The hard part isnt being hated, its not being hateful in return. Or mocked, but not mocking. Slandered without slandering. People often hate, and mock, and slander believing it to he justified. If the prophets did it, does it mean they were automatically justified? Do we take their lead and follow John the Baptist, is he our example? Do we follow in the footsteps of the imperfect or do we strive for something greater? So why do people hate, and mock and slander? Usually because they are protecting themselves. I was just on a thread where a self-professed teacher was so derrogatory, putting anyone with differing doctrines in their place, painting certain groups with wide brushes, dictating what certain groups believe (he was way off on what I believe). He actually drove one man so far into the ground that the man lost control. We should never seek to degrade our brothers and sisters. Everyone has their breaking point. We should not hate, mock and slander, but love, educate and walk away if necessary. Hatred and mocking and slander are generally born of frustration, and we have no right to be frustrated at someone for not understanding. It took me homeschooling a special needs child to learn that. Degrading someone will always teach them - the wrong thing. Love gives us the understanding that someone who doesnt understand, just doesnt understand. Its as simple as that, and our contempt serves no good purpose.
Posted on: Wed, 21 May 2014 23:13:43 +0000