I read this in tonight's devotional; and it helped answer some questions for me.
John 9:4
I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
You may remember, I have mentioned a few more times: one more handout. I think the handouts may be coming to an end.
Every evangelical Christian thinks the rapture is imminent, I agree. I'm beginning to think that most of the people who can be reached, have been.
My last 2 Bible Handouts, I saw a lot of overt hostility towards God. It was apparent they didn't care about me, but they had some major issues with Him.
I feel like I'm seeing more and more of this on every handout - people who completely reject God. In my early handouts, it felt more like they were rejecting me. "Get away from my car, you wierdo". "Go get a job and stop begging" - kind of energy.
Now it's OH, HIM! It's like I'm trying to offer violent porn to a rape victim. They are furious.
Now, I'll reiterate. No one is unkind to me. They just reject the Bible with a very forceful attitude.
I find it sad, but it's becoming more common.
I guess maybe the harvest is almost in.
5 comments:
With respect to the rapture, my personal beliefs are in line with Mark 13:32 ("But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (NASB). )I was always taught that, also in line with Scripture, we need to constantly be alert and to live our lives as good Christians on a daily basis, as we don't know when the rapture will come or when our own personal hour is up (death). Only the Father knows that. I think we also should make the most of our time here. God wants us to be responsible stewards of our lives at all times. I know I fall short of that, but it's a good measure to strive for.
I agree with you that there seems to be a climate of hostility towards religion. I can't determine the origin. For example, I wear a crucifix or some external sign of my faith every day. It's not a huge, honkin' crucifix; your'e on my facebook, so you've likely seen pictures. It's small and tasteful (but even if it were huge, that would be my right to wear it, and given some of the jewellery I see out there, a lot more tasteful than that, but I digress..). Most of the time, people don't seem to notice. Or, they glance at it and it barely registers, or might even remark that they like it. Part of this is because I live in a city that has a lot of Catholics. But, I have gotten chilly receptions too: people suddenly uneasy around me, acting differently, etc.
People also seem to be ok with the fact that I attend Mass (church), but they are not ok when I take it very seriously. Once I start going into "devout Catholic " territory, they get weirded out. I never push my faith on others, but will tell people if they ask. People were, for example, very exhasperated or found it a huge oddity that my fiance and I were insistent we be married in the Catholic faith.
I'm thinking also of Scripture, John 15:20; 18“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." Jesus goes on to say that no servant is greater than his Master. Think of how the world received Jesus. The world is receiving His followers the same.
It's sad how human nature does not change much.
We're fighting a big current and have to stick together.
People who reject the bible do not always reject God that is not fair to say. Well I guess in your mind it would be after reading your blog I imagine so.
Oh Jillian I read your comment! May I please say! It is not That folks who disagree are uneasy! Trust me I have tried to understand how seemingly brilliant people only see black or white! I have been to many evangelical churches and have hard core christian friends who say " we dont mind so much you are a " democrat" but really want to see you in heaven" i get snapped at from people if I say " Happy Holidays" instead of merry christmas? Seriosly feel bullied by religion, sufficated by ll of you only aving " one way the rightbway"
But I will shut up now because honestly
I know you can not help it, pease know I ave tremendous empathy and love for mankind and would give my life to save yours...your physical, mental, emotional...even stand quietly inn support of yours and all other people's prayers out of respect.
I frankly do not believe in the supernatural
But Heather you know I think younger remarkable, and wish you well
I know the way you feel
And I would die to defend your right to believe like you do please know I am a devout American
Ex-Icf:
Thank you for your response. Not all those who do not have beliefs are hostile, but it seems that there is a climate of hostility around those that choose to be religious and around religion in general. If you look at the secular news on any given day, it's there.
I am sorry that you have experienced ill treatment by Christians. Unfortunately, we are not perfect and not all Christians practice what they preach.
Please know that many, many brilliant people believe in more than we can see, and always have. Faith comes to the mightiest and the most humble!
Ps. Politics has little to do with it. Christians are of every, or no, political persuasion. I also am not American myself, but Canadian. :)
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