Our world is filled with conflict. Everywhere you look. Wars, dictators, protests, politics, businesses, scientists, atheists and Christians, friends, enemies, denominations. People are constantly arguing over everything you can think of. Why? Why do we do it?
Well, it's just the way we are. We tend to be hostile with those we disagree with. We hold our opinions and belief in high regard. This is not a bad thing; if we didn't, then they wouldn't matter. But they do matter. Our whole society is based of either one opinion or another. But we take this praise of our own beliefs to an extreme level. We are all selfish, and all want to be right, and will do much more than we probably should to prove it. This easily turns into anger and outright hatred for those opposing us.
Many people, at least in the Christian sphere, try to disguise their anger by claiming they are "Zealous" for the Lord. This happens in such places as the Westboro Baptist Church, where there is an outright perversion of the Word. But even in mainstream "American Christianity" some elements have crept in. We are so quick to judge people. We immediately think we know who a person is, how they act, and what is in their heart just by looking, or having a small interaction with them. We use this judgment to guide how we act toward certain people. We even comment on how we think they are to other people. Is this what Jesus taught?
No! He taught exactly the opposite. He said love your neighbor as yourself, and also to love your enemies and pray for them continually. He wants us to drop all differences and love people. No matter how they have wronged you before, no matter how annoying, how immodest, or rude, or selfish, or disobedient, or argumentative, love them. I guarantee that if you showed a little more love to that person constantly bugging you, gossiping about you, offending you, whatever, that they will, Christian or not, see that something is different in you. That is what happens when do really live like Jesus. People notice. They say "what do they have that I don't? How can they keep such a positive attitude when I am a jerk?". Even if they don't, never give up. The seeds have been planted, and even if you aren't around to see the harvest, God is. Like my Dad always says. Don't let anyone's actions affect how you act. We have this tendency to lash back, but instead we need to restrain, pray, and love these people. Just think. Those people you are judging are probably the ones who need God's love the most.
Don't get me wrong. Be zealous for the Lord. Spread his word without hesitation, even if some people do get offended along the way. But do it in the most loving way possible. Even Jesus was angry, but not in sin. Follow Jesus' example and remember....
Love is the better way.
Well, it's just the way we are. We tend to be hostile with those we disagree with. We hold our opinions and belief in high regard. This is not a bad thing; if we didn't, then they wouldn't matter. But they do matter. Our whole society is based of either one opinion or another. But we take this praise of our own beliefs to an extreme level. We are all selfish, and all want to be right, and will do much more than we probably should to prove it. This easily turns into anger and outright hatred for those opposing us.
Many people, at least in the Christian sphere, try to disguise their anger by claiming they are "Zealous" for the Lord. This happens in such places as the Westboro Baptist Church, where there is an outright perversion of the Word. But even in mainstream "American Christianity" some elements have crept in. We are so quick to judge people. We immediately think we know who a person is, how they act, and what is in their heart just by looking, or having a small interaction with them. We use this judgment to guide how we act toward certain people. We even comment on how we think they are to other people. Is this what Jesus taught?
No! He taught exactly the opposite. He said love your neighbor as yourself, and also to love your enemies and pray for them continually. He wants us to drop all differences and love people. No matter how they have wronged you before, no matter how annoying, how immodest, or rude, or selfish, or disobedient, or argumentative, love them. I guarantee that if you showed a little more love to that person constantly bugging you, gossiping about you, offending you, whatever, that they will, Christian or not, see that something is different in you. That is what happens when do really live like Jesus. People notice. They say "what do they have that I don't? How can they keep such a positive attitude when I am a jerk?". Even if they don't, never give up. The seeds have been planted, and even if you aren't around to see the harvest, God is. Like my Dad always says. Don't let anyone's actions affect how you act. We have this tendency to lash back, but instead we need to restrain, pray, and love these people. Just think. Those people you are judging are probably the ones who need God's love the most.
Don't get me wrong. Be zealous for the Lord. Spread his word without hesitation, even if some people do get offended along the way. But do it in the most loving way possible. Even Jesus was angry, but not in sin. Follow Jesus' example and remember....
Love is the better way.
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