Scripture… As We Live It #208
This is the 208th passage in “Scripture… As We Live It.”
But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake find yourself in a debate with an unbeliever, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts arguments honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you debates you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience good philosophical foundations and sound logic, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ position may be put to shame. (1 Peter 3:14-16 re-mix)
(Please read the first post for an explanation of this series.)
Good one. In history there have been times when the church has really been persecuted, and other times when the church has significant power and influence. With this in mind, there may be a difference in defending your faith, and pushing your faith.
I see this remix as my way not loving others, I see this as playing God, when it is God’s way and God gives the increase all I can do is water and or plant, for it God that gives the increase to each of us all as individuals. So thanks for this remix to show me that I can get in the way of God, and do at times, never meaning to. So all i can say is let us all grow in grace and trust Gods to give each of us the increase that God sees fit in God’s timing
Howard
good points.
This is good encouragement for this week in NC.
I have found it pretty interesting that each person in the Body has different passions/things that pierce their hearts…perhaps because of their experiences and then the role God has for their life in the Church or in the culture. I’m always surprised what I really feel “whatever” about – not feeling the need to contribute one way or another… and then other things that really get me engaged… and then trying to figure out why those things do….
I am trying to process through WHEN it’s time to speak up (and about WHAT things) and when it’s time to be quiet/still & keep to my own business/work/life…..
and an extra thought I’ve been thinking of…Are we ever called to confront a NON believer over their sin? I’ve seen kirk cameron reach people with the gospel that way in his ministry…just asking questions of them to help them process through the truth that they ARE a sinner.
I’m learning that as much as God has used the internet in my life….it may be good for research/looking at different interpretations/ideologies…. it is NOT good for personal discussions/processing out things with others… because we forget that soo many more people than just our friends we are talking to can see it…obviously. I’ve only learned that about 25 times so far…
TOTALLY going on a FB hiatus for the months of October/November this year.
Thanks for the challenging words.
“…[the internet] may be good for research/looking at different interpretations/ideologies…”
I can identify with this…I find I can explore widely divergent viewpoints on various doctrines just by doing an Internet search. It is helpful in developing my Revisiting Scripture book, yet the internet is clearly not the best place to privately interact with someone else. So many comments can “sound” so strident even with the emoticons which don’t really help much.
“TOTALLY going on a FB hiatus for the months of October/November this year.”
Wow! Is this a 12-step process?
@Tom — it feels like it needs to be a 12 step program 🙂 especially for stay at home mom.
I have processed out quite a lot of lessons from this past week. I thought I’d write them here – maybe somebody can relate:
Lesson # 1 —- Do not process out politics/theology on open forums – including facebook! Even though you are sending the message/comments to your ‘friends’…and none of them were full of anger or bitterness but simply questions…. you forget that anybody/everybody can see them and those people don’t know you or your heart. Process out political/theological issues with your Church & brothers and sisters in your community! YES — it’s frustrating to only see one side all the time and the ‘other side’ always seems so vocal and you’d like to engage in the conversations simply just so it’s NOT one sided….. God understands that… He also understands that you don’t want to debate or argue – or convince others — but you just want BOTH sides heard for the onlookers if nothing else!!…. but even if it’s a good motive — resist that temptation! Private message your believing friend online if you can not resist the urge to comment.
Lesson # 2 — Don’t forget that you definitely (should) speak different and send a different message to a believer and a non believer about the Bible, sin, God, etc….. don’t forget who you are talking to (and that on FB you don’t know who is watching!)…… Nonbelievers resist the Word & Truth….even if it’s coming from a ‘friend’… don’t forget there is nothing you can say to them to open their heart. They especially are not open to your words when they are already on the offense (defense?) because they have a viewpoint *they* are trying to convince others of. This is for sure one of those times when love stays silent.
ahhh and one more thing… regarding debates/disagreements that I think I learned:
What happened this week in all my crunching for answers and wanting so badly for things to be black & white…. was that I came to the profound (to me) thought that WOW… if God wanted all of us to be really clear on everything and be totally unified in knowledge/brain….. then He wouldn’t have given us the Bible in the form it is in. One day we will “see fully” but right now we only see in part…. and that is God’s doing.
Not only is all this disunity in interpretation (and all these grey areas) accepted by Him…. it was PLANNED by Him… This is exactly what we need to learn to LOVE others. Loving others we always agree with is so easy. but loving through discord/disagreements – that’s the first step toward loving (and suffering) as He did. This is exactly what we need to learn to find unity in HIM. To be unified in Spirit when not unified in brain/intellect. If there were NO disagreements… there would be no need to work on unity. Also, when there are disagreements…. it helps us focus on what we can all agree on – Christ, Christ crucified, Christ risen!! 🙂 …unless we get bogged down in the trees and quibble quarrel and grumble.
This also makes me think that perhaps this is an even greater proof of how much we need each other. each of us has been convicted of different revelations/truths…. and only when brought together- can we get a really accurate picture of who God is and the Truth He has given us. We balance each other out and help meet in the middle – which is where the truth usually resides. perhaps this is where the scripture on parts of the Body makes sense too…. some are the eye, some are the feet…. I am clearly not the brain – maybe I’m an arm. 🙂
@ Tom — also interesting in your “Revisiting Scripture”
that would be interested — not interesting
Randi, thanks for that received
Howard
Randi,
Wow, very well put by the Spirit of God , thank You
Howard