Sometimes, I’m just dying to write, but don’t know what I have to say. Sometimes I’m just not sure. But, today, I just want to reiterate my desire to help folks see that – no matter what they’ve heard, thought, or been taught – God is NOT a judgmental, rules-based, “so holy He can’t deal with your sin” kind of God. God is LOVE. Says so right there in the Bible. I’m talking about that same Bible that so many have used to place guilt, pressure, and judgment on others. I should know, I’ve been that person before!
But, as a person who has learned how badly I needed to understand that I am loved by my Creator, by the one who never changes, no matter WHAT I’ve done or will do, I am now really passionate to help others see that, too. You see, I don’t believe that being the Face of God to the world is supposed to be about showing others how far from perfect they are. I don’t even think it’s supposed to be about showing them the error of their ways. I DO think it is supposed to be about being the FACE OF GOD! And, if we can’t be love, above all else, how can we be the face of a God who the Bible says IS love?
Oh, and that holiness thing? A friend of mine, who is a far more advanced Biblical scholar than I am, recently pointed out that the Hebrew word for the holiness that the Bible says to pursue literally means to “be becoming holy.” You see, it’s a process! It is not a destination. Paul addressed this when He told us that Jesus Himself, who WAS God, still “did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped.” (Phil 2:6) And, when the Bible speaks of God’s Holiness, it is capitalized. This designates God’s Holiness from the “holiness” which we are to be ever achieving.
So, the next time some “Christian” makes their conversation more about what is wrong with you than they do about what God thinks is RIGHT with you, remember what you read here. And, realize that many of those “Christians” have some really hard days coming down the road – if they ever REALLY meet the God they like to speak of, but not actually know!
One more thing… if the “Christians” I mention above are your reason for not attending church anymore, why don’t you quit letting “those people” be the reason you are not spending time with Him? Maybe you could go on a search for an authentic, Bible-based congregation that loves Him, loves each other, and wants you to be part of their family? If you are in the Knoxville, TN area, I can recommend a couple. Just give me a shout in the comments below!
Robby, good to see you are a “thinker” that goes beyond what you hear. God knows who we are, better than that of our knowing ourselves. When God speaks, we should listen, especially when He is talking “about” us.
We are made in His image, meaning that much of us is “like” Him. As you have drawn our attention to this, God Is Love, therefore, we were made in that image also. The one thing you address is the way “some Christians” act toward others. When that action is not motivated by Love, it is not of God.
There must come a time in our lives (Christians) when we open our eyes and see this truth. To many Christians live in a state of “negativism”, where they are right and you are wrong. They will never be a part of convincing anyone to faith in Christ.
Hey, it is the greatest thing to know that God forgives, when we ask. Asking is our admission that we realize we are sinners.
Thanks for your ………?
My dear, dear old friend, Buddy! I am so ashamed to admit that I have not kept up my blog, my blog writing, or my comment replies over these last few years. You left me such an encouraging message some 4.5 years (YEARS!) ago, and I hope the email address you used is still good! I miss you, and that Bum son of yours so much! I hope you’ll see more regular content from me in the future, as I believe God is moving me toward a calling to write, speak, and teach.
Many thanks, again, and I hope this email finds your family well! I love you, friend!
Robby
By the way: Dad’s passing was 8 years ago this Saturday, and Mom’s was 3 years ago on 4/25. I’ll always appreciate the role you played in those events for our family!