From May 19, 2008
People so often leave God out of the question. In reference to those who claim to believe in God, yet ignore it. The fact that people don't even seem to realize it just makes it sadder. I almost wonder if it would be better if it was blatant.
Belief is a convenience for a lot of people, it seems. A reflex. Something that not a lot of thought is put into, but just because of the way one was raised or because they want to believe in something bigger, or just want to be safe. But is belief out of convenience really believing?
He's important, you know. God. For those who do believe - this isn't the note to attempt to convince those who don't. It's not enough to just believe. Because it's more than just that - it's a way of life.
I dunno. It's just, there's no reason to depend on worldy things, you know. I see a lot of that. There's God - He's more than enough.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
My Personal Relationship.
From September 7, 2008
I think what most people's problems with accepting Christianity lies in the fact that it is looked at in too scientific of a way and society influences their perception too much. There's an unfortunate emphasis of the "religion" aspect of it, which is a completely man-made term and has nothing to do with what I believe in. The so-called traditions and standards, morphed through the ages to conform to specific people, rather than hitting at the heart what Christianity really actually means - love.
People get caught up in the supposed "illogic" and "unintelligence" of a belief in God, stating that there is no proof - that it's just an impossibility. Which I find to be ridiculous, personally. I cannot look at the intricacies of this world and life, examine things I've been through, and believe that it is just coincidence and chance. That there is nothing greater behind it. That is just irrational to me.
It's not just blind faith for me, however. When others talk about religion, it is in such an impersonal way. Because religion is impersonal - I am not at all a believer in religion. What I have is a relationship, as real as anybody else's relationship with their father or a friend. It's something strong, personal, touching, and comforting - and in it lies something so undeniably real. Now, I'm not an irrational person, who gives into imaginary emotions and fabricated feelings. It is the times where I am not trying to feel God where I feel him most prevalently. I haven't always been as fervent in my beliefs as I am now, and there's a distinct difference when you allow God to be actively present in your life.
With that personal relationship with God, all the confines of "religion" disappear. All the problems of religion disappear. Hypocrisy and manipulations, insincerity - it all fades. I don't want to condemn, judge, act as if I am above anybody else - I simply want to love. Which should be on the forefront of all Christian's minds before all else. A love for our Lord and a love for all those around us.
Unfortunately, because love is not at the forefront it should be with a lot of people, the title of Christianity is tainted. People get a bad taste in their mouths at the mention - I don't blame them. When you see the way some Christians treat homosexuals, supposedly in the name of God, or goes around condemning people to hell - it's appalling. And of course those who live two separate lives - it doesn't show our Lord in a good light at all, which is a shame.
Beyond the misconceptions of what Christianity really is supposed to be, atheists do tend to have a problem with the actual image of God Himself, but I do believe that a lot of them derive their informations from the wrong sources. Or else, it's just simplified. There is a lot to the Bible than meets then eyes, that does require intricate study and a complete knowledge of the context.
The thing is, those set against being so against my faith spent more time studying the evidence against rather than the evidence for. It's bound to happen - just a subconscious bias. In order to create a thorough decision, both sides of the issue to need to be covered.
Now I'm somewhat distracted as I write this, so I'll probably leave more to another note. But I do want to point out "The Case for Christ", a book written by an atheist who sent out to disprove Christianity and ended up becoming a Christian himself. It's an intriguing concept, right?
But you come from an event like Prayer in the Square, when thousands of people are packed into a block at Times Square, praising and worshipping sincerely and passionately, and you can just feel a greater power at work. Something undeniable. I'm sure everybody who walked by - believer or not - felt something to. A mere myth able to compel so many people so consistently for so long. To change around so many lives. That's not some religion - that's God.
I think what most people's problems with accepting Christianity lies in the fact that it is looked at in too scientific of a way and society influences their perception too much. There's an unfortunate emphasis of the "religion" aspect of it, which is a completely man-made term and has nothing to do with what I believe in. The so-called traditions and standards, morphed through the ages to conform to specific people, rather than hitting at the heart what Christianity really actually means - love.
People get caught up in the supposed "illogic" and "unintelligence" of a belief in God, stating that there is no proof - that it's just an impossibility. Which I find to be ridiculous, personally. I cannot look at the intricacies of this world and life, examine things I've been through, and believe that it is just coincidence and chance. That there is nothing greater behind it. That is just irrational to me.
It's not just blind faith for me, however. When others talk about religion, it is in such an impersonal way. Because religion is impersonal - I am not at all a believer in religion. What I have is a relationship, as real as anybody else's relationship with their father or a friend. It's something strong, personal, touching, and comforting - and in it lies something so undeniably real. Now, I'm not an irrational person, who gives into imaginary emotions and fabricated feelings. It is the times where I am not trying to feel God where I feel him most prevalently. I haven't always been as fervent in my beliefs as I am now, and there's a distinct difference when you allow God to be actively present in your life.
