26 March 2006

Eight weeks to answer...

Okay, so it takes me a while to work through some questions so I can get answer with how I feel. A long time. But I get around to it eventually. Names are going to be a little sparse in this particular post, sorry.

The question was: "What is up with you two?".

While I am certain there is a personality conflict at the root of the issue, I generally don't dislike someone just because of that, I attempt to give everyone the benefit of the doubt until such time they prove they are a donkey, and that is more than one incident... I like the saying "once is an event, twice is a trend, three times is a problem", however even attempting to talk to this individual after they reached three didn't result in any sort of acknowledgement there was any issue. A big part of the problem here (for me) is this individuals profession of being a Christian. I am not buying it at all, Christianity is the big dog in these here parts, and this persons ego says that they think they are the big dog. They like being out front of everybody, honored for their position, and obviously they think they know much better than the rest of us what is what on any subject. If the prevalent religion was something else, he'd be out of Christianity faster than you could say Matthew 6:5.

Every Christian thinks there are key ideas that lead to living a Christian life. The things that I believe are most important would be love, humility, and a genuine relationship with God. I would look at any person and judge their word that they are Christian on these ideals.

-Love is simply treating other people like you would like to be treated. This is so simple, it's about respect... when you talk to the homeless, you look them in the eye. When you talk to someone in the throws of addiction, you listen to the human, not the problem. You give advice only when it is what is best for the other, not when it fulfills your view of the world or benefits you. You respect and treat each other like you want to be treated yourself.
-Humility is teachability. Sometimes all humility is; is listening and considering what you hear others say. Sometimes it is promptly admitting your mistakes, and taking measures to try to fix them. A sense of sequential improvement and submission to others knowing more than you do and have gifts that you don't. Humility is a genuine understanding of your condition as a human, and embracing it, not trying to stay where you are, but walking a path towards God.
-A genuine relationship with God is commitment. I cannot say with certainty what makes a relationship with God for anyone but myself, and even then. It is a realization that there is a Power that knows way more about what is better for you than you do, and this Power delights in your joy, like a parent watching their child play. It is finding a way to live your life according to the will of this God.

Now, this given what I believe to be essential to the Christian way of life, ask yourself, what is my issue with this person? Do they treat others in a respectful, loving manner? No. Are they teachable or even attempt to learn, or admit when they are wrong? Nope. The third might be a little trickier, because I rely on observation of parts one and two, and my discernment to tell me about people who have this relationship with God... this person might have a relationship with the Bible or a religion, but I don't think they know God.

The problem is quite fixable however, a person cannot continue to profess a relationship with God, this invoking the Divine, without it affecting them in some profound manner. They will give up on God because the stress of God's discipline is too much for them, or they will be changed because of it, and once again God will rejoice in another turning away from themselves and the world, and turning towards the Divine.

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I love you my friends, but being a Christian is not about being kind or tolerant all the time, because you can get led down the wrong path by a slow erosion of the 'capital T' truth. You have to be willing to draw a line in the sand and not go over it. Stand your ground with love, respect, and prayer for the situation. The incident was the not the problem, it was the straw that broke the camels back. This person's lack of discipline and humility has led to people, including themselves, to be injured physically, it is only a matter of time until it happens again (spiritual gift of prophecy not needed), and perhaps with catastrophic results, for them, for someone else, and perhaps for a certain organization we cherish. I will find it difficult to excuse any of you from saying you didn't see it coming, and when it does, will you stand by that person after that happens, or will you turn your back on them? What will it say about you if you abandon your friend when the only difference is it is convenient for you to do so?

I hope this answers your question. As always, it is only one side of a story, I welcome yours.

2 comments:

Viv said...

I know what you are refering to. You laid it out very well.

Schmendrick said...

"throes"

There is certainly more I might address, but I'm going to bed.

And besides, we already talked about it IP.