"I don't care how you sit with the great, but rather with the broken." We've all seen that meme, haven't we? Or something worded to that effect?
And....I tend to agree with that sentiment. How one acts with the popular crowd, or one's friends isn't nearly as big a deal to me as how one interacts with the vulnerable, outcast and broken.
But, for Christians, there is another group that is weighing on my heart......how we sit and treat *each other.* We can be so harsh on other believers, and put so many restrictions, rules and standards on them that it is almost as if we are Pharisees chiding Jesus for how His Disciples behaved.
We nit pick about prayers, music styles, worship buildings, outfits of the clergy and choir....it is like watching chickens attack a wounded bird.....they keep going till the hurt chicken is dead. So many people of faith will keep attacking someone whose faith is not quite kosher (in their view) until that person's faith is dead and null.
Now...I'm not talking about addressing heretical teachings, or even gently bringing a Christian who has fallen away in faith back into the fold.....(and if those two just mentioned aren't done in love, respect and gentleness...they'll backfire anyway)....but rather, I'm addressing the general, day to day "every man" kind of believer.
It goes beyond squabbling about prayers and music, style of worship and clergy titles.....lately, these last months, I have seen so many Christians saying that you have to agree with them on all points of politics to be a believer. Or you have to endorse their social justice cause to be a real believer and have a real ministry. Or you have to adopt their restrictions and qualifications to be considered a "true disciple."
Balderdash. Hogwash. Codswallop.
You know what you have to do to be a follower of Jesus Christ? Believe in Him, repent of your sins, and love, trust and follow Him as closely as you can.
You know what you need to do to have a ministry? Be a follower of Christ...because we ALL have a ministry, whether we realize it or not. We are ALL missionaries that either bring people closer to Christ or push them further away. We ALL have the ability to show God's love to others and share the Good News...and we're ALL commanded, via the Great Commission, to do just that.
So no one else has the right to tell you that unless you adopt their special program, idea, cause, etc...that you're not doing what God calls you to do. That your faith isn't as genuine as theirs. That you can't do a ministry unless you conform to their statements. If you are reaching out to others in love, sharing the Good News and loving God and your neighbor as best you can....you are in a ministry.
If you want to be effective for God....then use the lessons and life He has given you to reach out to others. Because....He doesn't give us all the same talents, gifts or life stories....we're each made as special, distinct and beloved individuals...and we're each given our own ministry to do. I know former homeless people who now lead homeless ministries...and former addicts who are helping those held captive to struggle free. I know single moms who lead Bible studies, reaching out to hurt and wounded women; I know a formerly abused women who runs a shelter for those escaping domestic violence. There are Veterans helping other Vets deal with PTSD and returning to civilian life...and former gang members who go back into those war zones to help pull kids out. There are housewives who reach out to other women, helping to form family bonds in an often lonely age....and businessmen who run prayer groups weekly.
We're not all called to be missionaries to the Middle East or Asia....but we're all called to work where God calls us to be. For many of us, most of us, that will be in our communities, in our homes, and even through social media.
We need to stop trying to tell people that God will only use them if we approve of their gifts, passions and causes.....and start celebrating the differing gifts amongst us all.
The Bible says we all make up the Body of the Church (1 Corinthians 12)...and just as a hand doesn't do the same work as a foot, nor an eye the work of an ear...so we are all called to differing ministries. I have a friend who is a great exhorter of the Word, and that is very different that another friend who is called to be a great encourager. I have many friends who are great teachers, and some who are called to show great mercy. We each have our work. And just because your work may be rooted in a social cause, do not put down another whose work is in the realm of the scholarly. Because your work may be in the inner city, do not chastise those God has called to work in the rural fields.
You and I do not call anyone to their work for the Lord.....the Lord does. He knows how He has outfitted them, He knows His purpose for them and He sends them.
Just as a person who hurts themselves purposely is working at odds with their own health (both physical, mental and spiritually)...when the Body of Christ has members that seek to needlessly criticize, wound and maim other believers, the work of the Church is hampered and hindered.
It would be well if more Christians sought to remember what Jesus said concerning how the world would know we are His Disciples...." A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
"They'll know you are My disciples if you have love for one another." That pretty much sums it up. Let's stop pecking at one another, putting each other down and finding fault needlessly...and start lifting each other up in prayer, love and fellowship. Let's be known for our love.
In the name of Him who loved us first, let's show His love to the world...and to each other.