With that personal relationship with God, all the confines of "religion" disappear. All the problems of religion disappear. Hypocrisy and manipulations, insincerity - it all fades. I don't want to condemn, judge, act as if I am above anybody else - I simply want to love. Which should be on the forefront of all Christian's minds before all else. A love for our Lord and a love for all those around us.
Unfortunately, because love is not at the forefront it should be with a lot of people, the title of Christianity is tainted. People get a bad taste in their mouths at the mention - I don't blame them. When you see the way some Christians treat homosexuals, supposedly in the name of God, or goes around condemning people to hell - it's appalling. And of course those who live two separate lives - it doesn't show our Lord in a good light at all, which is a shame.
Beyond the misconceptions of what Christianity really is supposed to be, atheists do tend to have a problem with the actual image of God Himself, but I do believe that a lot of them derive their informations from the wrong sources. Or else, it's just simplified. There is a lot to the Bible than meets then eyes, that does require intricate study and a complete knowledge of the context.
The thing is, those set against being so against my faith spent more time studying the evidence against rather than the evidence for. It's bound to happen - just a subconscious bias. In order to create a thorough decision, both sides of the issue to need to be covered.
Now I'm somewhat distracted as I write this, so I'll probably leave more to another note. But I do want to point out "The Case for Christ", a book written by an atheist who sent out to disprove Christianity and ended up becoming a Christian himself. It's an intriguing concept, right?
But you come from an event like Prayer in the Square, when thousands of people are packed into a block at Times Square, praising and worshipping sincerely and passionately, and you can just feel a greater power at work. Something undeniable. I'm sure everybody who walked by - believer or not - felt something to. A mere myth able to compel so many people so consistently for so long. To change around so many lives. That's not some religion - that's God.
Y'all Ought to be Ashamed.
From August 10, 2008
Yeah, I'm about to chew you out.
I don't know where anyone gets off thinking that the word "nigger" is okay to say depending on the context. And I think it's very ridiculous to say "white people can be 'n words', too" yet every time I've heard that word used these past few months, it was not in regards to anyone white.
I know that I spent nine months at NYU, in which black people are the extreme minority, yet I never heard the 'n word' ever uttered. To go even further, I didn't even encounter the more subtle racism - the slight discrimination, the "casual" verbal judgments. The only references to me even being black were made by myself in a joking manner or by other minorities, also in a joking manner. But outside of that, there were at the most two references made in the WHOLE year by the majority group to me being black.
It's a Southern thing.
Everybody's racist, though. Don't even attempt to deny it. I hate it when people try to preface statements with "I'm not racist, but...", because yes, you are, and yes that statement you're about to say is sooo racist. Unfortunately in this current society, it's a bit of an inherent thing. But what you say, how you act, and the unfair judgments you make can be controlled.
So if a black person pisses you off, there's no reason to be calling him the n-word. Surely you have to know the history behind that word. How demeaning it has always been and how it was created to be geared solely towards black people. Thus, it is highly disrespectful to use that word. Period - I don't care if you only use that in regards to "ghetto" people or you even all white people that sometimes, it's still a highly offensive and completely disrespectful term.
Now my feelings don't get hurt every time that's said. I just get upset because it showcases ignorance and disrespect. You throw around such a weighted and negative term like it's nothing, like a group of people haven't been fighting against it and other discriminations for generations. Call someone an "asshole". I can't say I condone of that, either, but at least it has none of the attached sentiments that the n-word, though.
I was talking to Carmen about this, and she understood my views of how I don't take it personally, but just find it incredibly disrespectul and thus, infuriating, because that's the way that she gets with the word "faggot." It is, in fact, that same deal. Leading into this.
I am not a gay rights activist. I'll be honest - I'm a Christian, the Bible does say that a man should not lay with a man the way he does a woman, and do find it to be unnatural. However, the treatment of homosexuals is appalling. The "f-word" is meant to demean and belittle a specific group of people. In the same way as the "n-word", it's a term that dehumanizes, thus implying that that individual is not good enough to be given an actual identity, so thus he will be called the "f-word" instead.
See, that is some people have such severe problems with Christians. We're supposedly apart of a faith built about love, yet some of us throw around those terms like nothing, though obviously they are quite hurtful. Do you seriously think that if Jesus was on Earth right now, he'd go around to gay people, calling them "faggots" and "queers." No, this is Jesus, who hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors - the bottom of society at that time.
The foundation of Christianity is love. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die for our sins. Thus we are to show love in return - both to God and to those around us. Love, not condemn. Not treat a group of people so differently because we don't agree with their lifestyles.
