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Perpetuating Un-believers misconceptions

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by suzanne, Dec 2, 2002.

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  1. suzanne

    suzanne New Member

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    Hi all,

    I came back from my mom-in-laws funeral Sunday. Most of my husbands relatives are not Christians and its interesting to hear what they think a Christian is. A lot of their misconceptions have to do with a list of do's and don'ts. The one key element that is missing is what Christ did on the cross and the idea of grace. This always seems overshadowed by how a Christian looks, how a Christian acts. That's usually followed by comments about Christians being holier than thou, intolerant, hypocrites (couldn't leave that one out), judgemental.

    Then I came back to the board and saw so much cannibalism is makes me want to throw up.

    I have asked my non-saved friends and relatives in the past why they don't perceive me in this way or if they do. Here are some of the comments:
    I smile a lot, I'm not preachy (which is interesting because I'm not shy to stand up for righteous), I don't treat them like less of a person because they are not Christian, I'm calm and not argumentative, I have a good sense of humor, I'm always concerned about how others are doing. This is not to boast, because I am very inadequate in so many ways, but there is a kindness from God that speaks volumes. It is our love towards one another as Christians that is a witness to the world.

    My mom-in-law did not come to Christ because I was condesending or preachy but because I accepted her where she was at. And sometimes I kept my mouth shut and I prayed a lot before I said anything.

    If we in the body of Christ could only accept each other for who they are in the Lord, stumble over each other with our encouragements and edifications. What a message we would send to those watching. What an impact it would make.

    I'm disheartened and tired. I cringe when someone asked me if I'm a Christian because I want to be identified with grace,mercy, love and kindness of the Lord. I find myself wanting to qualify what kind of Christian I am.

    Maybe it's heaven I'm looking for. It seems that's where my eyes go when this life gets ugly.
    It shouldn't be ugly in the church.
     
    #1 suzanne, Dec 2, 2002
  2. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    That's usually followed by comments about Christians being holier than thou, intolerant, hypocrites (couldn't leave that one out), judgemental.

    Perhaps non-Chrsitians often view us in this manner because it's what we are sometimes. Certainly, when someone like Rev Falwell (whom I respect) gets out there and sticks his judgemental foot in his mouth, it certainly doesn't help dispel that view.
     
    #2 Johnv, Dec 2, 2002
  3. Helen

    Helen <img src =/Helen2.gif>

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    Amen, Suzanne, and thank you. I wish posts like yours didn't get buried so fast!
     
    #3 Helen, Dec 2, 2002
  4. wjrighter

    wjrighter New Member

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    suzanne; wondered if what you refered to,was that noticeable,or if it was just me. sure did like your post,hang in there,fresh input is sorley needed around here,cause Jesus still loves us !
    ............thanx-bill [​IMG]
     
    #4 wjrighter, Dec 3, 2002
  5. FearNot

    FearNot New Member

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    Suzanne,
    yes we are constantlybeing compared that way. The problem is in most instances they had one bad experience with someone like a relative and the rest of us are guilty by association.

    I have been able to work in some environments that few Christian do, a lumber yard and a gym to name two. I have been able to witness to a lot of people, some of which had that bad experience. Luckily I was able to have witness opportunities because they got to know that I was not going to tell them they were doomed, but did tell them what they needed to do to avoid hell. It is in the approach. The old saying, they don't care what you know till they know how much you care comes to mind.

    I have even gotten many opportunities to witness to a stripper friend who went to the gym I worked at. She knew I cared what happened to her spiritually, and appreciated when I looked out for her when guys would try to hit on her when she just wanted to work out.

    When you try to help a person with their needs they are a lot more likely to listen to you.
     
    #5 FearNot, Dec 3, 2002
  6. Johnv

    Johnv New Member

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    FearNot, not to "one up" you, but I once helped a stripper get a more "traditional" job, and when I last heard, she had completely turned her life around.

    If I had pointed my finger and yelled bible quotes at her, I doubt it would have helped at the time, since she needed a means of supporting herself, not a sermon. Turns out that those of us who helped her get a job were the sermon.

    [ December 03, 2002, 06:08 PM: Message edited by: Johnv ]
     
    #6 Johnv, Dec 3, 2002
  7. suzanne

    suzanne New Member

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    Sad but true :(
    Part of the problem is that we tend to look at people as a reflection of God and when people fail to live up to the expectations, God gets the blame.

    I've been around long to understand that there are always Christians who are genuine and others who you hold at arms length and warrent caution. But this doesn't change my relationship with the Lord. Unfortunately, the ones I'm cautious about far outweigh the genuine ones.

    Thanks to all who responded [​IMG]

    suzanne
     
    #7 suzanne, Dec 4, 2002
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