those who gave you life. They are not perfect, and honoring them does not mean allowing them to abuse you.
6. Don't commit murder. I think we understand that one.
7. Stay away from immoral sexual acts. Sex is for marriage, and for pleasure within marriage. Not for any other relationship. 
8. Don't steal. Okay, that's another one we probably understand.
9. Don't lie about your neighbor, your kids, your. . . Don't lie. Tell the truth.
10. Don't envy other people and what they have. That's putting yourself above others.

And then there are the two commandments Jesus used in the New Testament to sum up all of the above commandments. Love God with all your heart above everything else, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.   

Forgive me. I know I have sinned. I know I will again. But I don't see any of the things I use to think involved compromise listed here. I don't see them listed in the original non-paraphrased version either. It is fine to have standards. But as soon as those standards become symbols of "proper" spirituality, they become idols and dilute the love we have for others
and for God. Judging other's spirituality or salvation by man-made standards brings about division, discouragement, wrongful pride, and deception. In today's world, I don't think we need any more of these things.

As always, I welcome comments or ideas. Feel free to share. I'm not one for debate, so remember these are my beliefs and ideas. If you don't agree, that's okay. We can meet in the middle and agree to disagree. Hmmm. Now that's REAL compromise. 

In His Grace,
Teapotjan