So I posted a modesty blog yesterday....just stating my personal opinions and personal standards for myself. Harmless right? I guess not. I found a Facebook status from one of my Facebook friends who quoted the blog and then proceeded to, in essence, tell of my....i don't even know what... for doing so. (If you're reading this, I still love ya! This incident just gave me a great chance to write about the issue that is happening too often to those of us who choose to voice our values). I am a Christian girl, automatically this puts me in an AWFUL position when it comes to our world today. I am considered hateful, narrow minded, judgmental, and downright horrid to most. Why? I don't agree. It's that simple. Yes, there are some terrible people in the Christian community...that's undeniable! I am very disappointed at the crap I hear coming out of the mouths of the church sometimes, believe me. Nothing hurts our witness for Christ like a Christian who attacks others for their beliefs. BUT, even if you say everything right.....you're going to be wrong in someone's eyes. Here are the main points for those of you who feel judged by me or those around you due to expressed personal standards:
Love is not agreement, and Agreement is not love:
My extent of agreement with your lifestyle or choices does not affect my respect and care for you as a human being. I am not a supporter of gay marriage (a huge topic now)......with that statement I just made, most would say I was expressing hate for a people group. It's just not the case. Hate would be me running around cursing your name and egging your house...but instead I get called hateful for saying that I believe marriage is a holy covenant between a man and woman before God...hmmm. Just because your lifestyle is against what I believe, doesn't mean that you are any less of a person to me! The problem is that we live in a world where acceptance is equal to love. If that is your view of love, then you will be very disappointed, very often. Frankly, I am tired of being bullied by those who keep pushing their anti-hate agenda on us. It has become a "religion" of its own.
You will always be wrong...to someone:
If everyone agrees with you....you're doing something wrong. I pray that everyone has morals and values that they stick to! This "make everyone comfortable" mentality that we have going on now is just soooo dangerous. Nobody stands for anything anymore.....the only thing we stand for is making sure that everyone feels like nobody opposes them. I know it's hard to be persecuted for your beliefs but let's remember what Jesus said.....He said that He would rather you be hot or cold....if you are lukewarm, he wants to spit you out.
Remember WHO matters:
It is very easy to give into a neutral mindset, embrace the culture and compromise. I mean it would be easier to just agree right? NO! You are on this earth with the purpose of fulfilling a mission from your Heavenly Father. You are not here to gain the acceptance and love of the population. Now, this does not give you permission to speak your mind in an offensive way or be disrespectful to those around you....but it does give you the right to stand your ground and stay true to who you are in Christ. The world around you will always change its beliefs and thoughts on what is okay, what is not.....and so on and so forth. God's word and His commands, however, DO NOT MOVE! <3 Be encouraged and stay standing!
Make sure you are keeping your witness untainted, people ARE watching:
Stand tall.....but don't be a stumbling block to those around you. Watch what you say, share with grace, love unconditionally, be respectful, and remember that you may be the ONLY Bible someone around you reads. Something you say or do may be harmless and sinless on its own......but if it causes someone around you to stumble, stop (what my modesty blog was centered around!) :D
Don't look down on anyone unless you are helping them up!
This is self explanatory...if you make someone feel like they are below you in worth because they don't believe as you do....don't expect to be heard.
How people view you DOES matter if you have chosen to live in God's purpose:
WHAT? Sarah you are crazyyyy!! I know...but hang tight with me for a sec. The big anthem of humanity has always been "It doesn't matter what they think of you!! You do what you want, live how you want, indulge in what makes YOU happy".....to those outside of the church this makes sense, but for my fellow Christ followers.....you are NOT your own! You are a vessel for Christ. How you choose to conduct yourself and how you act towards others does matter. Now, I know you can't always control how people view you on some things.....but you most definitely have a say in A LOT of things. This again is what my modesty post was all about. Maybe it isn't fair that we have to "cater" to men's eyes, and it does stink sometimes I know!! I'm human too!.....but guess what, if that low cut shirt causes another man to stumble.....it is a problem. We should respect each other enough to do what it takes to protect the hearts and minds of our fellow brothers and sisters. That's just one of the sacrifices that we have to be willing to make in order to live out our faith. <3 It is a choice you have to make.
Those outside the church cannot judged by Biblical standards:
Forcing "Jesus stuff" in the face of unbelievers and asking them to conform to it is not a reasonable thing to do. We need to be examples and live out our faiths....but we cannot expect those who do not share our values and morals to conform to them. We have the right to have an opinion and stand for our beliefs....but judging them harshly and expecting them to confess their "unchristian-ness" doesn't even make sense! However, we are called to judge fellow Christians. God even says to hold each other accountable! The whole "don't judge me" card is not applicable within the church, so listen when you are confronted....even if it's hard.
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