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Hmmm... Good observation. That could actually be a big part of it that I had never considered. Everyone wastes their money on frivolous spending and destructive lifestyles and this family stands out for being much wiser - and financially successful as a result. It could be jealousy behind the desire to dig up dirt on them.The issue isn’t their faith. Its their wealth. This is the only area they can attack. That’s how jealousy and envy works.
Good point. Yeah that makes a lot of sense. Simply saying you're sorry can speak volumes if people are used to never hearing that.But those are the best times to demonstrate it. Demonstrating Godly character is not about never messing up, it's about how you handle it when you do. Taking responsibility. Making things right. Not giving up. Not hiding it. And, having grace for others when they mess up.
Making things right is sometimes the most difficult thing. When someone has turned his or her life around it is sometimes difficult for them to go to the people they hurt and apologize and try to undue what they did.But those are the best times to demonstrate it. Demonstrating Godly character is not about never messing up, it's about how you handle it when you do. Taking responsibility. Making things right. Not giving up. Not hiding it. And, having grace for others when they mess up.
True, and it is not always possible or received well. All we can do is what is wise and within our power to do, then leave the rest to God.Making things right is sometimes the most difficult thing. When someone has turned his or her life around it is sometimes difficult for them to go to the people they hurt and apologize and try to undue what they did.
I would think that the "new nature" of the believer would be impressive to the non-believer. There was a change from one way of life to another.So this hasn't happened to me personally, since I was saved when I was a child...
However, I work for a Christian family who hires a mixture of people - saved and unsaved. One day I overheard a conversation between two workers about our employers' lives before they were Christians. The one guy knew them years ago before they were saved and was telling this younger employee about how they used to go out drinking and partying and breaking the law in subtle ways. The younger employee listened to this with satisfaction - obviously it convinced him that our employers were no different than anyone else in the world because they used to live that way. That "Christian" was just a title they gave themselves when they entered the professional world and gave that lifestyle up.
It was frustrating to me to listen to, because I believe that this family truly did meet Jesus (at least some of them) and they are different now because that was real. It wasn't just to look like respectable people for the sake of money...
How should we respond to unbelievers judging us for our former lives before meeting Jesus? When they ignore the life changes or brush them off as only surface deep?
Hmmm... Good observation. That could actually be a big part of it that I had never considered. Everyone wastes their money on frivolous spending and destructive lifestyles and this family stands out for being much wiser - and financially successful as a result. It could be jealousy behind the desire to dig up dirt on them.
Which, unfortunately, is an ongoing issue that also frustrates me. I understand Christians aren't perfect and will mess up, but I will admit there are things that the family does that still seems contradictory to their faith. I have overheard co-workers mocking them behind their backs for those things before, which makes it really hard to then try to be a witness myself...I would think that the "new nature" of the believer would be impressive to the non-believer. There was a change from one way of life to another.
Now if a Christian shows no fruit, then I can see how one's actions would be continually used against them.
Blessings
How should we respond to unbelievers judging us for our former lives before meeting Jesus? When they ignore the life changes or brush them off as only surface deep?
So this hasn't happened to me personally, since I was saved when I was a child...
However, I work for a Christian family who hires a mixture of people - saved and unsaved. One day I overheard a conversation between two workers about our employers' lives before they were Christians. The one guy knew them years ago before they were saved and was telling this younger employee about how they used to go out drinking and partying and breaking the law in subtle ways. The younger employee listened to this with satisfaction - obviously it convinced him that our employers were no different than anyone else in the world because they used to live that way. That "Christian" was just a title they gave themselves when they entered the professional world and gave that lifestyle up.
It was frustrating to me to listen to, because I believe that this family truly did meet Jesus (at least some of them) and they are different now because that was real. It wasn't just to look like respectable people for the sake of money...
How should we respond to unbelievers judging us for our former lives before meeting Jesus? When they ignore the life changes or brush them off as only surface deep?
How should we respond to unbelievers judging us for our former lives before meeting Jesus? When they ignore the life changes or brush them off as only surface deep?
It is difficult to see what is going on without specific examples. Part of the story was that they were being put down for things they did years ago when they were living a wild lifestyle. Jesus taught about the prodigal son who wasted his inheritance on partying in a foreign land. He spend his money and had to work for starvation wages. He repented and returned to try to work for low wages on his father's estate. His father hired him. Luke 15:11-32Which, unfortunately, is an ongoing issue that also frustrates me. I understand Christians aren't perfect and will mess up, but I will admit there are things that the family does that still seems contradictory to their faith. I have overheard co-workers mocking them behind their backs for those things before, which makes it really hard to then try to be a witness myself...
In fact, most of them seem to be proud of things which are blatantly rebelling against higher authorities. I have at times been afraid I could end up in legal trouble myself just for being associated with the company... Then other times they're like the godliest people on earth - praying at the start of company meetings and such. It can be maddening, the dichotomy at times.
So you're right. That disconnect between what they claim to believe and how they sometimes operate is probably very much at the heart of why others like to try to find yet more ways in which they're being hypocritical.
Yet, no Christian is perfect.
Many need no justification for believing that.For some, it almost seems like that's all it takes to be convinced Christianity is a joke.
Yes, but many don’t even make the effort to do anything to correct past wrongs.True, and it is not always possible or received well. All we can do is what is wise and within our power to do, then leave the rest to God.
No, but it is what very often happens.Well then that wouldn't be demonstrating Godly character and integrity then, would it?
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