God is AWESOME!!!
That is all.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Changing the Face of Christianity
Something that's been on my mind lately is redefining how the world percieves Christianity. Here we are in a world where anything goes, have your own opinions, keep them to yourself, don't offend me, but believe what you want.
Jesus told the disciples to go and tell the world. I'm sure it was a little easier then, they were all still so excited. They'd been in Jesus's physical presence, which is good for us human beings. We do have trouble with things we can't see. But just because we didn't have the same experience the disciples did doesn't mean we're exempt from telling others about Christ.
I strongly believe that the Bible is filled with black and white truths. I'm sure reading this, you can think of a few off the top of your head. Lying is a sin. Jesus was fully God and fully man. God promised he would never flood the whole world again. These things are true. They haven't changed.
Some stuff from the Bible has "changed." It's those cultural and time things that everyone likes to point out when questioning the legitimacy of the Bible. Are we still required to sacrifice animals for our sins? Nope. Jesus took care of that in the New Testament. Does that mean we can throw out parts of the Bible? Nope. It's all valuable, and we can learn from all of it. Plus, if we start tossing stuff out, how do we know we're picking the right things? We don't. Can't do it. Sorry for our luck.
In the same way, we have to fall back on these black and white truths when approaching how we live as modern-day Christians in this modern-day world. A lot of this shows up at churches. Many churches no longer sing hymns, they have praise teams. Does that mean hymns should go away? No way! There are a lot of people who still find that the best way to worship. It also doesn't mean it's wrong to have a praise team.
But I don't want to repeat all my church soapbox ramblings from earlier. Our presentation as Christians goes way beyond the (sometimes portable) walls of our church buildings.
What is the face of Chrsitianity? Despite what we may want to change, the face of Christianity immediately becomes defined by those who claim Christianity. Sometimes we're good representatives. Sometimes we're very poor representatives. Unfortunately, God has to use us, human beings, to represent Him here. I really do wish He had a better choice. Yet, at the same time, sometimes the best witness is showing God's forgiveness.
How do people see "us" then? I cringe to think what the answer may be. Are they thinking about people that go to church on Sunday, then act like someone else the rest of the week? Do they think about that group holding signs that say "God hates Fags"? Do they think of someone they knew that hurt them emotionally, but claimed salvation? Does anyone think of me when I'm saying something I don't mean in haste in a rude tone? *gulp*
When I was still in school, I met my friend (sister? I guess not, there's no marital ties) Jess. Before she met me, my dad told her about me - that I went to Christian School, went to youth group at church. I know she wasn't interested in me before she met me, at least that's what my dad said, saying she claimed to be an atheist. We ended up spending a lot of time together over the following years after we met. I made an effort not to be forceful about my beliefs. I figured she didn't want to hear about it if she didn't believe in it, and that was okay with me. But I did end up talking about school and church because it was my life. Years after we met, she told me she wasn't sure what she believed about God. I don't know what she thinks these days. I gave her a few songs and books on a take it or leave it basis trying to explain why I believed what I did. Who knows what happened there?
I'm not sure where we got the idea that we needed to do this pushy witnessing business. I personally don't believe that's the way it should be. (I could be wrong.) It's really not effective.
Have you ever tried to get someone to sign up for a credit card? They shut down as soon as you say "cred". Be honest, if someone came up to you and asked you "do you know if you're going to heaven" or "do you know Jesus," would you feel comfortable? I wouldn't, and I believe in God!
My husband said he's had more than one pushy person approach him, and after he replies that he's a Christian and attends a church he's happy with, they kept going. What's that all about?
Even some of our "subtle" approaches are annoying. My youth pastor (later regular (?) pastor) and his wife didn't like Christian bumper stickers. They can be ridiculous! I've driven behind cars that I felt were trying to push their faith down my throat, and their faith is the same as mine.
Take my friend as an example. She doesn't eat meat. She's not out to save the animals, she just doesn't like the taste. She doesn't have anything against meat. She's tried it a couple times. In fact, she kind of wishes she liked it so it would be easier to get a balanced diet - she has to work hard to ensure she gets adequet protein. But even when she explains the senario, everyone has to put in their 2 cents. Just try it again! People can get pushy, but why?
If people tell her she'll like it, will she enjoy the next steak she tries?
If you tell someone they should believe in Christ, should they take your word for it?
What makes Christianity different from all the other religions is that there's nothing you have to do. No good deeds, no praying in a certain direction, no hail marys that are going to get you into heaven. It's about a relationship with Christ. Yes, it's still work, but it doesn't depend on us being perfect. Are you perfect? I'm not.
Our witness is equally about relationships. Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." I can think of friends of mine that have approached me about rights and wrongs, but I'm only able to accept that from them because they know and love me. Likewise, a complete stranger isn't about to listen to what you think about religion or faith. Why do they care what you think? But someone you've built a relationship with might. It's at least a lot more likely.
Building relationships is also a good way to do some silent witnessing - people seeing us acting differently (hopefully). I like what my cousin does. The last time they moved into a complex, he introduced himself to people who passed by, people he knew would be living in close quarters. Nothing major or crazy. Just hi and his name and a handshake. I wish I did that. I need to do that. It just opens doors to let people know that you are kind, that they can talk to you if they want. (They don't have to, of course.) What if we all started doing that? Not "Do you know Jesus?" "Hi, I'm ____." It can't hurt.