It's quite hypocritical, too, in many ways, but especially because a lot Christians are willing to look past the sins of others and their own sins, yet come down so hard on homosexuality, as if it's the sin to end all sins. In my personal opinion, it's the most harmless. Promiscuous sex is way more damaging, if we're on the subject of sexuality. But God doesn't have a rating system of sin.
But it's pathetically funny, because surely if you ask some Christian what is worse - some guy who sleeps around a lot or a gay guy who is a virgin by choice, they'd say the former. That is not right.
Then there's the whole thing about how homosexuality is "different" because it's a lifestyle as opposed to an one-time act. Well, if you want to get technical, the "act" of someone being emotionally and physically attracted to someone of the same sex and pursuing a relationship with them is not a sin unless sex is involved, but rather the individual act of sex with someone of the same sex. I've read my Bible - and yes, it's all technical, so I won't dwell on that issue.
But is not anyone who is not a born again Christian living a sinful lifestyle, then? Yet there is a significantly less discrimination against those who aren't Christian than there is against homosexuals specifically.
Then the other "argument" is that supposedly one cannot be a Christian and a homosexual. But that's like saying that anyone who sins cannot be a Christian. Which of course is not true, because then no one would be a Christian. And then they'd bring up the whole "lifestyle" thing again, but is a Christian who has a problem with lying not a Christian? Or one who has a drinking problem?
But what it comes down to it all is that we really cannot define what a Christian is for others, now can we? We're just imperfect humans ourselves. So we have no right whatsoever to say that anyone isn't really a Christian, nor to condemn someone for anything, because that is for God and God alone.
We have no right to look down on anyone, homosexuals included, because we are not perfect ourselves.
Look up John 8:1-12. I'll paraphrase it. The Pharisees bring an adulterous woman to Jesus, saying that she needs to be stoned. Jesus says that whoever is that who is without sin can throw the first stone. No one, of course, does. Jesus then asks the woman where her accusers are, in which she answers that there aren't any. So Jesus says that He does not condemn her, either, and let's her go free,then tells us that we are to be like Him.
So maybe the next time you come across a homosexual and are getting ready to spit out a biting comment, think of these verses. It is not our place at all. It is between that person and God. And if some person is truly a Christian, but also a homosexual, then it will be taken care of if they do have that relationship with God. What "taken care of" means, none of us know, but it's not for us to know. Worry about yourself, and if you want to worry about others, do it respectfully and focus more on salvation.
We also should not look down on anyone, because we are supposed to approach everyone with love.
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
I don't see anything about "don't be homosexual" or "condemn all homosexuals" or "call all gay people 'faggots'" or anything remotely like this. But love the Lord, then love your neighbor. Being condescending has nothing to do with love at all.
There are so many issues with the way people treat others in general. We're all guilty of it, myself included, of course. But if we work to improve on this by tackling the major cases first, or maybe even the minor cases, then we can improve. A lot of issues in this world would be solved if we just consistently treated people right.
I think if I write another note like this, it will be about forgiveness vs revenge. That's another thing I see a lot.
Yeah, I'm about to chew you out.
I don't know where anyone gets off thinking that the word "nigger" is okay to say depending on the context. And I think it's very ridiculous to say "white people can be 'n words', too" yet every time I've heard that word used these past few months, it was not in regards to anyone white.
I know that I spent nine months at NYU, in which black people are the extreme minority, yet I never heard the 'n word' ever uttered. To go even further, I didn't even encounter the more subtle racism - the slight discrimination, the "casual" verbal judgments. The only references to me even being black were made by myself in a joking manner or by other minorities, also in a joking manner. But outside of that, there were at the most two references made in the WHOLE year by the majority group to me being black.
It's a Southern thing.
Everybody's racist, though. Don't even attempt to deny it. I hate it when people try to preface statements with "I'm not racist, but...", because yes, you are, and yes that statement you're about to say is sooo racist. Unfortunately in this current society, it's a bit of an inherent thing. But what you say, how you act, and the unfair judgments you make can be controlled.
So if a black person pisses you off, there's no reason to be calling him the n-word. Surely you have to know the history behind that word. How demeaning it has always been and how it was created to be geared solely towards black people. Thus, it is highly disrespectful to use that word. Period - I don't care if you only use that in regards to "ghetto" people or you even all white people that sometimes, it's still a highly offensive and completely disrespectful term.
Now my feelings don't get hurt every time that's said. I just get upset because it showcases ignorance and disrespect. You throw around such a weighted and negative term like it's nothing, like a group of people haven't been fighting against it and other discriminations for generations. Call someone an "asshole". I can't say I condone of that, either, but at least it has none of the attached sentiments that the n-word, though.
I was talking to Carmen about this, and she understood my views of how I don't take it personally, but just find it incredibly disrespectul and thus, infuriating, because that's the way that she gets with the word "faggot." It is, in fact, that same deal. Leading into this.
