In the past few months, as I grow deeper in my #Faith, I've seen the same comment posted on my wall and replying to many of my comments:
At first, I was a little bit taken back because I didn't think I was being rude or callous at all (for those who actually know me, would know that this is just the way I talk). But after awhile (and several comments later) I decided to explore why I'm not sounding very "Christ-like".
I immersed myself into the pages in #TheBible to try and find that "winning tone" that'll win non believers over. After weeks of searching, I've come to a conclusion:
To change my tone and carefully pick a more favorable attitude would be the LEAST Christ-Like I could be.
We live in an very #Effeminate society here in the 2000s. If you look at all the commercials, Hollywood, churches, teachers, etc... you'll see this "attack on men". Not just ANY man, but a "MAN'S man". Some would categorize them as an #AlphaMale. I personally don't like using that term because it has such a negative condensation to it which actually proves my point. Our society has gone soft. Every single thing is offensive to the offended. A person can't even disagree without offending the opposite view. And this is very dangerous, not just to our society, but our #Faith as well. There's no better example than looking at #America's version of #JesusChrist Himself. We've made Jesus this blond-haired, blue-eyed, fare-skinned, effeminate soy boy when in reality, He was nothing of the sort. First, He was a Son of a carpenter. Which means He would have been carpeting with His father (Joseph), most likely having calloused hands and broad shoulders. But this speaks of Jesus's physical attributes. Thats not what I want to point out. When Jesus started His ministry, he was #BOLD and #Unapologetic. He never hugged or apologized for His actions. A great example was when He saw people selling goods for sacrificing in the #Temple; turning over tables and whipping the salesmen. We know that Jesus did this AT LEAST once. He MAY very well did this a number of times. He didn't go in the Temple, see the salesmen defiling His Father's house and gave hugs and politely ask the salesmen to sell their goods outside. Not at all! He brought the hammer down! Another good example was when He'd confront the #Pharisees in their #Hypocrisy. Jesus didn't sit them down at a coffeeshop and try and explain to them where they are going wrong. Quite the opposite. He would call them a "brood of vipers" and other nasty names at that time. What makes Jesus unique, is that, at times, when He was in the right to stone a woman or condemn a tax collector, He showed #Mercy. Jesus was not a blond-haired, blue-eyed Ken doll. He wasn't good looking or have any attributes to gravitate to. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him. He was a rough, gruff man who stayed true to His Word and was unapologetic. With THESE attributes, am I NOT acting Christ-like when I speak/post/comment? I need to make this clear, I am NOT where I need to be when it comes to being the #FollowerOfJesusChrist that #TheLord is molding me into. This is a journey that I'm currently walking in. I'm better today than I was yesterday and ill be better tomorrow than I am today (#God willing). And finally, when it comes to being more "Christ-like" in OTHER people's eyes (which is usually from people who ARENT #Christians), to change my tone, attitude and passion would be to change how God made me. We are all made by His image, which makes us all unique. To try and change that would be like me telling God that He was wrong in the way He made me. Now, should I stay where I am right now? Absolutely not! But, I have a tone a passion and an attitude which probably isn't NEAR as passionate or have even close of a hard tone as #Peter, #Paul, #David, #Elijah etc. One of my favorite people that I had the pleasure of having a deep relationship with was Joe Oliver. He was a type of father-figure to me and really helped me when I was down on my luck, spiritually and financially. Joe LOVED Christ and had a heart of gold. But what differentiated Joe from others was that he was a rough and brash man at times. That was just how he was made. He had a "rough around the edges" type of mentality. He was a man. He was a good man. And he loved The Lord our God with all his heart, soul and mind. He was a dear mentor and I can't wait to see him again in #Heaven. I'm sure many people thought he wasn't being Christ-like, but he didn't care, because the people around him knew his heart and knew how he loved The Lord. We all have different personalities. Some are rough, others are soft. We can all strive to being more Christ-like, but we need to know who and how Jesus was in everyday fashion. Lets get rid of this belief that our God, Jesus, was effeminate, but was every bit a man; a blameless, spotless man. He loves us dearly but, if living in sin and doing things that are outside of His purpose for you, He would send down the wrath of Judgement. He is merciful, but Hes also JUST. Lets not forget the second part of that... He. Is. JUST! I hope this post find you well and hope that we can all hope to be more Christ-like in our lives. Amen.
References:
•Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love. -1 Corinthians 16:13-14
•He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. -Isaiah 53:2
•You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. -Matthew 12:34