What do you believe?
A woman called the other day to ask about my ministry.
Note: I am a minister with a small wedding chapel.
After asking the name of my church, she asked,
“Do you believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Lord
and Savior?�
“I am sorry you asked me that,� I said. “You are checking me out.�
“Yes, I am checking you out. Why are you sorry?�
“Because what you just did does not come from Jesus.�
“What do you mean?�
“Jesus nowhere in the gospel says you should judge others by
WHAT they believe.�
“I believe he does. Faith is all important!�
“You will not find that in the gospel. May I ask YOU a question?�
“Okay,: she said, after a pause.
“Where does your faith come from?�
“Whaddya mean, where does it come from?�
“Is it something you deserve or earned?�
“Well, no.�
“Is it something you reasoned to or achieved by yourself?�
“Well, no.�
“Does it come from God?�
“Of course!�
“Is it a gift of God? Something you could not obtain on your own
merits?:
“Well, yes.�
“Well, are you taking a gift of God and judging me by God’s gift, which
you could not earn or deserve?�
“So? I think I have the right to do that. We Christians have the right
and responsibility to judge others.�
“Really? Where do you find that in the Bible?�
“Lots of places. I will look it up and tell you.�
“Please do. Now if you really wanted to know whether or not I am a follower
of Jesus, there is another question you could ask.�
“What is that?� She replied, now curious.
“What have you done lately out of love of God and love of neighbor?�
(Silence. In the pause I wondered if this was the “teachable moment?� Then I thought “Risk it, only God knows.�)
I continued, “ Did Jesus say we are to be judged by HOW we behaved, how we love?
“Yes, I guess so.�
“Did he say we will be judged by how we treat the least of our brethren.�
“Who are the least of YOUR brethren?� she asked. I thought I detected a note of sarcasm.
“Well, I am sure you know the passage.�
“Well (pause) which passage?�
“Please look up the gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, verses 36 and following.�
“What is there?� She asked.
“This is where the Lord of heaven tells us how he will separate the sheep from the goats.�
“Of course I know that passage!� She added quickly. “Thank you for your LESSON!� Now there was a definite note of hostility.
“I said, “You are welcome! God bless you.�
She hung up.
Note: I am a minister with a small wedding chapel.
After asking the name of my church, she asked,
“Do you believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Lord
and Savior?�
“I am sorry you asked me that,� I said. “You are checking me out.�
“Yes, I am checking you out. Why are you sorry?�
“Because what you just did does not come from Jesus.�
“What do you mean?�
“Jesus nowhere in the gospel says you should judge others by
WHAT they believe.�
“I believe he does. Faith is all important!�
“You will not find that in the gospel. May I ask YOU a question?�
“Okay,: she said, after a pause.
“Where does your faith come from?�
“Whaddya mean, where does it come from?�
“Is it something you deserve or earned?�
“Well, no.�
“Is it something you reasoned to or achieved by yourself?�
“Well, no.�
“Does it come from God?�
“Of course!�
“Is it a gift of God? Something you could not obtain on your own
merits?:
“Well, yes.�
“Well, are you taking a gift of God and judging me by God’s gift, which
you could not earn or deserve?�
“So? I think I have the right to do that. We Christians have the right
and responsibility to judge others.�
“Really? Where do you find that in the Bible?�
“Lots of places. I will look it up and tell you.�
“Please do. Now if you really wanted to know whether or not I am a follower
of Jesus, there is another question you could ask.�
“What is that?� She replied, now curious.
“What have you done lately out of love of God and love of neighbor?�
(Silence. In the pause I wondered if this was the “teachable moment?� Then I thought “Risk it, only God knows.�)
I continued, “ Did Jesus say we are to be judged by HOW we behaved, how we love?
“Yes, I guess so.�
“Did he say we will be judged by how we treat the least of our brethren.�
“Who are the least of YOUR brethren?� she asked. I thought I detected a note of sarcasm.
“Well, I am sure you know the passage.�
“Well (pause) which passage?�
“Please look up the gospel of Matthew, chapter 25, verses 36 and following.�
“What is there?� She asked.
“This is where the Lord of heaven tells us how he will separate the sheep from the goats.�
“Of course I know that passage!� She added quickly. “Thank you for your LESSON!� Now there was a definite note of hostility.
“I said, “You are welcome! God bless you.�
She hung up.
posted by Paschal Baute at 4:08 AM
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