I am not a gay rights activist. I'll be honest - I'm a Christian, the Bible does say that a man should not lay with a man the way he does a woman, and do find it to be unnatural. However, the treatment of homosexuals is appalling. The "f-word" is meant to demean and belittle a specific group of people. In the same way as the "n-word", it's a term that dehumanizes, thus implying that that individual is not good enough to be given an actual identity, so thus he will be called the "f-word" instead.
See, that is some people have such severe problems with Christians. We're supposedly apart of a faith built about love, yet some of us throw around those terms like nothing, though obviously they are quite hurtful. Do you seriously think that if Jesus was on Earth right now, he'd go around to gay people, calling them "faggots" and "queers." No, this is Jesus, who hung out with prostitutes and tax collectors - the bottom of society at that time.
The foundation of Christianity is love. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die for our sins. Thus we are to show love in return - both to God and to those around us. Love, not condemn. Not treat a group of people so differently because we don't agree with their lifestyles.
It's quite hypocritical, too, in many ways, but especially because a lot Christians are willing to look past the sins of others and their own sins, yet come down so hard on homosexuality, as if it's the sin to end all sins. In my personal opinion, it's the most harmless. Promiscuous sex is way more damaging, if we're on the subject of sexuality. But God doesn't have a rating system of sin.
But it's pathetically funny, because surely if you ask some Christian what is worse - some guy who sleeps around a lot or a gay guy who is a virgin by choice, they'd say the former. That is not right.
Then there's the whole thing about how homosexuality is "different" because it's a lifestyle as opposed to an one-time act. Well, if you want to get technical, the "act" of someone being emotionally and physically attracted to someone of the same sex and pursuing a relationship with them is not a sin unless sex is involved, but rather the individual act of sex with someone of the same sex. I've read my Bible - and yes, it's all technical, so I won't dwell on that issue.
But is not anyone who is not a born again Christian living a sinful lifestyle, then? Yet there is a significantly less discrimination against those who aren't Christian than there is against homosexuals specifically.
Then the other "argument" is that supposedly one cannot be a Christian and a homosexual. But that's like saying that anyone who sins cannot be a Christian. Which of course is not true, because then no one would be a Christian. And then they'd bring up the whole "lifestyle" thing again, but is a Christian who has a problem with lying not a Christian? Or one who has a drinking problem?
But what it comes down to it all is that we really cannot define what a Christian is for others, now can we? We're just imperfect humans ourselves. So we have no right whatsoever to say that anyone isn't really a Christian, nor to condemn someone for anything, because that is for God and God alone.
We have no right to look down on anyone, homosexuals included, because we are not perfect ourselves.
Look up John 8:1-12. I'll paraphrase it. The Pharisees bring an adulterous woman to Jesus, saying that she needs to be stoned. Jesus says that whoever is that who is without sin can throw the first stone. No one, of course, does. Jesus then asks the woman where her accusers are, in which she answers that there aren't any. So Jesus says that He does not condemn her, either, and let's her go free,then tells us that we are to be like Him.
So maybe the next time you come across a homosexual and are getting ready to spit out a biting comment, think of these verses. It is not our place at all. It is between that person and God. And if some person is truly a Christian, but also a homosexual, then it will be taken care of if they do have that relationship with God. What "taken care of" means, none of us know, but it's not for us to know. Worry about yourself, and if you want to worry about others, do it respectfully and focus more on salvation.
We also should not look down on anyone, because we are supposed to approach everyone with love.
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied, “‘Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
I don't see anything about "don't be homosexual" or "condemn all homosexuals" or "call all gay people 'faggots'" or anything remotely like this. But love the Lord, then love your neighbor. Being condescending has nothing to do with love at all.
There are so many issues with the way people treat others in general. We're all guilty of it, myself included, of course. But if we work to improve on this by tackling the major cases first, or maybe even the minor cases, then we can improve. A lot of issues in this world would be solved if we just consistently treated people right.
I think if I write another note like this, it will be about forgiveness vs revenge. That's another thing I see a lot.
I don't care too much for mansions. Mansions can't buy me love.
From October 24, 2008
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
I always looked at that verse as to how we should love. And it definitely is a great template for that. But it has just occurred to me that that is how God loves us. Of course, I've always believed in the love of God, always known of it, but never exactly delved into what that exactly meant. It's just always been a general thing. But reading every single descriptor of love up above and knowing that that entails the love we receive from Jesus, just makes verses like Romans 8:38-39 even more comforting.
Something I feel like I've dealt with the past few months is specifically stated above - "it keeps no records of wrongs." And I know God forgives - we only have to ask, but it never stopped me from feeling ashamed, dirty - sometimes not even worthy of being apart of God. But that's a fallacy, and all on my part. Because though I can never forgive and forget, God most certainly does. And I may dwell in shame because of my sin, very well past the time I committed it, but there's no need to. God isn't holding it against me. I've sincerely asked for my forgiveness - it's time to move on.