-Beth Haynes Butler
And....I tend to agree with that sentiment. How one acts with the popular crowd, or one's friends isn't nearly as big a deal to me as how one interacts with the vulnerable, outcast and broken.
But, for Christians, there is another group that is weighing on my heart......how we sit and treat *each other.* We can be so harsh on other believers, and put so many restrictions, rules and standards on them that it is almost as if we are Pharisees chiding Jesus for how His Disciples behaved.
We nit pick about prayers, music styles, worship buildings, outfits of the clergy and choir....it is like watching chickens attack a wounded bird.....they keep going till the hurt chicken is dead. So many people of faith will keep attacking someone whose faith is not quite kosher (in their view) until that person's faith is dead and null.
Now...I'm not talking about addressing heretical teachings, or even gently bringing a Christian who has fallen away in faith back into the fold.....(and if those two just mentioned aren't done in love, respect and gentleness...they'll backfire anyway)....but rather, I'm addressing the general, day to day "every man" kind of believer.
It goes beyond squabbling about prayers and music, style of worship and clergy titles.....lately, these last months, I have seen so many Christians saying that you have to agree with them on all points of politics to be a believer. Or you have to endorse their social justice cause to be a real believer and have a real ministry. Or you have to adopt their restrictions and qualifications to be considered a "true disciple."
Balderdash. Hogwash. Codswallop.
You know what you have to do to be a follower of Jesus Christ? Believe in Him, repent of your sins, and love, trust and follow Him as closely as you can.
You know what you need to do to have a ministry? Be a follower of Christ...because we ALL have a ministry, whether we realize it or not. We are ALL missionaries that either bring people closer to Christ or push them further away. We ALL have the ability to show God's love to others and share the Good News...and we're ALL commanded, via the Great Commission, to do just that.
So no one else has the right to tell you that unless you adopt their special program, idea, cause, etc...that you're not doing what God calls you to do. That your faith isn't as genuine as theirs. That you can't do a ministry unless you conform to their statements. If you are reaching out to others in love, sharing the Good News and loving God and your neighbor as best you can....you are in a ministry.
If you want to be effective for God....then use the lessons and life He has given you to reach out to others. Because....He doesn't give us all the same talents, gifts or life stories....we're each made as special, distinct and beloved individuals...and we're each given our own ministry to do. I know former homeless people who now lead homeless ministries...and former addicts who are helping those held captive to struggle free. I know single moms who lead Bible studies, reaching out to hurt and wounded women; I know a formerly abused women who runs a shelter for those escaping domestic violence. There are Veterans helping other Vets deal with PTSD and returning to civilian life...and former gang members who go back into those war zones to help pull kids out. There are housewives who reach out to other women, helping to form family bonds in an often lonely age....and businessmen who run prayer groups weekly.
We're not all called to be missionaries to the Middle East or Asia....but we're all called to work where God calls us to be. For many of us, most of us, that will be in our communities, in our homes, and even through social media.
We need to stop trying to tell people that God will only use them if we approve of their gifts, passions and causes.....and start celebrating the differing gifts amongst us all.
The Bible says we all make up the Body of the Church (1 Corinthians 12)...and just as a hand doesn't do the same work as a foot, nor an eye the work of an ear...so we are all called to differing ministries. I have a friend who is a great exhorter of the Word, and that is very different that another friend who is called to be a great encourager. I have many friends who are great teachers, and some who are called to show great mercy. We each have our work. And just because your work may be rooted in a social cause, do not put down another whose work is in the realm of the scholarly. Because your work may be in the inner city, do not chastise those God has called to work in the rural fields.
You and I do not call anyone to their work for the Lord.....the Lord does. He knows how He has outfitted them, He knows His purpose for them and He sends them.
Just as a person who hurts themselves purposely is working at odds with their own health (both physical, mental and spiritually)...when the Body of Christ has members that seek to needlessly criticize, wound and maim other believers, the work of the Church is hampered and hindered.
It would be well if more Christians sought to remember what Jesus said concerning how the world would know we are His Disciples...." A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
"They'll know you are My disciples if you have love for one another." That pretty much sums it up. Let's stop pecking at one another, putting each other down and finding fault needlessly...and start lifting each other up in prayer, love and fellowship. Let's be known for our love.
In the name of Him who loved us first, let's show His love to the world...and to each other.
-Beth Haynes Butler
No comments:
Post a Comment