One of the best arguments non-Christians have against the Christian religion is the hypocrisy that reigns among us. I'm not talking about people who make honest mistakes, or give in to temptation every once in a while. I'm talking about the people who are Sunday-only Christians. They are the holier-than-thou type that judge others (which they are not supposed to do -- I admit, I have caught myself doing it at times), and treat others poorly.
Christians are not perfect. We make mistakes, we sin. It's what happens, we're human. But we try not to. Or we're supposed to try not to. Period. When we do, we recognize that we have sinned, and ask for forgiveness. And because we ask, it is given.
Back to the license plate cover. A couple of weeks ago, I was in church, and the message was about how Christians are not supposed to seek revenge. Three times the bible says "eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth," (Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, and Deuteronomy 19:21). So, if someone hits you, You hit them back, right? Right? No. Matthew 38:42 says:
38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[g]
39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the
right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and
take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go
one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn
away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
The other day, our pastor talked about the act of revenge and what the Old Testament says about that whole 'eye for an eye' phrase. These were laws set up to protect people from over-zealous revenge. If you took someones eye, you were going to lose no MORE than your eye as punishment. You were not to be killed for it. It was set up as a limit to the revenge that you could exact, the justice you could seek, not as a starting point.
I have a hard time with the whole revenge thing sometimes. Revenge feels good, especially at first. But what does it do to your heart? Isn't it better to kill with kindness? To be an example to the people who are treating you poorly by being exceptionally nice to them? Shouldn't we be treating our enemies as our friends? It's hard, very hard to be nice to people who are nasty to you. But it does show them a good example of Christianity.
3 comments:
Yes. Yes. And Yes. Exactly what I was tryin gto say, except much more elogquently...imagine that.
I may take you up on your church visit offer.
I have been struggling with this as well. So many judgemental, hypocritical people in the world. It makes me crazy! Those that demean or condemn others for doing wrong when they are not perfect themselves. So frustrating!
I'm glad you added that scripture from Matthew. The whole point of being Christian is to help us becom Christ-like. Never in his whole life did he take revenge on those who were so willing to cause him harm. It's what we should strive to be like ourselves.
Thanks for the post! :0)
I know exactly what you mean.
What I try to do is not care what other people are saying or doing. If you go to church every Sunday, but act hateful the rest of the week, I don't care. It isn't my salvation that is on the line.
When I decided to go to a different church than the one I grew up in, how the people acted was important in a way, but what was more important was how I felt being there. Did I feel the Spirit in what was being taught? Did I feel like I was closer to Christ by being there? Was I rejuvinated for the week ahead so I could try to be a better person?
I hate the hypocrisy, but because of it, I try to be a better Christian. Not perfect, because that isn't possible, but better.
I love reading your blog and how thoughtful and sincere you are. I know, I need to comment more! Love you!
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