I felt so guilty. I felt as God was telling me something, leading me to a certain direction, and I completely chickened out. I wasn't strong enough because I could act on what the Lord was telling me. But I had a realization today. God understands. He knows how hard it was, that I am only human - He knows exactly why I could've step up to the call. And instead of picturing Him looking down on me and shaking His head in disappointment, I picture Him smiling comfortingly at me, still loving me, telling me "It's okay, Chanelle. It's okay."
Of course, He would've been absolutely thrilled if I'd had the courage to go forth, despite it all. But he's not ashamed of me because I didn't, and I truly feel that in my heart. He knows my shortcomings, but is patient with them, because He loves me, and as the verse entails - "love is patient." And though undoubtedly it would've been better if I just would've pushed through in His intended direction, things will still come together perfectly. Albeit in a different way, but it still will - I know that.
I finally feel like I'm getting it right again, and it feels amazing
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
I always looked at that verse as to how we should love. And it definitely is a great template for that. But it has just occurred to me that that is how God loves us. Of course, I've always believed in the love of God, always known of it, but never exactly delved into what that exactly meant. It's just always been a general thing. But reading every single descriptor of love up above and knowing that that entails the love we receive from Jesus, just makes verses like Romans 8:38-39 even more comforting.
Something I feel like I've dealt with the past few months is specifically stated above - "it keeps no records of wrongs." And I know God forgives - we only have to ask, but it never stopped me from feeling ashamed, dirty - sometimes not even worthy of being apart of God. But that's a fallacy, and all on my part. Because though I can never forgive and forget, God most certainly does. And I may dwell in shame because of my sin, very well past the time I committed it, but there's no need to. God isn't holding it against me. I've sincerely asked for my forgiveness - it's time to move on.
I felt so guilty. I felt as God was telling me something, leading me to a certain direction, and I completely chickened out. I wasn't strong enough because I could act on what the Lord was telling me. But I had a realization today. God understands. He knows how hard it was, that I am only human - He knows exactly why I could've step up to the call. And instead of picturing Him looking down on me and shaking His head in disappointment, I picture Him smiling comfortingly at me, still loving me, telling me "It's okay, Chanelle. It's okay."
Of course, He would've been absolutely thrilled if I'd had the courage to go forth, despite it all. But he's not ashamed of me because I didn't, and I truly feel that in my heart. He knows my shortcomings, but is patient with them, because He loves me, and as the verse entails - "love is patient." And though undoubtedly it would've been better if I just would've pushed through in His intended direction, things will still come together perfectly. Albeit in a different way, but it still will - I know that.
I finally feel like I'm getting it right again, and it feels amazing
Therefore let us pursue things which make for peace...
From November 7, 2008
"Receive one who is weak in faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord, and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.
For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
By why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written:
'As I live, says the Lord
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.'
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way."
Romans 14:13
Given the recent dissension amongst Christians in lieu of the result of the most recent elections, I had a note prepared, delving deeper into a case I had already made, hoping to make a point. It was calmly written - it was a passionate note, but it was not an angry or accusatory one, but definitely one meant to prove a point.
I posted this note, let it settle for awhile, but in the midst of my procrastinations and distractions, I somehow returned to the note. The in that moment, a strong feeling arose in my gut. Immediately, I knew what the feeling meant - take down that note.
Immediately, I was reluctant and determined to ignore it. Yet as I moved to X-out of the page, the feeling remained, and I knew it would be a blatant disregard to God's will if I left it up. Against better judgment, my reaction still was along the lines of "Well, He'll get over it. Tomorrow, it won't matter."
But then God brought this verse to my heart, a verse I had came across earlier that day. Romans 14:19 - "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
And then He spoke to me (and I loosely quote):
"Chanelle, take down the note. You're not wrong, but it won't bring the Christian people together. Take it down."
So I did.
And it's true. It doesn't matter what I intended on fighting or how eloquently and nicely I put it. It doesn't matter how right I believe I am, or how good my intentions were in posting it, because it would've naturally caused disagreement. And though arguing has its fruits, when it gets to the point where it's pitting Christian against Christian - not just over any subject, but over God's Word, Will, and Intent - then we're teetering into something dangerous.
There's nothing wrong with a calm discussion, exploring different sides of an issues, and trying to mutually discover and derive a true meaning, whilst respecting and giving merit to each other's viewpoints. But there's a pretense set to these sort of discussions usually, and the intent is to discover as opposed to convincing.
But I had seen how other arguments on this particular subject developed - it was border-lining malicious with no sort of conceding and barely any respect. Given the subject of my note, there was a high chance that this comment section would've turned into a battlefield. As Christians, that is not what God wants from us - to be pitted against one another over a discord in beliefs, when at the heart of it, we believe in the exact same thing - the love of Jesus Christ.
