A couple days ago I was scrolling through my Twitter feed when I ran across a tweet that saddened me greatly:
I just deleted my tweet about my question about the book of Revelation. I have never gotten anymore hate or ignorant comments than from Christians!
That is very telling.
What a terrible example we are setting? Do we say we are Christian and yet attack those who seek assistance interpreting scripture?
I have seen more Christians attacking Christians than ever should be. How are we living our faith if we are adding to the contention in the world? The sad fact is, we are allowing our fears and differences guide us.
- Does it matter which “image” of Christ we carry in our minds? “No!”
- Does it matter which “aspect” of Christ our group of disciples focus on? “No!”
- Does it matter which “name” of Christ we use most often? “No!”
- Does it matter how far along the path of discipleship someone else is? “No!”
What matters is that we made the choice to follow Christ. In following Christ we should have compassion for those on a different part of their path. What matters is that we act as brothers and sisters to every other disciple along the way.
Perhaps we could use a reminder from our Exemplar, I like this one from Paul’s epistle to the Galatians, chapter 3 verses 26-29:
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
When we remember that we are all one in Christ, then we can better act as examples of Christ to the world, as we are commanded in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 16:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
When we act from fear instead of glorifying our Father in Heaven, we push away those who may be new to their path of discipleship, and what’s more, we bring down upon our heads the hatred and persecution of non-believers.
I pray that we, as disciples of Christ Jesus, will remember to Fear Not, that He may be with us and we with Him.
May God bless you in your discipleship, Sarah
Photo by Joshua Earle on Unsplash
Sarah Tailor 