My mom used to say, "It's hard to love the unlovely." And this week has been filled with unlovely. Everything from irritable personalities who seem to loathe my existence, to gossips and abortion supporters who purport to be believers. My mind is frazzled and it's difficult to be Christ-like when what I really want to do is start throttling people, which of course would not be like Christ :)
As a born again believer I am overwhelmed at the onslaught of professed Christians choosing worldly ideals and having the audacity to declare them to others. The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2, "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." I don't think this could be any more plain, but just in case there's confusion, let me spell it out. We're not supposed to conform to the world. We're supposed to be set apart (thus that big word 'sanctified'). We're supposed to have the mind of Christ and we're supposed to emulate Him. Remind me again how supporting abortion, gossiping about other believers and being openly rude aligns itself with having the mind of Christ? Oh yeah, it doesn't!
So far I have kept quiet because I don't want to utter words I will have to eat. But it's difficult to remain silent when I'm watching people 'step out in front of a moving train.' I know Christ suffered frustration as well. Remember the money changers in the temple? But He always refuted sin with scripture, and He always loved the unlovely. So I will think on these things:
Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3-5
4 comments:
I constantly have to remind myself in cases such as those that I am only responsible for me. They can make poor choices and stupid decisions, but in the end they will be held accountable for their thoughts and attitudes. My responsibility is to make my own choices to please Him. Not easy, though!:)
Good for you!! I loved your new background and of course your writing. Thanks for standing up for what is right.
Love ya, Mom
I posted my mom's comment under my user id.
Yeah, "truth in love" is pretty difficult when you want to throttle somebody.
I really like the metaphor you used: "stepping out in front of a moving train."
I'm going to keep that one. Jesus planted seeds with parables, and left it open for it to sink in later when the person was ready for it.
I think if I find myself in that situation, a great thing to say would be, "You are stepping out in front of a moving train." It's not a hard parable to understand,lol, but since they don't yet understand why, perhaps it doesn't provide a lot to argue with either. :)
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