Free thought

I went on a bit of a rant yesterday.  I was talking with a friend about people who classify themselves as "free thinkers," and how warped their perspectives can be sometimes.  Many of them will call themselves free thinkers, accepting, and open-minded in a heartbeat; and yet, the instant that they meet someone who calls themselves a "Christian," they instantly assume that the person is radical, illogical, unintelligent, and close-minded.  Where is the free thought, the accepting nature that they were so proud of??

Unfortunately, many people have this instantaneous dislike for Christians because we have the same attitude towards them.  We are supposed to be the ones who show Christ to the world; and yet, how often are nonbelievers met with disdain, haughtiness, and judgement from other Christians?  As much as it breaks my heart and yes, even angers me to see people who pride themselves on being open-minded be so close-minded and judgmental of my faith, it breaks my heart even more because I know that we are the reason that they think that.  Because of our own judgements and close-mindedness, we have caused the world to hate Jesus.

God doesn't want us to accept sin.  But He does want us to accept sinners.  How can they ever see God's love if we never show it to them?  How can they ever notice something different about Christians if we refuse to associate with them?  Peoples' knee-jerk reaction when they hear the name of Jesus should be to run towards Him, not away from Him.  Don't be someone who causes those around you to hate the name of Jesus. 

Romans 12:9-21

 ⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. ¹³ Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
 ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
 ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him;  if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
 ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

He renews our minds

I had a difficult day controlling my temper.  The waitress, the cashier, my friends and family, they all got the short end of my temper today.  As I sat today reading my Bible and repenting, I was reminded that God is the One who makes us new.  As we trust in Him, He will renew our minds and hearts and make us more and more like Him.

Today I was reminded of how far I have to go.  I can understand why Paul, whom we all look up to as a hero of the faith, considered himself "the least" of the early Christians.  Not that I am in any way trying to compare myself to Paul; but he understood that the better we know Jesus, the more we realize how far we have to go.

I thank God every day - especially today - that His mercies are new every morning, and that we can wake up renewed and refreshed in Him every day - no matter what's happened the day before.  Now that's something worth celebrating :).

Romans 12:2 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Ephesians 3:17-19

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. (NLT)