Both sides were advocating for the same Lord, deriving their reasoning from the same Word, and ultimately came to a conclusion that they felt succeeded in glorifying the Kingdom. Perhaps we need to be focusing on that, because in this world, the last thing we need is a thick, black line separating the Christian community. We can argue over other things as much as we want, but I am quite certain that at least that is not God's Will for us as a body.
I am still highly bothered by some of the things expressed in recent days, but I just have to let it go. That is why I will argue no more, for the stability of our body is more important than defending my viewpoint and what it says about my relationship with God when I am quite confident in it already.
So we shouldn't judge or fight against each other - don't worry about what the other person says about a particular issue in regards to their faith in Christ and if it makes them more or less of a Christian, because the definition of a Christian is not up to us, and if a person's heart really belongs to Christ, despite his opinion on a matter - may it be wrong or right -"God is able to make him stand."
I guess it's less about making sure our specific beliefs align, but realizing that a person can, for example, believe that it is God's will that everyone has a choice (even if it is a choice that we vehemently disagree with), and still most definitely be a serious Christian, just as much as someone who dons the complete opposite standpoint, for "God has received" both. It is not that which defines our faith, but our love for the Lord and our love for others, and what we strive to do to promote both.
And if what we're doing is not out of love, then we have an issue. And I realize that the kind of arguing that I was participating in and potentially promoting was not creating an environment of love, but encouraging a divide. And that does not lead to either peace or mutual edification of the Christian body.
So I apologize for arguing. I stand by what I believe, but fact of the matter is, we've all given up our lives for the same Savior and are all trying to live according to the same purpose - His purpose, and derive our convictions, beliefs, and actions for the same Word. And that's all that matters. So instead of bickering amongst ourselves, instead "let us each be fully convinced in our own mind[s]", let's turn our focus and energy outwards in order to have a truly positive effect on this world by living our lives the right way.
"Receive one who is weak in faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things.
For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables.
Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord, and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.
For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.
For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.
For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.
By why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written:
'As I live, says the Lord
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.'
So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way."
Romans 14:13
Given the recent dissension amongst Christians in lieu of the result of the most recent elections, I had a note prepared, delving deeper into a case I had already made, hoping to make a point. It was calmly written - it was a passionate note, but it was not an angry or accusatory one, but definitely one meant to prove a point.
I posted this note, let it settle for awhile, but in the midst of my procrastinations and distractions, I somehow returned to the note. The in that moment, a strong feeling arose in my gut. Immediately, I knew what the feeling meant - take down that note.
Immediately, I was reluctant and determined to ignore it. Yet as I moved to X-out of the page, the feeling remained, and I knew it would be a blatant disregard to God's will if I left it up. Against better judgment, my reaction still was along the lines of "Well, He'll get over it. Tomorrow, it won't matter."
But then God brought this verse to my heart, a verse I had came across earlier that day. Romans 14:19 - "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
And then He spoke to me (and I loosely quote):
"Chanelle, take down the note. You're not wrong, but it won't bring the Christian people together. Take it down."
So I did.
And it's true. It doesn't matter what I intended on fighting or how eloquently and nicely I put it. It doesn't matter how right I believe I am, or how good my intentions were in posting it, because it would've naturally caused disagreement. And though arguing has its fruits, when it gets to the point where it's pitting Christian against Christian - not just over any subject, but over God's Word, Will, and Intent - then we're teetering into something dangerous.
There's nothing wrong with a calm discussion, exploring different sides of an issues, and trying to mutually discover and derive a true meaning, whilst respecting and giving merit to each other's viewpoints. But there's a pretense set to these sort of discussions usually, and the intent is to discover as opposed to convincing.
But I had seen how other arguments on this particular subject developed - it was border-lining malicious with no sort of conceding and barely any respect. Given the subject of my note, there was a high chance that this comment section would've turned into a battlefield. As Christians, that is not what God wants from us - to be pitted against one another over a discord in beliefs, when at the heart of it, we believe in the exact same thing - the love of Jesus Christ.
Both sides were advocating for the same Lord, deriving their reasoning from the same Word, and ultimately came to a conclusion that they felt succeeded in glorifying the Kingdom. Perhaps we need to be focusing on that, because in this world, the last thing we need is a thick, black line separating the Christian community. We can argue over other things as much as we want, but I am quite certain that at least that is not God's Will for us as a body.
I am still highly bothered by some of the things expressed in recent days, but I just have to let it go. That is why I will argue no more, for the stability of our body is more important than defending my viewpoint and what it says about my relationship with God when I am quite confident in it already.
So we shouldn't judge or fight against each other - don't worry about what the other person says about a particular issue in regards to their faith in Christ and if it makes them more or less of a Christian, because the definition of a Christian is not up to us, and if a person's heart really belongs to Christ, despite his opinion on a matter - may it be wrong or right -"God is able to make him stand."
