Being the Christian among the non-Christians
Having been a faith-based and committed Christian for over a decade, you could easily think I had become accustomed to the strange looks when I tell people more about myself; for example, that on Sunday mornings I go to church instead of recovering from a boozy session with friends, that my life manual is the Bible, and that I have a personal relationship with God.
However, with so many prejudices attached to Christianity, it can sometimes be hard to speak candidly about my faith.
In addition to ‘being strange’, the common labels attached to Christians these days vary from the ‘party pooper’ to cult follower.
As part and parcel as they are of being a Christian today, stereotypical generalisations are not without their impact. A law student and friend of mine recently confided that he was annoyed by the ignorance of many who equate the church with a religious cult without asking what the Christian faith is actually about.
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A TRUE CHRISITAN IS ONE WHO HAS LEARNED TO PICK UP HIS CROSS AND FOALLOW JESUS. WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE TO INTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. mANY HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO FORSAKE THE THINGS OF THE WORLD AND HIS OWN WILL. THIS IS CALLED ABSOLUTE SURRENDER. ARE WE WILLING TO DIE FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE?????
-CAPTAINSWAYI find that being in a croup of unbelievers who are acting out their non-beliefs in Christianity is really uncomfortable and I will soon exit. One the other hand, being one on one with a non-believer who has an open mind is an opportunity presented by the Holy Spirit to share your faith. Just what works best for me personally.
-J. HunterYou are correct, it is hard. But we must never give in, to be one of the crowd. Thank GOD, HE put a little something in me that makes me balk instantly when someone tries to shame me into going against GOD, and for the world. It has happened so many times in my life. Many times, that is all I did was balk, because I had no idea how fight it except refuse to go along. How I wish I could have been able to say something, or do something to show them that they were so wrong. I hope that my decisions, somewhere along the way, my refusal made a difference to somebody. I remember once, I was the only one out of about 10 employees, who refused to go to a drinking, Christmas party. Of course, this little ignorant one, was not worth bothering about, so they did not care. The following week one lady said, "How I wish I had decided to do what you did?
-MyrtlelinderThis is part of the reason I was turned off to 'church' for such a long time. I remember a co-worker, who prayed at lunch, could quote scripture at a drop of a hat, and pointed out to me, if I didn't go to church I would go to hell. This same person, would cut people down behind their backs and spread rumors. I wanted nothing to do with a God, that had followers like that. It took me many years to come back to Jesus, and it took others who didn't force Jesus on me. My heart was opened up where I was at, warts and all. In reflection to that, I had a friend that was an atheist. He knew I was a Christian, but wanted nothing to do with God. He even told me not to share, so I didn't. I just tried, and failed a lot, to show through my actions, what God was all about and my Christian faith.
-RAMYears later, he had moved, along with his family, to Arizona. Living in Georgia, there was no way to really keep in touch, and as the years went by, we both lost track. It had to be about 5 years later, he called "to talk". I could tell something was wrong, and I prayed to God to give me words of wisdom, not from me, but for him from God. His wife had cheated on him, his job was killing him and his life was falling apart. I asked him if anyone had ever asked him to go to church. He replied he had someone who had asked many times. I told him that many churches have 'therapists' that will listen to people who are hurting. I told him he needed to talk to someone, and maybe a total stranger, not invested in him or his wife, would be his best bet. I finally convinced him, after having him promised me he would go to his friend, a go to his church to see if he could get some help.
About a month went by, and I hadn't heard from him. I prayed I had done the right thing, with all the anger I heard out of him. Then he called. He had excepted Christ, and was so excited. We spoke a bit, then he said, "Why didn't you tell me about Jesus?" The answer that came to me, without hesitation, was "You weren't ready." He then explained he had so much energy, he had shared with all his friends. I asked him, how they reacted. "They won't talk to me, won't hang around me, and look at me as if I was crazy." I then asked him what he think would have happened, if I didn't listen to him, when he said he didn't want to be told about Christ. He responded, "Probably the way they responded to me." I then explained his excitement would wear off, and part of the growth of Christ will come in good times…but mostly in the bad times. It is easy to ignore Christ in times when things are easy and running smooth. I believe it is part of the grace of God, that we have trials in our lives, to allow us to get back to Him. It seems though, we have it backwards many times. When you see a football game, and the game is over, it is easy to see the winning team kneeling and praising God…but it is hard to do the same with the losing team. I have litened to a audio of one such man, kneeling after a game, praising God in losing a game. In the big picture, nothing on this earth will we leave with. In death, a transformation of our bodies becomes one with the earth again. The outer shell isn't what God is interested in, nor care for. It is within us, our soul and our hearts, not the flesh of our nature. The last thing I want to do is bring that judgmental character on those outside those that follow Christ…but the content and context of 'don't judge, lest ye be' have to be present too. Jesus calls us too judge, with 'righteous judgement'. Those within Gods kingdom, or those that claim they are abiding by it. That caused the 'Great Awakening' in America with our founders. Clergy called out corruption…from other clergy. Church members looked into their own lives to cut out the sins of their own flesh, and friends, as hard as it was, called out friends in their sins, to get them on the right track. Not to cut them out of the church. That was on those standing in sin.
We look at churches today, and many do stand in sin. We are called to call out that. God will take care of those not of His kingdom, but Jesus warns us not to waste our time on those trying to pull us off the path to Him. "Pearls to swine", doesn't present the most beautiful gift, that God gives us, a present it to swine rolling and in muck and mud. They have to make up their minds, like my friend did.
Taking up our 'cross' will put those that ridicule, mock, laugh at, hate and cause harm to us. They will use the Bible, to post scripture, that Jesus says the TRUTH will be hidden from…in plain sight. Much like the immorality, liars, lies, fraud, envy, adultery, abortions, murder, stealing and tactics of double standards and double talk of half truths. In taking that stand, our lives will be taken from us, but our everlasting life is given to us. Living in the values of this world, and not being of it, is hard. I fall into sin daily…and only, because of the glory of God, and the grace that he gives me, do I stand a chance in being with Him. God Bless.
As believers in Jesus Christ we are mandated to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior. As we grow spiritually God will give us opportunities to witness especially if we are living according to His Word. Life is fantastic and enjoyable full of peace even when things happen in our lives that cause heartache and pain. He is our comforter; our very present help in trouble. He is the God full of grace and mercy and discipline when we need it and be thankful for it and grow from it.
-msjallenII Cor 1:3-4 -Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in our entire affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.