Fear

You are demonstrating faith in your interactions with Marshall. Somewhere way down the road he may remember the way you handled your grief and being made fun of. This could all be seed planting for a future harvest. Perhaps no fruit will grow, but you don't know that and at least you were willing to share what Christ has done for you with your friend in spite of the ridicule. Way to go!

 

Well said, Rob. Very well said indeed. :applause:

JB, I continue to be very proud of you! :xyzthumbs :xyzthumbs :applause:

 

That's the result you get when you have a church that will not admit that people are messed up, but God loves them anyway. Churches that focus on judgment and condemnation create a perception among its congregants that they must be perfect. Of course that's nearly impossible, so the reality becomes that everyone tries to appear perfect where that illusion lives (i.e. Sunday mornings).

It's a lie. And the consequences not only affect the individual in the pew who's living life trying not to get caught, it spreads to those outside the church who see the hypocrisy for what it is. And the worst part seems to be that no one's willing to admit it. Call it tradition or whatever, pure pride is what keeps the cycle going.

I think it boils down to one of two philosophies, really...

"We are really messed up. All of us. But God loves us despite the fact we're messed up. He wants us to be close to Him, and He wants to be close to us. And He loves us too much to leave us this way, which is why He showed us a better way to live."

Or...

"You are messed up, and you better get your act together and get right with God or He will destroy you."

Ironically, the second was closer to the mindset of the Pharisees during Jesus' time on earth. And He saw them for what they were -- religious hypocrites going through the motions and looking good in church, only to pursue their own agendas when they thought no one was looking.