It Is Not The Critic That Counts.

[JAG 5000]

It Is Not The Critic That Counts.

Theodore's Quote introduced by JAG

Questions:

(1) Does this quote below have any application to what we as Christian Evangelicals

do in the world, for example, our efforts to push forward the success of the Lord Jesus' Great Commission

to go and make disciples of all nations?

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(2) Do you think it has any application to you and what you do, as it relates to those who criticize you? (if you have any critics.)

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(3) In general what are your thoughts regarding this quote?

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Start quote.

“It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly,

who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the

great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph

of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be

with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt Speech at the Sorbonne, Paris, April 23, 1910

Comments?

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[Fester Chugabrew]

Roosevelt is speaking from a worldly perspective, which is not necessarily wrong or bad. At the same time, his words are out of sync with what is taught of the Kingdom of Heaven, which will eternally outlast this sweaty arena. What kind of credit does one seek? To be honored by men for all the sweat and blood? Credit, in the eyes of God and according to the Gospel of Christ, begins and ends with the Creator, Who took on the form of a servant. Faith does not wallow in the world’s ideas of who deserves credit and who does not, but rejoices in knowing the God is perfect in bestowing credit when and where and how it pleases Him.

[Fester Chugabrew]

Typos and grammatical errors. Oboy.

[ecomcon]

Very well said. In the end, all the sweat and blood and effort won’t add up to a hill of beans if it is not done seeking first the kingdom of God.

[ADSUM]

Do we follow God’s Truth or the ways of the world influenced by Satan?

Jesus rebuked (criticized) the Pharisees several times in the Gospels (eg Matthew 15, 16, 23), so shouldn’t Christians be able to defend criticism with God’s Truth?

The Pharisees were not able to respond to Christ’s criticism.

We should not force God’s Truth on anyone, as everyone has the ability to accept or reject all of God’s revealed truth.

We can live our lives according to God’s Truth to share the Good News with all nations.

[JAG 5000]

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ALL TRUTH IS GOD’S TRUTH.

Which parts of TR’s quote is NOI true?

Best Regards.

JAG

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[JAG 5000]

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Which parts of TR’s quote is “the ways of the world influenced by Satan”?

Best

JAG

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[Fester Chugabrew]

Not all that is truly spoken is spoken of, or from God. Even devils have cried out to admit Who is the Holy One of God. As for Roosevelt’s words, I find no fault with them as human wisdom, but would treat them as no more than that.

[ADSUM]

We are all in the arena of life, and we choose either God’s Truth to live by or the ways of the world. Matthew 7:13

[JAG 5000]

Well anytime we Christians come across a truth that is from an unbeliever, it goes without saying that we look to the Bible to determine if what they said is really true. The quote by TR is fully in line with Biblical teaching. there is nothing in the quote that is contradicted by the Bible.

Compare the US Constitution.
Same thing, right?

best

JAG

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[JAG 5000]

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Sounds good to me.
Amen to that.

Best Regatds.

JAG

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[Fester Chugabrew]

Roosevelt’s writing teaches pride in one’s own, or another’s, struggle in life. The Sacred Scriptues teach no such thing. “Credit for the struggle” is largely an alien concept to the Bible, especially in regard to one’s standing before God.