Where is the line between jokes that are appropriate and not? If I am offended by a joke about homosexuality or races does that mean that I simply have no sense of humor? What is the difference between telling these types of jokes in front of kids or in front of adults? Are we not supposed to be consistent in our lives and what we say we belief in our faith?
People are people. We are all flawed and when it comes down to us working together to address our failures it gets messy. Pride comes in and points out the differences between planks and specks. Or is it really a form of legalism to point out something that doesn’t quite seem to jive with our faith?
People are people. We are all flawed and when it comes down to us working together to address our failures it gets messy. Pride comes in and points out the differences between planks and specks. Or is it really a form of legalism to point out something that doesn’t quite seem to jive with our faith?
I have been accused of being hyper-sensitive to what I’d call sin or grey things that I would say are not in line with being Christ-like. The purposed reason as to why I am hyper-sensitive is because of my own personal struggles. Am I, in trying to find out how to live authentically in the world yet foremost for the glory of God being set apart from what’s perceived as normal, actually becoming Pharisaical?
2 comments:
good question kyle. this is my take on it from what i get form scriptures.there are completely some absolutes that the bible is VERY clear on. no worshiping other gods, on murder, no lying etc. then there are these gray areas. those are the areas that we as believers glean from scripture from Jesus' words, stories and the happenings in the other peoples lives in the bible. in these are wiggle room for interpretation, or as we call it, leading by the Holy Spirit.as a person grows closer to the Lord more of His light shines on us and the more we see that we can never measure up, but even in that He gives us hope NOT to give up the good fight! as this happens the Holy Spirit pricks and prods at our hearts, as He sees fit. that is because He is working in your lives individually. as you are convicted in an area, and you begin to see the sin that is having light shed on it, you are accountable for that. the one who knows what to do and does not do it, is as sin to him. now that said, there are gray areas that i will go 'round and 'round about with other believers because i feel that we as christians are under a microscope in this world, and we need to be "set apart" so that they may know. if our actions are that of the world around us, what makes us different? most everyone i "hang out" with know where i draw the line, and they know that if you want to be around me and my family that when you are around us, that line applies to you also. if you don't like it, don't come around me, that simple. i will answer for my actions and what i allow to come into my home and inner circle, not them. if you are feeling a conviction about something, it doesn't mean everyone else is too. it does mean that when they are around you you have the right and the duty to tell them. if they choose to bail on you, so be it. i have many friends who do not celebrate Christmas or Easter, not my thing, but i respect them and i don't send them a Christmas card or talk about the holidays with them. and in turn they don't push that conviction on me. that is a gray area. my parents always asked "what hill are we willing to die on?" pick your battles, but when you do, don't lean down to get the water, bring it to you! God Bless you guys. love the nortons
I read your post and I think you are not off in feeling the way you do.
Ephesians 5:3-5 says, "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God."
Psalm 24:3-5 says, "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.
It sounds like you are being attacked for being too conservative and easily offended. Realize that the Bible is clear in these areas and that the people who are offending you are wrong. Even if they feel it is their right it is their obligation from the Gospel to step down from these things when it offends a brother. Ultimately they are in the wrong. Also coarse and inappropriate joking is said to be something that is not of God’s Holy people. From the outside looking in it seems that you face a bunch of "Christians" who want to use their liberty in Christ to do as they please and this is wrong. It also sounds like they have conformed to the world which is a clear command in the Bible.
Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
1 Peter 1:14 "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance."
We are called to confront sin and challenge those who are conforming around us. The Bible is clear however that we will fall under attack when we do these things. Ultimately Satan is happy with those people being in a half hearted state because they can do no real good for the kingdom of God. When you try and show them he is going to be upset and throw things at you. It isn’t legalism and it isn’t saying that you are perfect. What it is saying is that as the Body of Christ these things should not be said of us or counted as one of our characteristics. You to some extent are sensitive to the areas of your own struggle but how many men who share the struggle say nothing? If anything you are being the most bold and brave to face your sin and challenge the body of Christ to a higher standard to help all those who struggle in the same area.
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