A Correct Assumption (Humor from the Christian viewpoint)

Just to end the week with a little light humor....

A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a very busy street.  Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him.  The man did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup. 

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer.  The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.   He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.  After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door.  She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.   I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, the 'HE>I' window sticker, the 'Not Of This World' window sticker along with the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk,

Naturally... I assumed you had stolen the car." 

There always seems to be a grain of truth in what we find humorous. 

 

The ’Fan of Christ’ Favorite Verse

So in your quest to understand 'What is Christianity' you have obviously heard this until it made your ears  bleed.  How many people do you know that are constantly reminding others of this verse?  "Do.  not judge others, and you will not be judged."  Matthew 7:1 I hear it all the time, this verse is usually quoted after I say something like, “Really!!”  (try using the word ‘really’ depending on your tone and infliction it can convey so much, also there are times when that is the only word that fits the situation;  but I digress, back to the topic)  or “Well you know what?  That is wrong."  Okay maybe I say it a little more forcibly, but you get the point.  

Matthew 7:1 is the ‘Fan of Christ’ favorite verse.  This verse, however, is not telling us that we should not make judgments, because in other passages we read that as believers, we are indeed to make evaluations, to be discerning, and yes— to even make judgments.  In fact, the Bible asks, "Don't you realize that someday we believers will judge the world?  And since you are going to judge the world, can't you decide even these little things among yourselves?”  1 Corinthians 6:2.  We are also told in Scripture "judgment must begin with God's household" 1 Peter 4:17.

A more accurate translation of Matthew 7:1 would be "Do not condemn others, and you will not be condemned”.  While the ‘Fan of Christ’ deliberately misinterprets their favorite verse, it does not alter the fact that  we are to judge, but we are not to condemn, for while I am in no position to condemn a person;  I am in a position to make judgments about things, situations, viewpoints, and even about people to some degree.

"Don't judge!" is said by ‘Fan’ who does not like it when we dare to challenge their behavior, actions, ideas and attitude.  In fact, I have found that those who claim to be most tolerant are in fact the least tolerant.  Those who are most narrow-minded people are often those who claim to be the most broad-minded.  Because when a Christian has a biblically based opinion, a ‘Fan of Christ’ will say, "How dare you say that!  Who are you to judge?"

If you claim to be a Christian, yet find yourself telling others ‘who are you to judge me’ perhaps it is time to reflect on if you are living a lifestyle that honors God.  Are those you find judging you in fact warning you that you are not obeying God?   Are you a Christian or a ‘Fan’?  There is a one living God, and you are not Him; if you are not obeying Him then you are willfully and deliberately disobeying Him.  

He has revealed himself in the pages of Scripture.  Therefore, as believers, we accept the fact that we have absolute truth from God.  In addition, we develop our worldview from what the Bible teaches, and part of that world view is to confront and judge those living in opposition to God, even if they are a ‘Fan’.

“For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”  1 Peter 4:17

 

Grateful Christian - First Fruits (part 3 of 3)

“Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce.” Proverbs 3:9

Understand that First Fruits have nothing to do with you being blessed, rather it is about faith.  God has blessed each of us with a unique talent, some of us with money, not so that we may have an easy life, a normal life, a life surrounded by mirrors, but rather so that we may be the first fruit and use His gifts to us so that we can help bring along the Second  Fruits.  To do that we must be willing to obey God completely (even if it means we must keep a promise we do not want to, or sacrifice something we desire, or think we deserve).  When we exercise our ‘God given right’ of following our own will over His, and hold on to all of the fruits He has blessed us with, we serve as a witness to the world that we neither recognize nor trust that He will provide for our needs in the future.

Are there any ways in which you might be taking back God's first fruits?  It is a simple question, with a simple method of examining your answer.  Look back on the last 3 months of your life, or even just the last month; how did you spent your time, how did you spent your money, what you did or did not say,  what you did or did not read or watch.  Whom you did or did not help.  

You are not commanded to give First Fruits, so when you sold all of your stuff that you no longer needed or wanted, on eBay, Craigslist or at a yard sale, it was not a sin, when you decided to sleep an extra half hour instead of actually reading the bible, when you decided to watch television instead of speeding a little more time in prayer, or when you decided to not volunteer to use your skills to help the church, these are not sins; but they do reveal a desire to look at mirrors instead of through windows.  

If asked, what would those who know you, say if they were asked if you gave away your First Fruits?  If it isn’t the same answer as yours then perhaps it is time you applied your knowledge and grew in wisdom. 

Because while knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is knowing not to serve it in a fruit salad.  And with Wisdom you get closer to knowing 'what is Christianity'.