Well, I just preached to myself. I'd better dismount before I reveal all my sins! (Oh wait....)
-Jacki
Jesus told the disciples to go and tell the world. I'm sure it was a little easier then, they were all still so excited. They'd been in Jesus's physical presence, which is good for us human beings. We do have trouble with things we can't see. But just because we didn't have the same experience the disciples did doesn't mean we're exempt from telling others about Christ.
I strongly believe that the Bible is filled with black and white truths. I'm sure reading this, you can think of a few off the top of your head. Lying is a sin. Jesus was fully God and fully man. God promised he would never flood the whole world again. These things are true. They haven't changed.
Some stuff from the Bible has "changed." It's those cultural and time things that everyone likes to point out when questioning the legitimacy of the Bible. Are we still required to sacrifice animals for our sins? Nope. Jesus took care of that in the New Testament. Does that mean we can throw out parts of the Bible? Nope. It's all valuable, and we can learn from all of it. Plus, if we start tossing stuff out, how do we know we're picking the right things? We don't. Can't do it. Sorry for our luck.
In the same way, we have to fall back on these black and white truths when approaching how we live as modern-day Christians in this modern-day world. A lot of this shows up at churches. Many churches no longer sing hymns, they have praise teams. Does that mean hymns should go away? No way! There are a lot of people who still find that the best way to worship. It also doesn't mean it's wrong to have a praise team.
But I don't want to repeat all my church soapbox ramblings from earlier. Our presentation as Christians goes way beyond the (sometimes portable) walls of our church buildings.
What is the face of Chrsitianity? Despite what we may want to change, the face of Christianity immediately becomes defined by those who claim Christianity. Sometimes we're good representatives. Sometimes we're very poor representatives. Unfortunately, God has to use us, human beings, to represent Him here. I really do wish He had a better choice. Yet, at the same time, sometimes the best witness is showing God's forgiveness.
How do people see "us" then? I cringe to think what the answer may be. Are they thinking about people that go to church on Sunday, then act like someone else the rest of the week? Do they think about that group holding signs that say "God hates Fags"? Do they think of someone they knew that hurt them emotionally, but claimed salvation? Does anyone think of me when I'm saying something I don't mean in haste in a rude tone? *gulp*
When I was still in school, I met my friend (sister? I guess not, there's no marital ties) Jess. Before she met me, my dad told her about me - that I went to Christian School, went to youth group at church. I know she wasn't interested in me before she met me, at least that's what my dad said, saying she claimed to be an atheist. We ended up spending a lot of time together over the following years after we met. I made an effort not to be forceful about my beliefs. I figured she didn't want to hear about it if she didn't believe in it, and that was okay with me. But I did end up talking about school and church because it was my life. Years after we met, she told me she wasn't sure what she believed about God. I don't know what she thinks these days. I gave her a few songs and books on a take it or leave it basis trying to explain why I believed what I did. Who knows what happened there?
I'm not sure where we got the idea that we needed to do this pushy witnessing business. I personally don't believe that's the way it should be. (I could be wrong.) It's really not effective.
Have you ever tried to get someone to sign up for a credit card? They shut down as soon as you say "cred". Be honest, if someone came up to you and asked you "do you know if you're going to heaven" or "do you know Jesus," would you feel comfortable? I wouldn't, and I believe in God!
My husband said he's had more than one pushy person approach him, and after he replies that he's a Christian and attends a church he's happy with, they kept going. What's that all about?
Even some of our "subtle" approaches are annoying. My youth pastor (later regular (?) pastor) and his wife didn't like Christian bumper stickers. They can be ridiculous! I've driven behind cars that I felt were trying to push their faith down my throat, and their faith is the same as mine.
Take my friend as an example. She doesn't eat meat. She's not out to save the animals, she just doesn't like the taste. She doesn't have anything against meat. She's tried it a couple times. In fact, she kind of wishes she liked it so it would be easier to get a balanced diet - she has to work hard to ensure she gets adequet protein. But even when she explains the senario, everyone has to put in their 2 cents. Just try it again! People can get pushy, but why?
If people tell her she'll like it, will she enjoy the next steak she tries?
If you tell someone they should believe in Christ, should they take your word for it?
What makes Christianity different from all the other religions is that there's nothing you have to do. No good deeds, no praying in a certain direction, no hail marys that are going to get you into heaven. It's about a relationship with Christ. Yes, it's still work, but it doesn't depend on us being perfect. Are you perfect? I'm not.
Our witness is equally about relationships. Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." I can think of friends of mine that have approached me about rights and wrongs, but I'm only able to accept that from them because they know and love me. Likewise, a complete stranger isn't about to listen to what you think about religion or faith. Why do they care what you think? But someone you've built a relationship with might. It's at least a lot more likely.
Building relationships is also a good way to do some silent witnessing - people seeing us acting differently (hopefully). I like what my cousin does. The last time they moved into a complex, he introduced himself to people who passed by, people he knew would be living in close quarters. Nothing major or crazy. Just hi and his name and a handshake. I wish I did that. I need to do that. It just opens doors to let people know that you are kind, that they can talk to you if they want. (They don't have to, of course.) What if we all started doing that? Not "Do you know Jesus?" "Hi, I'm ____." It can't hurt.
Well, I just preached to myself. I'd better dismount before I reveal all my sins! (Oh wait....)
-Jacki
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