(Please be aware that this is written to/for Christians. If you are not a Christian and have questions from reading this, please PM me.)
There are thousands upon thousands of members here in Christian Forums. They range from all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicity. Some cultures I absolutely enjoy, Japan and Guatemala just to name a couple. Non-Christian to Christian and all measures in walks of faith. Posts upon countless posts from all types of emotion, praise/prayer and the not-so-friendlies.
I'm just going to get to the point. There are many measures of faith that God bestows upon us individually that yet work together as the body of Christ. Romans 12:3. There are many times that I forget we each hold a different area of growth in our faith with God. Sometimes it is so easy to stumble into the mentality of superior than thou. That is quite the religious attitude of that of the Pharisees.
I know I have been guilty of that and I see it many, many times in posts. There seems to be this kind of behaviour running amok everywhere. People trying to put others in their place, so to speak. There aren't enough times I see brothers and sisters in Christ humbly sharing the Gospel. Unfortunately, I know this is the work of the unseen enemy. Although and admittedly, not always what comes to my mind first before making a judgment... Ephesians 6:12
Thinking back when I came back to CF in 2014, I made a visit to the Baptist thread and there I was called a Pharisee and a viper just sharing some truth as I experienced it. No one questioned me lovingly about what I had posted and why. I was just attacked for it for no reason at all by whom appeared to be another brother in Christ. Whether or not he was, I cannot judge that as God knows our heart. I don't know if this person in particular was just having a bad day and lashing out at me. I was hurt, and I didn't know how to respond at that time or even about the stalking by one of them. My measure of faith at that moment in time was very baby-ish in works along with my faith. God had opened my eyes to His knowledge, but I was very weak in reactions to posts and people in person. The wisdom He had and still has for me is in progress, and all because of Him. There is none I can do on my own accord. John 15:5
I have since forgiven those people. Why I bring that up, you ask? Have I truly forgiven them? Of course! I bring it up because I recently was questioned about my faith very methodically or so it seemed, in order to not violate the rules in an obvious manner. I can't say whether that person did or didn't do that for sure and that is far beside the point. What I do know is how I reacted. I questioned that member's motive and wanted clarification. Not perfectly of course as I am still learning humility and humbleness, I responded with the question and also letting that member know their post was coming off as deceptive. I don't know if that was the right thing or not. Text is such a finicky thing.
I wrote this because I am angry... or at least I was at first. Now that it's all out there for all to see whom wish to see what another Christian is going through, I thought this blog should be made as a testimony of imperfection and how God gets us through it. This life which writes to you is by no means perfect, I cannot stress that enough. By the blood of Jesus Christ are we forgiven for our trespasses/transgression. Ephesians 1:6-7
If you have been hurt by a Christian Matthew 7:16-20, you have three ways of dealing with it: talk to them, ask them questions before walking away - unless by the Holy Spirit Whom guides us - and forgive them as you go separate ways (sometimes asking questions from an ill first impression can come out fruitful!) Take the matter to God. Or respond as the world does: sinful anger, malicious intent, etc.
There are only 2 paths to take...
Which will you choose and to what end? John 15:6
As for me, I am trying to remain in the Vine.
John 14:1, John 14:27
Something to think about: James 1:1-27
There are thousands upon thousands of members here in Christian Forums. They range from all kinds of backgrounds and ethnicity. Some cultures I absolutely enjoy, Japan and Guatemala just to name a couple. Non-Christian to Christian and all measures in walks of faith. Posts upon countless posts from all types of emotion, praise/prayer and the not-so-friendlies.
I'm just going to get to the point. There are many measures of faith that God bestows upon us individually that yet work together as the body of Christ. Romans 12:3. There are many times that I forget we each hold a different area of growth in our faith with God. Sometimes it is so easy to stumble into the mentality of superior than thou. That is quite the religious attitude of that of the Pharisees.
I know I have been guilty of that and I see it many, many times in posts. There seems to be this kind of behaviour running amok everywhere. People trying to put others in their place, so to speak. There aren't enough times I see brothers and sisters in Christ humbly sharing the Gospel. Unfortunately, I know this is the work of the unseen enemy. Although and admittedly, not always what comes to my mind first before making a judgment... Ephesians 6:12
Thinking back when I came back to CF in 2014, I made a visit to the Baptist thread and there I was called a Pharisee and a viper just sharing some truth as I experienced it. No one questioned me lovingly about what I had posted and why. I was just attacked for it for no reason at all by whom appeared to be another brother in Christ. Whether or not he was, I cannot judge that as God knows our heart. I don't know if this person in particular was just having a bad day and lashing out at me. I was hurt, and I didn't know how to respond at that time or even about the stalking by one of them. My measure of faith at that moment in time was very baby-ish in works along with my faith. God had opened my eyes to His knowledge, but I was very weak in reactions to posts and people in person. The wisdom He had and still has for me is in progress, and all because of Him. There is none I can do on my own accord. John 15:5
I have since forgiven those people. Why I bring that up, you ask? Have I truly forgiven them? Of course! I bring it up because I recently was questioned about my faith very methodically or so it seemed, in order to not violate the rules in an obvious manner. I can't say whether that person did or didn't do that for sure and that is far beside the point. What I do know is how I reacted. I questioned that member's motive and wanted clarification. Not perfectly of course as I am still learning humility and humbleness, I responded with the question and also letting that member know their post was coming off as deceptive. I don't know if that was the right thing or not. Text is such a finicky thing.
I wrote this because I am angry... or at least I was at first. Now that it's all out there for all to see whom wish to see what another Christian is going through, I thought this blog should be made as a testimony of imperfection and how God gets us through it. This life which writes to you is by no means perfect, I cannot stress that enough. By the blood of Jesus Christ are we forgiven for our trespasses/transgression. Ephesians 1:6-7
If you have been hurt by a Christian Matthew 7:16-20, you have three ways of dealing with it: talk to them, ask them questions before walking away - unless by the Holy Spirit Whom guides us - and forgive them as you go separate ways (sometimes asking questions from an ill first impression can come out fruitful!) Take the matter to God. Or respond as the world does: sinful anger, malicious intent, etc.
There are only 2 paths to take...
Which will you choose and to what end? John 15:6
As for me, I am trying to remain in the Vine.
John 14:1, John 14:27
Something to think about: James 1:1-27
