Do most of what you do out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, and seriously, do not consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look to your own interests. Others will figure it out in due time.
Or Romans 14...
Shun contact with fellow believers who don't see things the way you do. And jump all over them every time they do or say something you don't agree with—in particular when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, you have a religious institution to protect. Treat them harshly.
Or Colossians 4:5-6...
Be ungracious in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of truth, seasoned with harshness, so that everyone has the answers to the questions you want them to ask.
Well, what do you think? Is it the responsibility of the un-churched to adapt to our sub-culture or is it the responsibility of the mature believer/church to adapt to the un-churched? Sometimes we get it backwards don't we? All we really have to do is seek him first and then all the other stuff will be given us.
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5 comments:
If I didn't originally go to a seeker church, I don't think I would have never have ever been saved. But I think the reason why God has so many churches and denominations is because we are all wired differently.
God has a way of getting us to the church that is right for us. He knows what is best for us.
I have been to several churches in the last few years trying to figure out my own spiritual identity. I found that whithin the walls of the church 99% of all attendees to be warm, kind, friendly. But, take these same people outside of the church institution and express your "radical" or "differing" or "opposing" views, and suddenly they're telling you you're full of crap and absolutely wrong.
My point? I try not to get the adaptation to our sub-culture you speak of wrong. I cannot change the views of others, I only have my own. I can suggest. Who's to say who is right? Whose translation is wrong?
I pray to be kind to others, to further the kingdom by praying for guidence and clarity, and by relying on God's mercy and grace.
Just my thoughts...RTK
RTK... that's an interesting insight... the same people who are warm and friendly inside the church walls tend not to be outside the church walls...
I wander if the whole strength in numbers thing plays in here. When we're at church with lots of other people we can afford to be flexible but when we're by ourselves we can't.
Or maybe it's that when we're around others it holds us accountable to be gracious and merciful? By ourselves we're not.
Good point. Thanks! I think your last paragraph sums it up well.
You have to be who you are-not who you think others want you to be or who you think you should be. Its the hardest thing to be, and the easiest thing to be.
My motto has always been that you can be who you want to be and I will be who I want to be. I won't judge you-you don't judge me. We can co-exist even if we don't agree on things.
There is a lot of stuff we don't know on this plain of existence-but one day we will. Leave your mind open-you never know who might be right!
In essentials, unity, in non-essentials diversity, in all things charity.
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