I'm reading unChristian. As I've said before, a must read for anyone who wants to understand what the culture is thinking about Christians and their churches.
As I'm reading the chapter called, "Anti Homosexual" about the pervasive perception that Christians are against homosexual people, it strikes me--why are Christians so often defined by our fears?
We are supposed to be people who aren't ruled by our fears. A people of courage. Hebrews 11, anyone?
Yet every time I get an outlandish or ridiculous email about the latest thing to fear, its coming from a Christian friend. And the people who seem to be inordinately popular among supposed Christians on radio and TV seem driven by fear--"if so-and-so is elected, chaos will ensue". Anti-homosexual feelings and expressions also seem, at least to this observer, to be driven by fear--"If I get to close to gay people, I might catch homosexuality."
If "greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" is true, then it seems to me that we should not be so disproportionately defined by fear.
Shouldn't it be our fearlessness that we're known for? Fearless to love people who know one wants to be near? Fearless to face pain that no one else will face? Fearless to implant ourselves into places that no one else will choose to live? Fearless to sacrifice ourselves in ways that no one else will sacrifice? Fearless of the future in faithful confidence of the one who holds our lives and the future in His hand? Even fearless about death itself?
In the word association game, when I say "Christian" shouldn't you say, "fearless"? A reputation of "they know God is with them so they never seem to be afraid of circumstances or people"?
J.B. Phillips entitled one of his books, You're God is Too Small.
Maybe he's right?
I am sorry to state that in the last eight years many Christians in this country have held views and have acted out of pride, fear and ignorance. I have witnessed and experienced this first hand. Its been painful and embarrassing to me as an American and Christian. I hope the following Scriptures and wisdom will help challenge all of us to question the way we have viewed and approached matters in this country and abroad.
That your love may abound more & more in knowledge and depth of insight. Philippians 1:9B
Be on your guard;
stand firm in the faith;
be men of courage;
be strong.
Do everything in love.
1 Cor.16:13&14
A spirit of power, of love and of self discipline. 2 Tim 1:7B
To Him belong strength and victory. Job 12:16A
Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. England Prime Minister-Winston Churchill
Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all other. Winston Churchill
The principal part of faith is patience. George Macdonald
A man full of courage is also full of faith. Cicero
Faith gives the courage to live and do. Arthur H. Compton
Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear. Mark Twain
We judge of man's wisdom by his hope. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thank You
Michael Atto
7/17/08
Posted by: Michael Atto | July 17, 2008 at 05:12 PM