For years, I’ve felt trapped inside my own thoughts, my own convictions, and my own faith. Not so much ‘afraid’ to share my thoughts with others really. It’s more of a need for privacy and self discovery.
I love the Holy Bible! However, unlike most of the Christians I know, I start with one lesson and grow out from there.
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
With this, I have learned to find my own salvation. I believe some ministers can ‘teach’ a good lesson, but ultimately, it’s up to us, as Christians, to find our own salvation. Basically, if something feels like a sin or if I feel guilty for my words or actions, then it’s probably a sin.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven
There are times I am amazed at the number of Christians who continually cast judgment on others. Christians seem so quick to condemn others and carry around massive grudges. These followers of Christ are subjecting others to ridicule rather than love and leadership. Doesn’t that seem wrong?
I’ll admit, judgment is one of those things I struggle with, but there is a difference, at least I think so. I know I judge people, but my judgments are based the actions of people who impact others in a negative way.
I feel it’s my role as a Christian to recognize the bad and negative influences and do what I can to replace them with all that is good.
My judgments are usually directed toward people who are in positions that would allow them to be powerful role models to our youth – yet they have chosen to make themselves more marketable. By ‘marketable’ I am referring to acts that would likely land them their own feature celebration week in Sodom and Gomorrah, parade and all.
Those people who are in the positions to make a positive impact on others or could be an amazing role model to others should take advantage of that position to spread all that is good.
I believe anyone who leads others into sin will be held accountable for the wrongdoings they encourage in others as well as their own.
Miranda Lambert’s song prompted me to revisit my own beliefs – that MY God is a much cooler God than most would have me think. He knows I’m going to sin and do things I’ll be ashamed of or feel guilty for. But like any parent, he’s gonna love me and want to hang out with me anyway.
I’ve smoked, I’ve drank, I’ve had premarital sex, I was pregnant before marriage, I worked in a bar, I have TWO tattoos (my dad didn’t talk to me over the first one and still doesn’t know about the second one).
There are days when I’ve dropped the F bomb a dozen times or more, but in the end, I know God is going to love me anyway.
While I may do all these things that many Christians would turn their nose at, when it comes to other people around me, whether they are poor, sick, gay, homeless or maybe just broken in spirit, I’m a good person who can be counted on – I give when I don’t have much to give – but God gave it to me, so it’s only right that I share it.
I think God really likes that about me.
I don’t need a bunch of judgmental Christians standing around telling me anything different.
The sign that is displayed prominently in the main room of my house reads:
You can preach a better sermon with your life than with your lips.
That’s precisely how I live. I don’t have to walk around throwing out “Praise Jesus” everywhere I go. I don’t have to slap a bumper sticker on my car letting the world know that God is My Co-Pilot. I live my life in a way that leads by example.
And so far it’s been one heckofa plan!
Cheers,
Gayla
