The timeliness of Sunday school showing me three videos below can only be attributed to God. The first one is a recent song by Switchfoot. The second and third videos I have not been able to locate. One video is of an "Open Air Holiness" church yelling against Switchfoot. It's words of people going to hell for listening to music, being drunk, looking at pron, were of hate and judgement. How are we suppose to respond to such yelling, even when talking or holding a conversation is out of the question. Maybe some of you have seen or heard this on your college campus, maybe on a literal street corner or downtown.
This chapter really hit home on how we are suppose to consider the second video. For many (Christians and non-christians alike) there is an immediate reaction of rage, anger, and a desire to punch them in the face for their hurt, inability to listen and hold even a close to a decent conversation, and further more mis-representing who Christ is. However, even the leader of Switchfoot in one a video (sorry it is not posted idk the name...) states that we are to love them. To bring them water, get them coffee, do not try to show the same level of anger and hate back, do not try to overcome them with your anger. After reading this chapter and remembering James 4:10-11, I feel there is a better more desirable reaction Jesus wants us to take. TO be aware of the devils work in this situation. To realize the amount of sin you and they have equal to same level of brokenness and that God, from HIS washing, is the only way anyone can get into Heaven. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Paul writes and points out common sins not just one over arching or "worst sin" and leads that because of such sin WE will not and can not "inherit the kingdom of God." But yet those who have accepted God's grace and believes in His love have been WASHED by HIM, not of ourselves. "We were washed" not we washed so that we will be "justified in the name of the Lord..." It does not work that way. Nothing I did, nothing you can do will get us "right" before God unless we make Him our God. Our true religion as the song goes.
The chapter discusses our our culture and our society breaks down into us and them paradigms. Democrats vs Republicans, blacks vs whites, rich vs poor, Dallas Cowboys vs Steelers, your highschool team against another.
- Why is it so hard to love "them?"
- Loving them can take so much more effort than loving those you act like you or like the same things as you. You have to find topics and ignore the difference, it takes patience, love, grace, a quite heart, to explore the differences. It can be hard loving them if you want to please people.
- How come Christianity flourished the most when it was under persecution and not sanctioned by the government. Why do you think that is the case?
- If you are going to go against culture and the government then you better have strong faith and a strong understanding of what you are fighting for. During those times of strong faith Christ's love and true self shown through individuals and groups of Christians. Those are my thoughts. They (Christians) were considered rebels, they were thought of as causing problems, they showed strength that has superseded power, and society.
- Have you ever tried washing yourself from your sin rather than letting Jesus do this work of grace?
- I;m sure I have but I can not remember a specific time. Since salvation of my soul, I have always known that I will never be removed from heaven and Gods love but even then when I feel I am not the best Christian I can be or a did something wrong such as enjoyed a little dirty dancing in the clubs (lustful) I think that I was still in good standing based off my habit of reading the bible every morning, and going to church every Sunday and then small groups every Tues night!
- Describe what most attracts you to the person of Jesus.
- His love. He seems like he would be a very approachable and attractable man. So wise but patient. I guess like a father figure.
- Jeff suggests that idolatry is "the act of placing anything or anyone above Jesus as the ultimate source of worth, satisfaction, and identitiy." why do we place other things above Jesus in our lives? Where do you find your worth, satisfaction, and identity?
- my first thought is that anything or anyone we place above Jesus is physical and able to give us direct and instant feedback and response. I place my fiance above Jesus quite often. It is because he loves me, he hugs me, he talks to me directly. Thats physical, that immediate. Jesus is not like that exactly. His use of the holy spirit is AMAZING and is worth more than my fiance will ever be able to give me (even when married) however it is not as easily accessed as a relationship with a human....
- I ultimately find my worth and satisfaction in anything anyone complements me on. I love to know I did something well. I love to hear how I helped someone and how special I am...
- If you were truly to follow Jesus, what would be different in your life?
- that's a tough question.... i feel I may need to meditate on this further... My first reaction is not desiring to please people and simply please Jesus for out of love for Him! Like a child wanting to make her dad happy and proud. This way my future marriage is Christ-Centered, my relationships are all Christ-centered, My heart and mind are Christ-centered, not pinterest centered, or cultured centered, or people-centered. My life, my heart, and my mind is not truly following Christ to the fullest. I know that... That is an area of continuous growth for me. :)
