we're all just human, aren't we?

[Christ_empowered]

Ever notice how people are hyper-critical of Christians? Sometimes, even other Christians are hyper-critical of fellow Christians. Its crazy.

Anyway, I was talking to my older, wiser, Pentecostal friend last night, and I realized...she's human, just like me. I mean, granted, she's an awesome Christian and she's taught me a lot and helped me through a lot, but...we're all just human. That goes for the PCUSA church I grew up in, too, the one that failed my family and (I think) did damage to my parents' faith. Happens. We're only human.

But...if there is no perfect church....no perfect Christians...how do we still discern what is best? And...why do some people discern differently, yet we're all Christian? One Christian may love a mega church, while I personally think of them as the McDonald's of Christianity, at least right now. Who's right and who's wrong? How do we know?

And, keeping human frailty in mind, how do we judge Christian ministries? For example, at 24-25 I went to Teen Challenge. Great for me. 12 months with other deviant dudes, working, reading The Bible, praying, going to churches around Georgia...good times, honestly. But, they're not perfect. The one I went to was good enough, no big deal, but I did see some abuse of power and some dope fiend maneuvers out of both the men there for help and those on staff. Some Teen Challenge programs are superb, some have had problems with abuse and embezzlement. How should I judge a program that helped me, but hasn't helped a lot of people, and may have damaged some people? To be fair, a lot of people these days are at TC instead of jail or prison. Should I compare TC to their alternatives to judge or discern fairly?

Rambling again, lol. I think now that I'm back in touch w/ good ole Reality, the nuances of everyday life are hitting me. Its a good thing, especially since it means I'm maturing and growing up (at long last), but...yeah...just something I had on my mind. Thanks

 

[reba]

Yup we are just human... nice post

 

[evenifigoalone]

Blaming others is easier than taking responsibility.

 

[Blake]

Yup. Just human.

All my righteousness is in Jesus. His blood is my only plea. His cross is every bit of my goodness.

I learned from the Orthodox people to, when I find myself judging my brother, reflect on my own sinful state.

We will never find perfect Christians or a perfect church. But we are all engaged in a perfect process, under the guidance of a perfect Spirit, proceeding from the perfect Father, who sent His perfect Son. Amen.

 

[Kenny_ms]

As you say we are all human and it's good to see you question others and their opinion on things. Seeing some people as more than human and to stop realizing no one is above having their views questioned can cause real problems (Jim Jones is one of a million examples)

When we realize we are no better but as good as the next person, we also may realize, all those "How do we?" things you mention are probably best left up to you to answer in the end, not us or anyone else because we are all only human. Ask questions, but you have made it fairly clear to me, you have the good sense to draw the best conclusion on those things yourself along with he that is within you.

Ever notice how people are hyper-critical of Christians?

And that will always happen. It's a defense mechanism and something a Christian shouldn't worry about. Not always, as there are some very understanding non Christians out there, but in general people can tend to dump on others about their faults/shortcomings/beliefs in order to feel better about where they are at. Let me edit once again just to say, sometimes that reaction is out of fear of where they are at, a battle within and really has nothing to do with the christian they are being critical of.

A good Psychologist could explain that in depth if I didn't do such a good job.

 

[Christ_empowered]

yeah...its like, I used to put my older, wiser Pentecostal friend on a pedastal. Then she started saying certain things, and I realized: yup, she's human. Just like me, lol.

So, that raises questions, like how will I live my life from now on? I mean, yes; The Bible is the ultimate authority, true, But how does that play out in each persons life, in my own life? What do I think/believe is God's will for my life? Does He even have a specific plan for me, or is He much more accomodating than that?

And...it raises issues on other topics, too. My non-believer shrink says I should move out on parents' dime and go gay again. Clearly, I disagree. But, wait; I'm a patient. If he's dead wrong about morality, can I trust his diagnoses all that much? Can I really trust secular mental health as a whole? I think I'm going to reject "mentally ill" as part of my self-identification from now on. I know that seems minor, but...when you're "crazy," you have to agree that you're "crazy," and the particular sort of "crazy" the "experts" call you. So, I'm labeled Bipolar. My ex-shrink says its Schizophrenia. The Bible says to do what the authorities tell you to, but what if your authorities want to re-zombify you and get you into the gay community? Ugh.

Back to Christianity...my people sometimes go to a mega church. I think the mega church is dangerous, because of OSAS and some sermons that bordered on blasphemous. I've begun to see not only what I dislike about the mega church, but also why I think my parents go there now and then, and both insights scare me a bit.

Ramble ramble...gotta get my Liberty U on.

 

[Mike S]

But...if there is no perfect church....no perfect Christians...how do we still discern what is best? And...why do some people discern differently, yet we're all Christian? One Christian may love a mega church, while I personally think of them as the McDonald's of Christianity, at least right now.

Yes, we're all human. And, we're each at a different point in our journey to becoming fully righteous with God. God meets us at the point of our needs and guides us in our "going on to perfection." We must be humbly sensitive to the fact that we're all different, and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

 

[Blake]

Yes, we're all human. And, we're each at a different point in our journey to becoming fully righteous with God. God meets us at the point of our needs and guides us in our "going on to perfection." We must be humbly sensitive to the fact that we're all different, and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling.

The truth bomb just got dropped!

I've learned not to see fellow Christians for where I think they fail. When I do, I think of the numerous places where I fail, make excuses for my brothers and sisters, and think of all the the places they're ahead of me. It drives people crazy sometimes I admit, but it's what's best for me spiritually (as a sufferer of pride). "Blake, can you believe brother such and such did this and that?" "Well I have a wandering eye and I've been a glutton since I was nine." Cricket sounds. Change of subject. Lol!

I have certain fruits and gifts which are abundant, and others which are barely budding at all. What I love about that is that we all have ways in which we can build one another up, and in which we can be built up.

 

[Kenny_ms]

New yeah...its like, I used to put my older, wiser Pentecostal friend on a pedastal. Then she started saying certain things, and I realized: yup, she's human. Just like me, lol.

Bingo!

We must be humbly sensitive to the fact that we're all different, and work out our own salvation with fear and trembling

Once again...Bingo!

I have a few things in my life now that tend to go against what I'm taught in the bible (tend) yet I have no real choice and until God makes a way for me to change that, I just have to go with it. When I make decisions like that. the fear and trembling verse is very pertinent. We can only do our best and we should be careful it really is our best.

 

[Kenny_ms]

I've learned not to see fellow Christians for where I think they fail. When I do, I think of the numerous places where I fail, make excuses for my brothers and sisters, and think of all the the places they're ahead of me. It drives people crazy sometimes I admit, but it's what's best for me spiritually (as a sufferer of pride). "Blake, can you believe brother such and such did this and that?" "Well I have a wandering eye and I've been a glutton since I was nine." Cricket sounds. Change of subject. Lol!

Blake, do what you need to do, as I'm sure you will view things as best fits your needs. I get exactly what you are saying and I do that too.

But don't be too hard on yourself. From what you posted on this thread, you have been through some pretty tough times and that can take it's toll. We all react to bad things in different ways but sometimes all they are is reactions and not so much us falling short.