If I ever do become a Christian, I am resolved to still be friends with the queers and the pagans and all the rest. And not “still be friends” in an artificial way that means my only goal is really to fix them and to make converts out of them and if I didn’t think I could convert them I probably never would have talked to them. Not that. I mean really just still be friends. I am resolved to not get so wrapped up in a church that the only people I am confortable with are fellow-Christians.
I am resolved to be humble about my faith, to accept that people have a lot of well-founded concerns and misgivings about Jesus and about Christianity (shoot, I have a bunch myself right now, which is why I’m still nowhere near the point where I would call myself a Christian).
I am resolved to never, ever, ever be that smug guy who knows all the answers and has all these scripture verses to prove it and has God all figured out and claims that everyting is so simple if you would only see things my way (which is of course not my way, but God’s True Way of Truth).
If I decide to become a Christian it will because I can see the wonder and the overwhelming beauty and majesty of Jesus, and because I can feel a change that He has worked in me, and my reaction to that will be wide-eyed wonder and humility. But it will never be self-righteousness. Never.
That’s my resolution.
Here! Here!
Good resolution. I try not to be that kind of pagan, too. 🙂
Christ came to show an example and to offer Himself up as a sacrifice for our sin. Faith is what is makes a relationship with Him, not membership in some organization or institution.
I think this prayer sums up how God meant for us to treat one another.
Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury,pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen
I’ve always loved that prayer. St. Francis definitely had it going on.
Hi Erik
I just found out about this way to stay in touch with people who comment. I agree with you. I like the prayer. Lots of good principles when combined with the principle found in this analogy. If a person is hungry and you give them a fish, they will eat today, but go hungry tomorrow. If you teach them how to fish, they will never go hungry another day of their life. When I practice the later in the context of the prayer, people are empowered, I am able to practice live and let live and be responsible to and not for them or their choices.
Have a great weekend.