Legal Property

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Saturday, March 12, 2011

The Ugly Christian

I was insensed when I read this article: http://media.pennlive.com/midstate_impact/other/Westboro.PDF
This is unbelievable. Did they not see in the Bible Jesus' commands us to love one another as He loved us? Where is the love in this article? I don't see any, do you?
Our whole goals as Christians, as I see it, are (1) To love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and (2) To lead others to love God in that same way. To tell each person that God loves him/her so much He would forgive him/her of anything and everything he/she did wrong.
I don't see any indication in the words of Christ that God would punish the State of Pennsylvania by killing 7 children. Instead, I think He would send comforters, people who will show His love to these children's parents and friends.
Think about it this way: Jill is a non-Christian living in the State of Wherever. Jill's family is killed in a horrific accident. As Jill is reeling from the blow, Bill walks up to her and says this is God's punishment for not going to church, for not listening to a given preacher, for living in sin in some way or another.
Betty comes up to Jill, covered dish in hand. She says, "I know you don't know me, but God does. He sent me to you because He loves you, and He grieves with you, and He wants to help you. Now, where can I help?" Betty takes Jill in her arms and holds her while she sobs out her grief on Betty's shoulder, listens while Jill pours out her sorrow into Betty's ears.
Who will win Jill to Christ, do you think?
Hatred has no place in Christ's plan to win the world for God. Love in action does.
God's best blessing on you.
Anne

4 comments:

Loree Lough said...

Exactly, Anne! While I'm not happy for the reason that inspired it, I'm so relieved that you wrote this.

No more saying "Oh, just ignore them, and they'll go away." That mindset hasn't worked so far, and you know what they say about the definition of insanity....

I think we all need to aspire to be Betty! (And maybe spill a little casserole onto Bill's shoes? LOL)

Good one, lady!

Jim said...

The Bible condemns homosexuality. The Law of Moses provides the death penalty for homosexuality.

The Bible provides numerous instances where the Almighty punishes an entire nation for the crimes of a few -- or one. King David's fooling around with Bathsheba comes to mind.

I don't see that the whackos at Westboro are doing anything particularly unChristian.

Anne Baxter Campbell said...

Loree--thank you.
BJA--true. In the old testament. Jesus repeatedly forgave. Where sin once ruled and condemned, forgiveness lifted and healed. Homosexuality is a sin. So are gossip, lying, adultry, gluttony, drunkenness, not doing the good that you know to do, or even contemplating on a particularly delightful sin. None of which Jesus will not forgive.
I've experienced the cleansing and healing of His forgiveness. I don't believe any of us has the right to condemn another person who is walking in sin. Let he (or she) who is without sin cast the first stone.

Anne Baxter Campbell said...

oops. The word is "incensed,: not "insensed."
sorry, folks.