I’ve generally been drawn to churches that have a social justice message.  To me, it meant practicing the love of Christ.  If I could just learn to love like Christ, then I would solve the world’s problems. Eventually, no matter my intentions, I began to see that I wasn’t having much effect on the world’s problems or even my own and my community’s.  But Christ’s message was more than his love for us.  Through study, I’m beginning to grasp that I can’t love the way Christ loves, I have to let Christ in me through to love like that.  And I do have my share of obstacles that I allow to get in the way of Christ living through me.

One of the thoughts from discussion today was how I respond when people accuse me of being judgmental, believing in Christ in the face of science.  I retreat.  I generally avoid confrontation, even when it’s something as important to me as talking about Christ.  I see this as one of my biggest obstalces that can keep me from letting Christ love through me.

Interesting discussion in our small group today about how we should reach out to others .   Dan mentioned what Jesus did when dealing with non-believers.  I’ve been stuck on Matthew 12:34 where Jesus was speaking about the Pharisees who called him a demon and spoke against the Holy Spirit.

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.  

Is it ever appropriate for us to act in this manner?  Many people will suffer eternally for failing to accept Jesus.  What tools can we use in good conscience to save people’s eternal soul?  Aren’t these the same issues wrestled with during the Crusades?

I wanted to bring some of the thoughts we had from the Sunday night meeting into our men’s small group meeting.

Currently I am on the thought of fellowship.   We had a small discussion about 1 Thess 2:8

We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. (NIV)

I was thinking about the internal blockages that prevent me from sharing.  I know I am very focused on keeping up appearances of emotional and spiritual health when I know that things are missing.  I can become convinced that others are aware that I’m missing these spiritual gifts.  Many parts of popular culture is based on some form of judgment, from how well we do at a physical challenge, like a race, how we look, how we perform at our job, how we treat our children and spouses.  This self judgment is already so painful, so why continue to ratchet up the pain by exposing myself to judgment for my own spiritual/emotional lapses.  Is the benefit of being “held dear” by others worth the risk?

This “stepping out” into the unknown world of spiritual health, where I don’t know the rating system, is the risk.  I have cultivated a persona/facade which so very few can get through.  It’s so tailored to each individual or group that determining an authentic voice can even be difficult.  The fear of judgment, of yet another perceived failure, seems so immense, no matter how much I want to convince myself that I can deal with any rejection, any judgment.

I know it is easier for others, that they have achieved peace with who they are, contentment with what they have.  Maybe for those interested in the topic, we can continue this discussion on-line.

Thanks.

How do you feel about using border markers to determine someone’s passage with Christ?  How have you gotten past ignoring these border markers, or do you see that as necessary?