Perhaps it would be wise to consider, when we are speaking to a stranger online about our beliefs -- is this how we would want someone to reach out to one of our loved ones? Does our response to this stranger represent how we would want someone representing the character of our King towards our parents, siblings or children? It is so easy to label someone who doesnt get it as inferior, rebellious, ignorant, or insert contemptuous adjective here -- but if that was our loved one, how would we want them approached? Would we want them to stumble for lack of mercy and compassion, or would we want someone to speak with them who was patient and humble in their presentation. Online people are real, and they are the sum of more than their disagreements with us. We dont have a right to treat them like their worth to God is based on how well their doctrinal beliefs line up with ours. If God treated us like we treat others, based on how poorly our doctrine lined up with His at the time -- well, if He had talked to us the way I see some folks talking to Christians and unbelievers, we would have chalked up what He was saying to the Devil! We need to have the humility to treat others AT LEAST as well as God treats us,if He can humble Himself to be compassionate towards our malfunctions, just think of the patience we owe towards others. If we find ourselves in a situation where we cannot be kind, then may I suggest we have walked into a situation designed to expose our character flaws? In such a case, retreat and instrospection are probably going to yield more fruit than continuing to expose our shortcomings in full sight of the world. At all times we are representing the One we preach, and so we cannot afford to do things our way. Frankly, a lot of us need to start considering the possibility that we arent even remotely doing things His way at all.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 09:56:04 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015