June 15, 2008
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The Christian Bubble
I have noticed that there is a tendancy within the Christian community to hang out and fellowship a lot with Christians. While this is important, I think that it can be overdone and lead to a mentality that shuns other people. And as a result we congregate in our churches "free" from the "negative" impacts of homosexuals, Mormons and even Democrats, to name a few.
But this shunning lifestyle is in contrast to the life Jesus lived. He was often found rebuking religious leaders and was in turn rebuked for hanging out with those who were rejected by society. As he once said, "You will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged" (link). So basically he was saying that God will judge us based on how we have judged others. This is a scary warning, especially to those of us with a sometimes self-righteous mentality. And for those of us who call ourselves Christians it should directly impact how we treat others. Do we live with a smile on our face or do we scowl at those we disagree with? Do we look for the good in people or do we constantly look for the bad in people?
If everyone around is just like me I've fallen victim to the bubble mentality.
"Everytime you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing."
- Mother Teresa
Comments (17)
i thinkit is important to smile and spread love but also to speak up when someone is doing something disagreeable
One of the things I value most about Xanga is the diversity of thought and opinion. Bubbles need to be pricked.
I think there is a danger in always being positive though I catch myself doing it. I have a lot of tolerance for people's diversity but catch myself shutting out all that I judge as negative. Judi
@ShadyBlueberryBush - I think that a great majority of the time, it's only necessary to speak up *within* the church. We shouldn't be judging non-Christians by Christian standards; it's not fair. We don't have to conform to behavior we don't agree with, but that difference in action is what should speak, not the exclusive sort of condemnation that a lot of Christians show the world (e.g. In my high school there was a student who stood up in class one day and told a teacher he was going to Hell... the comment was completely assumptive and uncalled for, and I doubt that left the teacher with a better view of Christ's love).
In response to the actual post, hear hear! I don't get why Christians are so exclusive when CHRIST was the exact opposite in the Bible! It's like we're the Pharisees, afraid of getting the filth of the tax collectors and prostitutes on us. Hello!!!
i wonder why there aren't enough poor people, prostitutes, and other self-proclaimed sinners in the church if we are truly welcoming and reaching out to those that are lost
Peter, You would love the messages I've heard from a guy from Australia named Michael Frost who addresses the point you are making. Maybe I'll bring the cd's when we come up to see you and you'll have time to hear some of it. They're awesome.
UR
embracing diversity and exhibiting understanding. yay!
bubbles are just balls of gas confined by a cohesive sphere of identical molecules. it's like being surround by The Children of the Corn. the gas molecules can't conform and are always constricted. the tension will eventually cause the bubble to burst... and that's when bad things happen. it's better to have a good mix and no bubbles... cuz then it's harmonious and there's no bursting.
Nice thougths about all these...
I myself make it a point to avoid judging people and Smile to everyone I see...It's tough to try do all that but it's worth it!
Now I wish people would stop judging me as well!!!!!
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