One day a few years ago I was a substitute at a local high school. I was subbing in the ISS (In School Suspension) class. Everyone was done with their work so I allowed them to talk to me. An interesting class discussion ensued. We started talking about who determines values, what's right and wrong. One of the kids said, "I do. I determine it for my life." I said, "OK, then does that apply for me and my life." He said, "yes." I then replied, "well then, if I decide you don't deserve to live and take you out that's OK because I decided it was OK." He replied, "well no...." Then others chimed in and the consensus came to be that whatever the majority thought was what determined values, right and wrong. So I said, "OK then if we as a group decide that blonde's have no reason to live and take them out then that's OK because we decided it as group." The students replied, "well no...,"and became silent. Then one boy who had been quiet the whole time spoke up and said, "God decides, the Bible tells us what our values should be and what's right and wrong." I said, "exactly!" And then that started a whole discussion about God, Jesus, and the Bible which I loved!
When I was at Catalyst one of my 2x4 moments was a reminder of the memory I just shared. One of the speakers said, "I don't worry about who is for me or who is against me and neither should you. Just be sure that you are on God's side."
Such simple words and yet so profound to me. I often find myself worrying about what others think, worrying about who likes me and doesn't like me. And yet God says, "Don't do that! You just make sure you are on my side." We just need to focus on living for God and not worry about others and their thoughts and judgments about us. God decides what's right and wrong. God decides what our values are. And If we are following him, then what others say or do should be irrelevant to us. Be on God's side and that's all that matters!!!
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Ok, I believe what you say 100% but how do you know for certain that you are doing what God wants you to. I know you take your actions and put them up against God's word and if they are in line with one another then you are doing God's will. But what happens if you have misinterpreted God's word or you have gotten some wrong guidance about what God's word says. Now you believe you are following what God says but you are still wrong, what then?
ReplyDeleteWell first of all I think the basics of Christianity are pretty plain: Jesus is our Savior,Love God, Love others. Who can argue with that. People get into trouble when they take specific social matters or secondary Biblical thoughts and try to form a foundational belief out of them instead of on what should be the true foundation. You are right in that sincerety doesn't save us or make us right. Hold fast to the foundation. Be open to the fringe. And do your best to walk with God and when you mess up repent, get right, and continue on.
ReplyDeleteI think that you have to continue to go back to God's Word and prayerfully seek what is aligned with His will. You're correct that the basics of Christian living are fairly well established, but a lot of people do crazy things in the name of their god (not the true God) in this day and age. Where other religions and cultures draw their beliefs from other sources than the Bible can lead to pretty messed up interpretations of right and wrong.
ReplyDeletewell said. I'm talking about that Wed. Night.
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