As I begin writing this I'm a bit unsure of what to title this post. I felt the need to write a post on the topic of opinions vs. judgments after seeing a post "war" on Facebook recently. Many of you will know exactly what I am speaking of and many will not. However, the point is not to attack anyone for what they put on Facebook, or reveal who was upset or excited by it. My point is the address those who grew angry about what was said, and to address those who were throwing verse after verse and comment after comment at those people who were angry. If you begin reading this I ask that you please finish it before you judge me for what you think I am saying.
So many times Christians are unable to agree on differing opinions because we all feel so strongly about our personal beliefs and opinions. This is not necessarily a bad thing to feel differently, or to disagree. My problem is with how we go about disagreeing with one another. Proverbs 15:1 states, "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." It also states in Proverbs 18:19, "A brother offended is harder to be won that a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle." Now I realize that the truth is not always a palatable thing to hear, and a preacher in the pulpit is not there to preach warm fuzzies and make everyone feel good. If he is a true man of God he is there to relay to God's people what God has given him to say. HOWEVER....it is not okay to take what God has given you and blast God's people with it as if they are the most wicked people on the planet and they are going to hell if they do such things. Now I realize that may be an exaggeration for most preachers, but I have heard many preachers say such things in that exact manner. By the same token, God's people are given the same command as such preachers are, and it grieves me to see preachers and Christians alike taking their opinions and attaching Scripture to them and bashing other Christians on the proverbial head for their beliefs. Ephesians chapter 4 speaks to new Christians on how we are to live and what our duties are...and then states in verse 15 "But speaking the TRUTH IN LOVE, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:". Have you ever head the expression "You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"? This is what these verse I have written down are talking about. I do not agree with every Christian or lost person I might come in contact with about their beliefs and opinions. Do we discuss them? Sometimes. Do I agree with them? Not usually. Do I beat them over the head with my opinion, Bible, and treat them as though they are pond scum for believing that way? NO NO NO NO!!!!! How am I ever supposed to expect them to come to church, get saved, or if already a Christian, grow in Christ if I treat them that way? The problem with Christians is that we don't act like Christ would! Yes, I know that he was hard on some people at times, and he was pretty harsh with his words, but that was also when he was pushed to the very limit by these Pharisees and people who were self-righteous. With those who were very aware of what kind of person they are, such as the sinners and Saducees, he was kind and loving. God says in I Peter 5:6, "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due season." If Christians think that by going around being self-righteous about how Godly you think you are, and then you ignore these other verse and attack other Christians for the way they believe, you are no better than the Pharisees of the Bible, and we know that God had very little use for them or their attitudes. Now I realize my preface to the main point is taking a while, but I hope you will bear with me.
I have personally been on the receiving end of some pretty harsh criticisms for my own personal standards, just as many of you that will read this have. And I can safely say that 99% percent of the time, those criticisms come from Independent Fundamental Baptist people who act as thought they are better than me because they have "better" standards that I do. No, they don't, they are just different. The difference between me and them is that I don't attack their standards, but they attack mine. I don't make my standards lightly, and I pray diligently and ask the Lord to show me if my opinion on something is correct, and if I feel that God is pleased with the standards I have chosen, then I don't really care if someone else doesn't agree with me. The problem with most Christians is that they feel that I couldn't possibly be right, and they think that they can prove from Scripture where I'm wrong, when I know that they can't and that their opinion is based on what they think they can prove from the Bible. If God shows you something from the Bible and gives you a verse for it, great....but that doesn't mean that that particular verse is suddenly the doctrinal proof as to why your standard is Biblical and everyone else's is not. Christian, God does not expect us to be cookie cutter, he expects us to have an individual, personal relationship with Him. He does not want us to choose our standards because some man decided years ago that that was what Baptists should do. He wants us to come to Him and ask him to make us what he wants us to be. Everyone grows and matures at different times and stages, and it is not our job to be God's policeman and tell them what and when they should do things when perhaps God is not worried about that step yet. Our job is to love people, and let the Holy Spirit do his job. If you are a preacher, then if God lays something on your heart, preach it from your pulpit, where God intended for you to preach it. Don't bandy it about on Facebook where you might be hurting another preacher's people with your harsh words. If you are a Christian, don't be afraid to stand on what you believe. You may take a lot of flak for it, but if you truly believe that you have God's peace about your standards, then stand. DON'T attack others for feeling differently!
Now to my main point, the Facebook conversation I saw and participated in briefly. The post I originally commented on was something I agreed with, but I did not agree with how it was presented or how many of the "Independent Fundamentalists" commented on it. I, however, posted something later on the exact same topic, but was very kind and non-confrontational about it, and it was well-received by most. The difference? I was standing for what I believed, but I spoke the truth with kindness. I did not attack those who felt differently, because it is not my place to. If God wants them to change their mind, He is capable of dealing with them. But me ranting at them for being wrong will never change their mind. In fact, it will usually tend to have the exact opposite effect.
Christians, we have so little time left on this earth, and we spend more time arguing about standards and differences of opinion than we do telling others of Jesus and being an example of Christ. It is no surprise many people do not want our Jesus because they see how we act and how we treat each other. I have been treated more kindly by people who are lost or Christians who still smoke, drink and do things I may not agree with, and some of the worst treatment I have received was at the hands of Christians who walk around as if they are the most righteous people in the world. I will close with these few thoughts. First, get a walk with God and find out what he wants you to believe, don't just believe what a few great preachers of yesteryear told you to believe. Secondly, if someone else doesn't agree with your standards or convictions, get over it and if you feel they are wrong, pray for them. Also, pray for yourself in case you are wrong in judging them and maybe God will show you that. Thirdly, remember that doctrine and clearly outlined sins in the Bible are worth fighting over, not personal convictions. It's ok to stand firm about why you believe in your personal convictions, but don't attack or verbally assault those who feel differently. And finally, remember that the first and greatest commandment in the Bible is to love God, and the second after that is to love your neighbor. How are you doing at loving your neighbor?
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