I love you. Do you love me?

I've been contemplating writing this post for several months.  It's something that has been on my heart and mind, perhaps sparked by recent online posts, conversations, and articles I've read.  I have many friends that will surely disagree with me and that's ok.  My words come from the heart and with the greatest of intentions.

I am a Christian.  I have conservative beliefs.  I usually, ok, almost always - vote Republican.  And, I do not apologize for any of it.

Because I am all of these things, it does not mean that I am ignorant, withhold from those in need, or hate everyone who feels differently than I.  Let me say that one more time.  I am not ignorant.  I am not greedy.  And, I do not hate anyone.  I am not perfect, nor do I think that I am.  Jesus is the only person to ever possess that characteristic.

I am not stupid because I believe in Creation rather than Evolution.  Quite the opposite, in fact.  I choose to study and attend classes to better educate myself.  One has to have faith to believe in Evolution, just as I have faith in Creation.  We have the same sets of science and evidence.  It is how we interpret it that differs.  I choose to believe that God created all things in His own way and His own time.

While I'm on the subject, I also do not pick and choose what scripture I use or choose to believe in.   Everything in the Bible is in there for a reason.  I am totally guilty of taking things out of context before (again, not perfect).  But, I try my best to truly study and understand it.  You absolutely can not just pull a text from the Bible, rattle it off, and then argue it's validity without knowing and understanding the text in its entirety.  Here is a great example:  1 Corinthians 11 & 14 when Paul tells the women to be quiet and also makes references about the way men should wear their hair.  Those texts do not stand alone.   The backbone of these instructions are on orderly worship and relate mostly to the culture of people in the church.  He is teaching proper attitudes and conduct within the church.  It wasn't a spiritual command for women to pray with covered heads or to be quiet for the sake of being dominated.  The women were being disruptive and causing a division within the church because of their behaviors.  The same principles applied to the men and their hair.  In Corinth, men with long hair were seen as male prostitutes.  Paul is saying that we should avoid appearances and behaviors that distracts others or hurts our own witness.  This had everything to do with the culture of the people of the time.

Ok, moving on.  Why is it assumed that because I don't want the government to take more and more of my money, that I don't give to those in need?  Seriously?!  Where do you think the money comes from that supports all these government programs and such?  With that being said, I go to church with a group of the most loving, giving people I've ever known.  Our church alone feeds thousands upon thousands of people every year.  We raise money, give money, pack boxes of food, and deliver food to those in need every day.  We provide medical care, food, clothing, education, and much, much more to unwed mothers who have nothing.  We visit those that are homeless.  Where is the greed in all of this?

Why is it that because I disagree with the way someone lives or something they do, it is assumed that I hate them?  I hear all the time that Christians need to stop hating.  Since when did I say I hated anybody?  A sin is a sin.  Period.  I am a sinner.  I make mistakes.  I have several (yes, I said several) friends that have committed adultery.  Do I hate what they did?  Yes.  Do I hate them?  No.

Lastly, why is that because I'm a Christian, people assume I am closed minded?  Or that I'm a hypocrite (I'd love to mark this word from the dictionary it is so overused!)?  It takes an open mind to open a Bible and study the Word.  It also takes a strong person to stand up and make a choice for what is right.  It doesn't always happen.  People (um, I) make mistakes every day.  Does that make me a hypocrite?  No. It makes me human.

If you're reading this and feel as though I've slapped a label on you and put you in a box, then you know exactly how I've been feeling lately.  It goes both ways.  I do not judge you for your choices.  Please do not judge me for mine.  This life is too short to argue over petty things.  But, there is one thing that we can all agree on.  No one lives forever.  That is a fact.  The life on this earth is but a blink of an eye.  We must look to the future and where we will spend our eternity.

I love you, friends.  Each and everyone of you.

6 comments:

  1. Darsi said...:

    I love you, Kimmy!! And I couldn't have written this post any better than you did - spot on!

  1. Tim said...:

    Great message Kimbo!
    Tim

  1. Anonymous said...:

    amen. :) I feel the same way.

  1. Anonymous said...:

    Well put dear friend! Love you!

    Carmen

  1. Fields said...:

    Yes, yes, yes! You hit the nail on the head. And yeah, you know I love you!

  1. Unknown said...:

    Well said, sister!

 
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