Yesterday, I was out with
my oldest daughter. We had a good time together shopping for crafty things. I
mentioned what I read in someone’s blog about how Christians want to “fix”
other people. She then told me how mad it has made her through the years when I
tried to “fix” her.
“Remember when I told you
I don’t read the Bible and you wrote me a letter?”
I said, “Yes.”
“Well that upset me. I
just delete things you write me about religion. You have your relationship with
God your way and I have my relationship my way.”
I felt really bad and told
her I was sorry. I told her I was always terrified she wouldn’t be saved and I
knew that faith comes by hearing the Word of God.
I could tell that didn’t
help. She is still angry about the times I’ve talked with her about being a
Christian. She is one now, and has a ton of faith in God. More than I do, in
fact.
Now comes the part where I
am confused about living the Christian life. When we want to bring someone to
Christ, what should we say? What should we do?
In his blog, "Pastor
Unikely," Thomas writes,
“What if we tried to first bless people rather
than only trying to fix them? Would our lives and actions look different?”
https://pastorunlikely.com/2017/05/28/a-good-reminder-and-challenge-from-our-daily-bread-being-a-true-friend/
In a different slant, Anthony Baker wrote in
his blog, "The Recovering Legalist,"
“…our attempts to convey a point without
offending do nothing more than muddy the cleansing water, smudge the reflective
properties of God’s Word, and lessen the needed blow to our hardened
consciences.”
I look at Jesus and how he
shared his good news. He preached, he told us what righteousness was and what
sin was. Some followed him, some tried to throw him off a cliff or stone him.
He healed people; the people he healed loved him; the church leaders hated him
for it and plotted to kill him.
The times Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and
Saducees, he used plain language and warned them they were heading towards
hell. He told them they had no love for God in themselves. He pointed out their
sins.
When anyone asked Jesus a
question, they got the straight truth – no trying to sugar-coat anything. I
wonder how popular he would be today? I think we would kill him again.
My husband believes only
those who are called as prophets and ministers should point out sin or mistakes
in others. Maybe he is right – I don’t know.
Paul wrote, “Wives, in
the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do
not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior
of their wives.” 1 Peter 3:1
I know it is the Holy Spirit who has to convict people of sin and their
need of God. Maybe he doesn’t need anyone’s help at all in this except prophets
and ministers.
We can just show the love of God and show complete acceptance to
people, knowing it is God who will change them into His image.
