Be Kind

“The point of being kind with those with whom we disagree is not to be respected or befriended. This may never happen. Nor is the point of kindness to avoid either ruffling feathers or feeling awkward, which is cowardly ‘niceness.’ The point of kindness is to represent Jesus. Being kind to those with whom we disagree helps bring Christ to the center of the situation. Being kind is how Jesus acts. When we walk that way, we reflect and honor him, and it opens doors for what we say about him and the gospel.”

Barry Corey, author of Love Kindness

This quote reminded me of another book I read recently, A New and Ancient Evangelism by Judith Paulsen — Book Review. In it the author said every Christian should be a “lived apologetic.” When we are kind, those who are seeking will feel comfortable enough to ask their questions, and our behavior models Christ. As the apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church:

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us….”1 Corinthians 5:20.

So be kind. In today’s world that will make you stand out. And remember, you may be the only Bible some people ever read!

For more about kindness see these posts:

What is Kindness?

Deep Kindness by Houston Kraft–Book Review

Lovingkindness by William R. Miller–Book Review

Part 2: Literally Catholic

Basically, Christians Believe? 

Part 2: Literally Catholic 

The word catholic means universal or general12. It comes from the Greek word katholikos, which means “regarding the whole”12. The word catholic is used to describe the teaching and the faith of the Church that is universally united in its worship and doctrine3. The word catholic also implies that there are no divisions or branches within the Church3.  More like what we are not. If we’re honest that is. We are not unified anymore. And I’m not sure of the last time we were? I think Anti-denominational was an attempt at it, however, they became a everything goes. (In my opinion. Address hate mail to Santa at the north pole. My people will be in touch.) Or rather everyone is welcome.   “What?” you say, “Isn’t everyone welcome in God’s house?”   No. Not if they’re un-repentant, poisonous snakes looking to sow seeds of discord and non-biblical doctrine within the church.     1Corinthians 5:1-8  “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this? 3 For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this. 4 So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, 5 hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh,[a][b] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.  6 Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth    So I’m not picking on just the Never-denominated: To the broken branched methodist and Lutherans; is not modern sexual ‘orientation’ much the same type of sin and widely accepted social practice we denounced in Pauls’ day? Haven’t we, the church, already addressed all the things that are currently dividing us today? Were not the Corinthians also proud?   Brothers and Sisters in Christ. What do you believe? Are we Consistent? Can we (or you) point someone new to who you are as Christ defines it and why? Again I ask, why do we differ from church to church if we all have the same bible? And again I ask, Why is there any discussion at all?  If the bible, God’s eternal word, is our guide? Why do we, the created, assume to “interpret” God Almighty’s clear, unchanging, true words?  This should Never be compromised. Yet that’s exactly what “interpretation” of the Bible (God’s Word) has gotten us. Compromising on a regular basis with the World that we are in, yet supposed to be set apart from. A peculiar people is what we are to be. Different. Transformed and new. Get rid of the yeast.

What is the Church? # 2

“The church is a social fact as well as an eschatological sign. It draws its citizens into a shared public life with its distinctive language, rituals, calendar, practices, institutions, architecture, art music, in short with its culture …. The church is not an instrument to achieve other ends than fellowship with God. It serves society by being unapologetically itself and by bearing witness to the justice that alone makes human community possible, the justice due God. The greatest gift the church can give society is a glimpse, however fleeting of another city, where angels keep ‘eternal festival’ before the face of God.”

Robert L. Wilken, The Spirit of Early Christian Thought

In our last Sunday School class, we discussed Chapter 3 of the book of Philippians, particularly these verses:

“For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven.” Philippians 3:18-20

The next day, I picked up the book I am currently reading, Answering Speech by Daniel J. Brendsel, only to find it addressing the same Scripture! When this happens, I know God is telling me to pay attention!

The point the author made was this: as Christians, we are citizens of a different country, one with its own cultural identity. The church is our embassy in a strange land, and our common language is prayer. He also stressed the need to pray for the community in which we live, political leaders, and the nations around us. (Most of us do this as part of our corporate worship).

Our class spent a lot of time talking about what it meant to know that one day we will be in heaven, full-fledged citizens of the heavenly kingdom. There will be no more pain, suffering or death. We will praise God continually and bask in his presence. This book made me think about what it means to be a citizen of heaven today. It’s one of the examples of how we Christians live in a time that is both ‘right now’ and also ‘not yet.’ A good thing to ponder–am I doing my part for the Kingdom today?

 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

For more posts about the church see:

What Is the Church?

We (the Laity) Are the Church

Spiritual Formation as if the Church Mattered by James C. Wilhoit