What happens is that Jesus Christ is still my savior dude. Just because i dont conform to societies ideal look and behavior for a christian doesnt mean i am not one. Just because i talk like a hippy sometimes or a country bumkin at times doesnt mean im not educated. The Lord has completely taken my life over and changed my whole attitude towards everything even rude people and people that question my Christianity i am not religious i am a Christ Follower Jesus is my life and the center of my world. I have personally witnessed His power with being delivered from situations and His Fathers powers of how he will defeat the enemy. I would happily loose my life for our Lord , I look forward to the day i meet our Father in heaven. Why does the music and the bearded lady bother you? Do i not have the right to have a sense of humor? Brother i have been through a horrible life until this past year, very dark times and the only things that got me through was the Lord, laughing and my music. Yes i am a metal head, now when i listen to my Christian metal when i feel angry i end up praying for deliverance from my anger. I am not smoking anymore which causes further anger problems since i have been smoking since i was 13 i am now 27. you do the math im tired. I suggest that before you question someones Christianity you might get to know that person first. I wear a lot of black because i am heavy and scared of people so in a way it is my way of hiding. But the Lord is also dealing with me on that. Plus on the other side i never called you a fool, you did irritate me because you questioned my faith without knowing me. thank you for not judging even thought it seems like it. Honestly i take evrything serious its hard for me to relax and have fun anymore when other people are around. God has his own way with working with each individual person.
Irreverence in the church does bother me, you as a person do not. I know that we all have our own testimonies. Would you mind if I shared part of mine with you?
For various reasons, I went out of the way of following Christ in college. When I tried to find my way back to Him during my sophomore year, I started attending various college churches. What I found were churches that talked about Christ in the service, but not outside unless
youbrought Him up first. Besides this, they spent all their time on Christianized parties (without Christ...just no vulgarity, etc.), pancake breakfasts, coffee houses, random charities activities (Like that "End-it!" slavery thing) and ungodly chatter.
I did not find my way back to Christ in college. In fact, I was in a fraternity that glorified sex and alcohol and I was never called out on it by the churches I went to, even though I needed to be. I did not find my way back until I joined the military and even then, I had to deal with many churches and Christians who seemed to think that God doesn't care if they are mostly absorbed in the world.
Here are some verses on this:
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness"
2Timothy 2:15-16
"Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world." 1John 2:15-16
"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4
I'm not trying to get you to conform to be the same person who I am or the people I'm around. However, I
firmly believe that we all need to strive to conform to the standard that is Jesus Christ. When we are absorbed in the world, we start to become more and more detached from the the person and the work of Jesus Christ. There was a hymn we used to sing that said "Keep your mind on things eternal".
Do you know all the different types of Christians I call brothers and sisters? I have Italians, Africans, white folk, black folk, and Hispanics in my church. I would never call someone out on an issue that is purely cultural unless their culture seems to be interfering with the work of God. That is what I am questioning you on, friend and I would like to keep in mind that I said "questioning". I am not saying that I am 100% right, no doubts about it. That's why I am glad that you respond so we can discuss my "concerns". And whether I am wrong or right, I hope we can both grow from this discussion.
I'm glad that you do take my questioning seriously. I'm not questioning on if you are Christian or not, what I am questioning is your methodology. My first post said "your testimony concerns me because it
sounds like...."
Please do not take my approaching you as a sign that I am your enemy. There are many people on this site who would have said nothing to you. Indeed there are many right now who have chimed in to defend your stance without offering any advice to you or to me. I'm sure these people have never fully considered this verse:
"Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching." 2Timothy 4:2
I hope I am able to show my self as patient and loving and I apologize if I do come across as anything else. I'm just trying to be straight with you, friend.
