First know, I am a Christian. I am not attacking the Christian faith, but I am strongly objecting to how more and more Christians are treating nonbelievers. This is my response to what I see as more and more judgmental Christians out there who seems to think they are something special and snub those that aren't believers. The only people Jesus ever blasted were the religious leaders of His time. They put Him down for hanging out with 'sinners', for eating with them, for even being around them, yet Christ said He came not for the righteous but for the sinners of which we all are. The only difference between us and others is we are saved sinners. Of course we strife to be Christ like and through the Holy Spirit many of those sins are gone but we commit one of the worse sins by driving people away by being hateful towards them! Jesus said the world would hate us for loving Him...but is that the reason you are hated? Or its it because you bully and put down others and try to dictate their lives? If you notice the Jews were being run by the worse nation in the world, Rome, yet Jesus did nothing to try to change Rome. He never fought against it, never ranted about their pagan gods, nor how badly they treated the Jews...why was that? Because change comes through the heart first. Eventually Rome fell, due to changed hearts but not by bullying or forcing their ways on them. We cannot ignore the teachings of Christ to love others, even our enemies saying well He is going to judge the world's sins and smite 'the wicked'! If He does, that is for Him alone to do...not us. I do not see one verse in the bible that says we have the right to past judgment on others or condemn them either. Christians are becoming lost themselves and hearing too many Christian leaders telling us to 'fight back' and do this and that and we have gone past the defense mode, to the attack mode and this goes against everything Christ taught us. Too many have become just plain hateful, twisting scriptures to justify it. The bible only says we can judge other Christians, NOT outsiders. The only one worthy of judging is Christ Himself...not one of us can judge others salvation. I realize Christians get worn down by the attacks we encounter constantly on the net and at times in our day to day lives, but you cannot ^#ume everyone is out to attack your faith and be so defensive all the time. Approach those that do want to know more with love and kindness! You are representing Christ in everything you do. This is in the bible. One day you will have to give an account for how you treated people. I think this is something that oughta cause alot of trembling knees.
Tired of being judged? Are you the one judging also? I'm
(Sal)a victim and perpertrator of this-intentionally and unintentionally at times! We witness this in the media a lot, especially recently (Thursday, February 5th 2004) with all these "celebrities" or "public officials" going to court:
National:
-Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers Basketball Star accused of rape
-Martha Stewart, Homemaker Show, being accused
of "unethical" financial handling of her stocks
-Michael Jackson, "King of Pop", accused of child molestation
State:
-Kirby Puckett, former Minnesota Twins Baseball Star accused last year of sexual harassment
-Kevin Moss, Viking Football Star accused of handling majiuana (sp?) and "hit & run"
...the list goes on! We can easily sit back and ridicule, gossip, and "judge" these folks! What about us? It seems to be easy to point fingers at others and not take a look at ourselves of the "wrongs" we've done in our life.
As Christians, we need to work in ourselves instead of pointing to others (anti-abortion protestors, homosexuals, MTV, Hollywood entertainers that get divorced, Sports stars getting in "trouble", President getting caught with adultery, Business people getting caught with white-collar crime, Catholic Priest getting caught wisth child molestation, Evangelical Pastors wanting $, etc...as "sinners"! The media loves to report "bad news" because it sells and get more attention then "good news"! Why is this so? Is it because it takes the attention of ourselves as sinners or our wrong doings in every day life?
Instead of "judging" other quickly-especially public figures, leaders (e.g. your pastor), or people around you..pray for them!
Put yourself in their shoes and ask youself-How would you like others respond to your mistake, sin, or wrong doing you did in life? Don't let the Devil try to divide you amongs others (especially love ones-wife, husband, family, relatives, etc....) and your Heavenly Father! Get to know Him, who is the source of love when you feel thins are falling apart!
Pointing Fingers
After 9/11, the media was quick to create a new term "terrorists". We kind of forgot the "terrorists" that has lived in our country before. There is this hip-hop song that goes something like this...
"killing people...are dying....practice what you preach...terrorists-KKK, CIA,...negative images of media act what they see...father, father"
It brought a good point that we have overlook the "terrorist" within our nation: militia men, school shootings, inner-city gangs, etc..Also, it can be within ourselves too!
More...Media's Bad News