I guess it's less about making sure our specific beliefs align, but realizing that a person can, for example, believe that it is God's will that everyone has a choice (even if it is a choice that we vehemently disagree with), and still most definitely be a serious Christian, just as much as someone who dons the complete opposite standpoint, for "God has received" both. It is not that which defines our faith, but our love for the Lord and our love for others, and what we strive to do to promote both.
And if what we're doing is not out of love, then we have an issue. And I realize that the kind of arguing that I was participating in and potentially promoting was not creating an environment of love, but encouraging a divide. And that does not lead to either peace or mutual edification of the Christian body.
So I apologize for arguing. I stand by what I believe, but fact of the matter is, we've all given up our lives for the same Savior and are all trying to live according to the same purpose - His purpose, and derive our convictions, beliefs, and actions for the same Word. And that's all that matters. So instead of bickering amongst ourselves, instead "let us each be fully convinced in our own mind[s]", let's turn our focus and energy outwards in order to have a truly positive effect on this world by living our lives the right way.
From What I Derive My Justification
From November 5, 2008
Matthew 25:40
The Kings will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Luke 14:13-14
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
Luke 12:32-33
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor.
Matthew 5:46-47
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Romans 14:19
Let us therefor make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own mater he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Romans 15:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
John 8:15-16
"You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me."
Matthew 14:14
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Acts 2:45
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Romans 13:8;10
Let no debt remind outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefor love is the fulfillment of the law.
Matthew 25:40
The Kings will reply, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."
Luke 14:13-14
But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
Luke 12:32-33
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor.
Matthew 5:46-47
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Romans 14:19
Let us therefor make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Romans 14:4
Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own mater he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
Romans 15:13
Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.
John 8:15-16
"You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one. And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me."
Matthew 14:14
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Acts 2:45
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Romans 13:8;10
Let no debt remind outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefor love is the fulfillment of the law.
He shall overcome.
From February 6, 2009
John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Interesting how I came across this verse earlier tonight, already highlighted, during Bible study when we were looking at a different, unrelated passaged in John. Interesting because later that night, this was the verse that framed my exact mindset, because I have no doubt in my mind that the words of that verse is absolutely true, but it is so frustrating to know that people who hold my same beliefs, own the same Word, overlook this in favor of saturating in the pains and trials of this world. Frustrating because more than anything, I just want people to have the same peace of mind that I have, and it's so close within their reach, but it's denied.
It was all these thoughts going through my head as I sat on the phone with my mom, in the midst of recession talk and stories of the distress of her clients, when I recalled that perfect verse I had encountered hours before. And John 16:33 holds so many wonders, from the words Jesus spoke, to the fact that that verse was so meticulously and purposely reappeared in my life at the exact moment I needed it to be. The fact that it was previously highlighted, thus ensuring that it would catch my attention. How the way it was highlighted lets me know that it was from a church service rather than my own studies, meaning it wasn't even necessarily something that personally struck me at the moment, but rather something I was instructed to read. The timing and the fit were perfect - that is God for you.
And I don't care if I sound foolish. These moments happen to frequently for me to be able to possibly dismiss them as mere coincidence or chance. I took statistics - the odds aren't that good. And maybe more so foolish by definition of others than believing that God's careful hands guided everything in a planned and flawless way up to the exact moment that a verse came to my attention is that I have a total peace of mind. Every thing that is going wrong is flying into my face from multiple directions, and I find myself not flinching, but smiling and living, and most importantly, believing, because this strength definitely does not come from myself, but rather from Jesus, because I have faith in every single promise He has laid out for me in His Word, and in the face of recession, divorce, housing crisis, and whatever else may be flawed, my life is perfect solely because of His love for me and what that results in.
Don't you see what He's telling us? Be of good cheer. He's not just telling us to believe - He's telling us to keep our spirits high. It's a habit to believe that everything will work out for the good, but to do so in depression and apathy - drudging through days with heads down waiting sadly for the moment when it call gets better. But if we know it will get better, then why wade in the depths? Let us laugh and sing - look these things that plague us straight in the eye and smile widely, because we know that there is something greater that we have. Greater than the world and all its troubles.
What I love is that Jesus does not skirt around the truth. He straight up tells us - the world will have tribulations. Not might. Not possibly. Will. There's never a guarantee that life in this world will be flawless - in fact, there's a guarantee that it will be quite the opposite. But what's amazing is that we're offered peace through Him. And I think Christians have a habit of getting so bogged down in our lives that we forget that. And it's truly tragic, because Jesus offers such an amazing thing to us, and we ignore it. We could have peace, but instead we let these tribulations attack our spirits.
