Posted on 05/01/2010 4:19:29 PM PDT by jackspyder
This article is not my typical article based upon a particular current event. It is a commentary based upon my disappointment with Christians, including myself.
I have been a "Christian" my whole life. I was brought up believing in Jesus, keeping the Sabbath day holy, tithing on every dime I received, praying to God ... it wasn't just something I was taught ... being a Christian has always been my identity.
That identity has solidified over the years and now I am as certain as ever that there is a God who loves me, whom I love, yet I find myself sad today. Sad and disappointed with myself. I know I am not alone. You may be sad and disappointed with yourself as well ...
(Excerpt) Read more at examiner.com ...
Interesting essay ...
When society promotes self-centeredness, perversion, secularism, socialism, etc. then the weaker Christians (and Jews for that matter) fall away. This has happened before in history. Hate the sin, not the sinner. We have work to do, not only in faith and prayer, but in works, to pull our fallen brethren from the pit. We now live in a post-Christian, neo-pagan society. Not something I’d expected to see in my life time, but our faith gives us hope and belief in the words of Christ, that his faith will prevail against the dark forces, which are numerous in this day and age. We will win in the end.
I think all the author proved is that Christians are human.
You have eternal life, a relationship with God in fact one of his sons and you are disappointed?
Amazing
hunh? how do you come to that conclusion? it’s not disappointment in what God has done, but what people are doing
The same people God has put in charge of the angels? The same people he has promised an inheritance to? The same people that Jesus says hear his voice?
If I’m disappointed in them aren’t I saying that I have a higher standard than God?
Of course we're human with our own failings, that should go without saying. What many of us ARE NOT (and I point the finger squarely at myself here...) is thankful for the blessings our Lord bestows upon us daily, and selfish in that we put ourselves and our needs first, and in many cases so proud of ourselves that we lose sight of Him.
Speaking for myself, guilty on all counts! When things are going well in our lives, we tend to think that we have control and we don't need God to help us. It's typically only when we lose control and have no where else to turn that we cry out for him. Again, I'm guilty of that too, far more than I'd like to be.
If I felt anything after reading this article, it was convicted. I've been really struggling with some of my attitudes lately, notably towards my job. On the one hand, I should be grateful to have it as I make a nice living and I can afford to put a roof over my family's head and food on the table every day, all the while there are plenty of families - some of which I know - that struggle to do so on a daily basis.
For months I've woken up and muttered to myself how much I hate my job because my boss is a complete jerk and the bank I work for has been cutting benefits even though they're wildly profitable. The last few weeks I've been struggling with that attitude reminding myself every time I mutter how much I hate my job that how blessed I am to even HAVE it, that our Lord has blessed me with the skills and talent to do it, and that absent his grace and mercy I may very well not be able to provide for my family.
I think in some way that gets to the heart of what the author is saying, and much of the reason I sit here typing this post knowing how convicted this article has made me feel.
Peace.
not at all, God is most likely much more disappointed
As in, for instance . . . ?
“If we, as Christians, would keep in mind that not only is God watching, but God is waiting, waiting for us to stop acting like fools, because we have the truth, we have His greatest resources, and His greatest wisdom at our disposal, if we would stop acting like the people we were before He saved us, like our next door neighbors, then we could start a fresh new born-again lifestyle where we really do die daily to who we think we are and start on the difficult, yet rewarding road ahead to being like one of His disciples.”
As a Jew, I agree with this author pretty much, except I don’t think G-d is “waiting” anymore.
Prayers for you. That stopped me in my tracks.
Thanks!
God keep you in the Hollow of His Hand.
John 1 (King James Version)
John 1
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2The same was in the beginning with God.
3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
I am so sorry for your illness, at the same time departing this world sooner rather than later could be an unexpected blessing - I dread what the future may hold for some of us
the author is a friend of mine and I will let him know about you. shared “conviction” amongst us fellow believers is a good thing
thank you and may god bless you as you seek His guidance between now and judgement day
I am so very sorry to hear that you are ill. I will pray for you, that God Almighty will protect you, guide you, bless you with peace and love, and hold you forever in His Arms. In Christ’s Most Holy Name I pray, Amen.
great post....great article...so right
thank you so much for your openness and honesty, what a great response and example of humility and right perspective.
onward Christian soldier - as God has enabled you.
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