James and I were talking this morning and he mentioned about a new post on his blog. The weird thing about it is that those same ideas have been bugging me for a very long time. Instead of commenting on his post, I decided to blog about it and finally get this into writing, then link the post through a comment on his. lol!
I realized the same thing when I read Yancey’s book What’s So Amazing About Grace. I learned that we may not agree with somebody’s principles or way of life but we don’t have to condemn him either (This does not apply only to Christians but to everybody). Most of the time, Christians have become more active in pickets and movements against a principle than sharing God’s word and letting other people experience God’s love and grace.
But what struck me even harder was when my best friend told me that she is hesitant in coming with me to a Christian support group because she felt uneasy everytime we go there. That she can’t really grasp what we are talking about (God’s grace, God’s love, etc.) and the more that she gets uneasy and ends up more confused.
Then it struck me (Again! Hahaha!). Sometimes we (Christians, that includes me) have this unconscious way of ostracizing non-Christians by talking about the things they can’t relate with. We talk about “relationship with God”, “God’s people”, “God’s love”, “being in constant conversation with God” whenever we are around non-Christians, thus the “holier-than-thou” attitude.
When I heard her say that, I couldn’t utter a word. I didn’t know what to say. I know I am guilty and I can’t redeem myself and the Christians in general (or maybe just those who are guilty of this too. hehe.). It was a real shocker (hahaha!). It was an eye opener for me.
Sometimes, people get disappointed with God because God’s body (that’s us) disappoints them. They don’t see compassion from God’s eyes. They don’t think God’s ears hear them. They don’t hear encouragements from God’s mouth. They don’t receive help from God’s hands. They don’t feel God’s feet walking towards/with them. Is God on a coma?
I am so glad we had that conversation. I am humbled, or maybe embarrased. I am sorry I made her feel that way.
Come to think of it, Christians are no better than ordinary people in terms of intelligence, strength, or physical appearance (among other things). The only thing that makes us different is that we know that we are imperfect and that we need help and that only God can help us.
A Tiny Stab At The Universe... 
Whoa..
A whole blog for a comment. Now thats kewl.
Haha…
Approved. 😀
it’s quite hard to find a balance, although I know there is…
I truly understand what you are talking about, and where you are coming from…. and I agree…
…and yet part of me has this “caution”…not to swing into the other side too much. There will be times when “non-Christian” would be uncomfortable being around with Christians simply because …. no matter what… so we shouldn’t be “uncomfortable” openly talking about “God’s love” or “being in constant conversation with God”….
..hard to explain but I think you’ll understand what I am trying to say….
bottomline… it is by grace that we have been saved…and showing grace to others is one of the best tool in leading others to Christ.
sometimes we just need watch our words and be conscious on dealing with our non-Christian friends. We should try to be more sensitve and look forward to whatever they will feel on a particular comment or conversation we had which involves our faith, God’s teaching etc. They should see Jesus in us. Not the other way around. Tee. 😀
Remember that God does not necessarily teach us to do the right thing but he rephrases his teaching to parables, stories and the most important thing is by setting an example…He allowed us to rethink our ways and He made us realize our own sins. It is by God’s grace that He had lead us to where we are now. And I still believe that there will always hope for the others as well. 🙂 sori kiko nag-blog na ako dito..haha!
Sadly, Christianity has become a sublture. Born-again Christians have their own jargons which the non-Christians will not be able to understand.
Here’s my stand on the matter: If we Christians are ever to successfully reach out to the lost, we should avoid using Christian jargons when we are around them. It’s a bit insensitive to use a sublture language that only Christians can understand while in the company of non-believers. Jargons like “fruits of the spirit” or “battling with the enemy” or “being saved by grace through faith” are totally abstract terms to a non-Christian’s mind. However, if used in church services or BS meetings (in other words, in Christian gatherings), that’s fairly normal.
The key, I think, is to strike the right balance. It’s not easy to do “friendship evangelism” without eventually using ‘words from the Bible (a need when the person being reached out to is ready to receive the Word), but it’s doable with God’s help.