So the walls are closing all around me. But I ignore it. I've found myself far away from the trivial problems that use to plague me in high school, because know I'm in the midst of serious problems - greater than I've ever known - and I don't know how they will affect my family and I. But in these moments when everything could easily fall apart - not just externally, but inside of me - I have chosen to graciously accept Jesus' offer of peace. And I have the upmost confidence that He will see me through. And believe me, I'm looking forward to see how He helps us overcome these hurdles, because by my limited understanding, I see no way, but I know that with Him, there is always a way.
And I don't know if you can comprehend (or maybe you can) how amazingly sound I feel right now, having that confidence in my Lord. I respect the tribulations at hand, I don't underestimate them, but I know my Lord, and I know that things will be taken care of. I don't know how or when, but they will. And that is good enough for me.
So I am going to be in good cheer, because Jesus says I can. I will go through my life, not letting these tribulations touch my mood or spirit. I will smile and laugh. I will dance and love. I will hold on with every fiber of my being to the power of my Lord, because that's all that will get me through. And I encourage every believer who hasn't already to let go to the burdens and do the same. Because you know what?
Jesus has overcome the world!
John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Interesting how I came across this verse earlier tonight, already highlighted, during Bible study when we were looking at a different, unrelated passaged in John. Interesting because later that night, this was the verse that framed my exact mindset, because I have no doubt in my mind that the words of that verse is absolutely true, but it is so frustrating to know that people who hold my same beliefs, own the same Word, overlook this in favor of saturating in the pains and trials of this world. Frustrating because more than anything, I just want people to have the same peace of mind that I have, and it's so close within their reach, but it's denied.
It was all these thoughts going through my head as I sat on the phone with my mom, in the midst of recession talk and stories of the distress of her clients, when I recalled that perfect verse I had encountered hours before. And John 16:33 holds so many wonders, from the words Jesus spoke, to the fact that that verse was so meticulously and purposely reappeared in my life at the exact moment I needed it to be. The fact that it was previously highlighted, thus ensuring that it would catch my attention. How the way it was highlighted lets me know that it was from a church service rather than my own studies, meaning it wasn't even necessarily something that personally struck me at the moment, but rather something I was instructed to read. The timing and the fit were perfect - that is God for you.
And I don't care if I sound foolish. These moments happen to frequently for me to be able to possibly dismiss them as mere coincidence or chance. I took statistics - the odds aren't that good. And maybe more so foolish by definition of others than believing that God's careful hands guided everything in a planned and flawless way up to the exact moment that a verse came to my attention is that I have a total peace of mind. Every thing that is going wrong is flying into my face from multiple directions, and I find myself not flinching, but smiling and living, and most importantly, believing, because this strength definitely does not come from myself, but rather from Jesus, because I have faith in every single promise He has laid out for me in His Word, and in the face of recession, divorce, housing crisis, and whatever else may be flawed, my life is perfect solely because of His love for me and what that results in.
Don't you see what He's telling us? Be of good cheer. He's not just telling us to believe - He's telling us to keep our spirits high. It's a habit to believe that everything will work out for the good, but to do so in depression and apathy - drudging through days with heads down waiting sadly for the moment when it call gets better. But if we know it will get better, then why wade in the depths? Let us laugh and sing - look these things that plague us straight in the eye and smile widely, because we know that there is something greater that we have. Greater than the world and all its troubles.
What I love is that Jesus does not skirt around the truth. He straight up tells us - the world will have tribulations. Not might. Not possibly. Will. There's never a guarantee that life in this world will be flawless - in fact, there's a guarantee that it will be quite the opposite. But what's amazing is that we're offered peace through Him. And I think Christians have a habit of getting so bogged down in our lives that we forget that. And it's truly tragic, because Jesus offers such an amazing thing to us, and we ignore it. We could have peace, but instead we let these tribulations attack our spirits.
So the walls are closing all around me. But I ignore it. I've found myself far away from the trivial problems that use to plague me in high school, because know I'm in the midst of serious problems - greater than I've ever known - and I don't know how they will affect my family and I. But in these moments when everything could easily fall apart - not just externally, but inside of me - I have chosen to graciously accept Jesus' offer of peace. And I have the upmost confidence that He will see me through. And believe me, I'm looking forward to see how He helps us overcome these hurdles, because by my limited understanding, I see no way, but I know that with Him, there is always a way.
And I don't know if you can comprehend (or maybe you can) how amazingly sound I feel right now, having that confidence in my Lord. I respect the tribulations at hand, I don't underestimate them, but I know my Lord, and I know that things will be taken care of. I don't know how or when, but they will. And that is good enough for me.
So I am going to be in good cheer, because Jesus says I can. I will go through my life, not letting these tribulations touch my mood or spirit. I will smile and laugh. I will dance and love. I will hold on with every fiber of my being to the power of my Lord, because that's all that will get me through. And I encourage every believer who hasn't already to let go to the burdens and do the same. Because you know what?
Jesus has overcome the world!
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