THAT’S NOT MY JOB
EVERY TIME I RUN into people who tell me I won’t get to heaven unless I believe what they believe, I know how Christians get a bad reputation. I think they’re probably trying to scare me into that section of heaven they believe is reserved for their denomination. As if they’d been there, scoped out the territory, and determined that their section was not only the best, it was the only one.
FOR ME, THEY HAVE TOO MANY PAT ANSWERS to questions I find far too complex for simple dot-connection. Can any of us be that certain? They are, and, given the opportunity, they are eager to debate with those who are not.
THIS IS WHEN I RESORT TO MARK 9. Jesus, Peter, James, and John descended the mountain after the transfiguration and found the disciples who had been left behind debating with scribes after a failed attempt at exorcising a possessed boy. Jesus asked, “What are you arguing about with them?” There is no answer.
IT NEEDED NONE. Arguing with those who already know they’re right—like scribes or Pharisees—is a waste of time. Dale Carnegie said it so well: “Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.”
HE ALSO SAID, “The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.” But, for me, it’s more than just avoidance. As a person of faith, it’s not my job to determine what only God has the authority to decide. And God, being God, is free to decide whatever He wishes and to change His mind as it pleases Him.
IF I DIDN’T BELIEVE THAT, I wouldn’t pray for others, asking that their burdens be eased, that their hearts be lightened, and that their health be restored. I wouldn’t believe the promises. I wouldn’t believe God.
BUT I DO.
I CANNOT KNOW HIS MIND. I can only look to his Son for a hint of what He’s like—after that, I’m pretty limited. The more I study, the more I pray, the more I’m convinced that those who claim more might be looking for assurances that prove that they are right.
THEY MAY HAVE MISSED THE POINT. Jesus told us to love one another; He didn’t tell us to scare one another. As Christians our job is to plant the seeds of faith . . . God will do the rest. That’s another of His promises.
You’re blessed. Be a blessing!
FOR ME, THEY HAVE TOO MANY PAT ANSWERS to questions I find far too complex for simple dot-connection. Can any of us be that certain? They are, and, given the opportunity, they are eager to debate with those who are not.
THIS IS WHEN I RESORT TO MARK 9. Jesus, Peter, James, and John descended the mountain after the transfiguration and found the disciples who had been left behind debating with scribes after a failed attempt at exorcising a possessed boy. Jesus asked, “What are you arguing about with them?” There is no answer.
IT NEEDED NONE. Arguing with those who already know they’re right—like scribes or Pharisees—is a waste of time. Dale Carnegie said it so well: “Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.”
HE ALSO SAID, “The only way to get the best of an argument is to avoid it.” But, for me, it’s more than just avoidance. As a person of faith, it’s not my job to determine what only God has the authority to decide. And God, being God, is free to decide whatever He wishes and to change His mind as it pleases Him.
IF I DIDN’T BELIEVE THAT, I wouldn’t pray for others, asking that their burdens be eased, that their hearts be lightened, and that their health be restored. I wouldn’t believe the promises. I wouldn’t believe God.
BUT I DO.
I CANNOT KNOW HIS MIND. I can only look to his Son for a hint of what He’s like—after that, I’m pretty limited. The more I study, the more I pray, the more I’m convinced that those who claim more might be looking for assurances that prove that they are right.
THEY MAY HAVE MISSED THE POINT. Jesus told us to love one another; He didn’t tell us to scare one another. As Christians our job is to plant the seeds of faith . . . God will do the rest. That’s another of His promises.
You’re blessed. Be a blessing!
Labels: argue, arguing, Believe God, debate, faith, promises, seeds of faith
posted by Chronic Hope at 3:52 PM
1 Comments:
Amen sister! Hope you've had a good week and that you enjoyed the snow as much as I did.
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