P.S. I remember the time when I was not yet a Christian. I got turned off by holier-then-people, who spoke a lot of Christian jargons and judged me for not understanding them and accepting their words which they shoved down my throat. I learned a lot from this experience when I became a believer. It made me more sensitive to the feelings of my non-Christian friends and acquiantances.
*****
Hi, Arthur! Warm greetings from Switzerland. Hope you will be able to repost this blog entry over at Oikos Online. Thanks and God bless.
ERRATUM: I meant to write: “Sadly, Christianity has become a SUBCULTURE…” and not “SUBTURE.” Sorry for the typo error. It doesn’t pay to type so fast. 🙂
You wrote: “Sometimes, people get disappointed with God because God’s body (that’s us) disappoints them. They don’t see compassion from God’s eyes. They don’t think God’s ears hear them. They don’t hear encouragements from God’s mouth. They don’t receive help from God’s hands. They don’t feel God’s feet walking towards/with them. Is God on a coma?”
It’s high time that Christians humble themselves and call on God. Only then will true revival come.
I’m sad to note that many Christians don’t reflect God’s love in their lives. They don’t walk the talk. They have become sanctimonious and haughty. Preachy and proud. Unloving and judgmental. Hay…so many non-Christians contacts of mine have told me that they get stumbled with the life testimonies of people who claim they are born-again Christians. “They say one thing, but do another,” these people always tell me. Sad, but true.
At any rate, this serves as a reminder and a challenge to us Christians — to go back to the heart of worship and to strive to be DOERS of the Word and not hearers only.
James: Isn’t it? Hahaha!
Vanessa: After a very long time, you dropped by. Haha!
Liza: I do understand you and I do agree. I think we really need to find the balance, like what Jayred said. I must admit I didn’t cover the other side of the coin. Thanks! 😉
Karen: Thanks for the post. haha! You said it well.
Jayred: Wow. I think I should paste your comments in place of my post. Hahaha! Sure, I will post it in Oikos Online soon.
To all: While reading your comments, a phrase came to mind… What Would Jesus Do (WWJD). Let’s put ourselve’s in Christ’s shoes and think about what He will do when He mingles with our friends and other people who are not believers. God bless you all. 😀
This is so true, our realization of our imperfection would lead us towards more understanding and then patience, and eventually compassion–even to those who are not of our kind; for God is love and patience, how come we’re aren’t?
LOL. Sorry, I got carried away.
Thanks for reposting this piece over at OO. God bless, bro.
Hullo? Anybody home?
echoing ganns 🙂
hey, you at least changed your lay-out – hmmm… back to the old one with a new header?
Major Tom: Exactly!
Jayred: Lol! Don’t worry. I think it was so cool of you. Haha! Btw, I haven’t received the book you sent. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed.
Kuya Ganns: Argh! You caught me again! You are now officialy the police officer of this blog. Hahaha!
Liza: I did change the layout. I find the previous layout so crowded. I did use a different header but, now that I’ve looked at it, I’m thinking of changing it again into something more collaborative to the theme. Haha!
I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed, Arthur. 😉 How can I cover you in prayer if I have no idea what you’re up to? 😉
Aww. Thanks Kuya Ganns. Really, thank you.
“I learned that we may not agree with somebody’s principles or way of life but we don’t have to condemn him either”
I really like this point. Sometimes, it’s not about right and wrong or black and white.. =) I remember a phrase I heard or something..it’s like “unity in diversity”
The other point you mentioned was also really nice..like an arrow piercing straight to the heart =) We may not be aware of it, but more often than not, we are guilty of using Christian jargons around non-Christians..may we be more sensitive to others and not project (whether intentionally or unintentionally) a “holier than thou” attitude. After all, we’re all sinners.. =) I suddenly remember a bible verse Paul (I think) mentions..it goes something like “To the weak, I become weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some” (1 Cor. 9:22) I love this verse alot..just sharing with you guys.. =)
P.S: Boss Arthur, I’m still waiting for my pizza or junk food =) You know where to have it delivered =)