Thursday, January 31, 2013

I’m A Christian And I’m Sorry: An Open Letter to Those Wounded By The Body Of Christ PART 3


Please start with the IntroductionPart 1 and Part 2

PART 3

To the martyrs and saints who have gone before Us, yes, I am a Christian and I’m sorry that We’ve seemingly forgotten the legacy that you intended to leave behind. We’ve forsaken even the slightest possibility of persecution and traded it in for conformity and comfort. We know not what you endured outside of topical reading and fond recollections in sermons. We teach Our children about you and what you did for the cause of Christ but then encourage them to never ruffle feathers or ever go against the grain. We dishonor you by living lives of silence and secret. I choose to remember what you did Stephen. I choose to meditate on your death and how you were full of the Spirit until you breathed your last breath. As you I choose to keep my gaze on Christ and off of the coming persecutions of this world, even those that will and already have come, from the mouths of those Who claim to follow my Jesus.

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Hebrews 11:35-38Others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.

Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

To the other nations that We’ve proudly invaded and eradicated in the name of global peace and our own safety, yes, I am a Christian and I’m sorry that We feel the need to play the role of God throughout the entire globe for our own personal expansion. Wars waged in God’s name produce financial gain and flex global muscle and might for this nation whilst pilfering the lives of our (and your) sons and daughters. We call it patriotism and giving the “enemy” what they have coming to them as well as coming to your aid, even if you don’t desire it. Bible verses that state phrases like “be strong and courageous” have been misconstrued to justify carrying out military agendas in natural strengths. In fact though, such verses are speaking of spiritual might and valor not earthly gain. We’ve sworn our allegiance to a flag instead of to the teachings of Jesus, Our one true King. This nation is not God’s favorite and I don’t expect you to look to Us to be your role model. I understand that biblically, global peace is not in the future of any of the kingdoms of men. Wars and rumors of wars will continue to affect us all until this age comes to an end. That being said, I will choose to lay down any vengeful, wrath-induced desires to eradicate you from existence that may want to rise up within my flesh, induced by patriotic “rights” that I’ve been led to believe I must execute at any cost. You too are created from dust as I, held together by God’s hand. Only His lovingkindness and mercy can save either of us.

1 Thessalonians 5:13-22 “Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”

To the illegal aliens of this nation, yes, I am a Christian and I’m sorry that We have treated you as though you’re not welcome here. We double-speak as we revel in the arrival of past generations to this land of freedom yet we despise you and (especially) your children in our schools. I’m sorry We forget that you are created in God’s image as We are yet We treat you as a lowly detriment to our society. I choose to be more concerned with whether or not you personally know Jesus Christ than I am for paying for your health care. I will take steps to get to know you when given the opportunity, despite our differences and cultural discrepancies. Jesus recognizes no races and creeds.

Romans 12:16 “Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”

Matthew 25:40 Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.

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