something that offends me as a new Christian! :(

[ladybug1980]

This even offended me somehow before I realized that I was a Christian, but here it is.

I get offended easily (but no one has done this to me, I just know that this is a fact out there in the world) when I hear of non-Christians saying, "Oh, so Christians believe that non-Christians go to hell, right?" or "Christians believe that anyone who doesn't believe in the Son of God is d@mned to hell for eternity" and when they say these things, they are just so angry at these believers.

But they don't even realize that the real direction of their anger and hatred is toward Jesus! By spewing out their venom and anger toward Christians who believe this, they are actually hating Christ and they don't even realize it. Christians don't just believe certain things about Christ because they formed the beliefs, they believe it because Jesus said these things. But non-Christians won't have any of that and will insist that he was this "nice guy" and simply a "moral teacher" who was "crucified for no reason" other than trying to "change the Jewish religion" or something. How misinformed some people are!:scratch:They would insist that it was not Jesus making these divine claims about himself but it was concocted among Bible writers later on in the next century and that it is a pack of lies etc. Why would people write the Gospels, knowing it is a lie and be willingly persecuted for it unless they recanted? Also, why would Jesus be ultimately crucified if he was simply a "nice guy" and "moral teacher"? There were many people who were crucified back then; and Jesus would not have made this kind of history (as opposed to the hundreds of others crucified) if there wasn't something totally "outrageous" (in the eyes of the people back then) that he claimed about himself, and did.

It just irks me, when folks think "Oh Christians believe this, Christians consign everyone else to hell," etc. when it was JESUS who made these claims of exclusivity about himself. Their frustration is with Jesus and they don't even realize it.

I then think of another thing: let's just SUPPOSE (and I just mean suppose - I'm not suggesting it to be reality) that these divine claims about himself were some sort of myth. If so, why is it such an abhorrent, hateful, repulsive thought for Jesus TO be a Savior for the world? What is it about Jesus being Savior that bursts some people's bubbles? It's as if they don't want to accept that humans are innately sinful creatures (as am I) and that we do need a Savior. We're not good enough to save ourselves, but maybe some people insist that they are? I don't know.

[jawsmetroid]

We don't want to be subject to the authority of another. And we certainly don't want to admit we're wrong. Nevermind admit that we need saving. That's the simple answer.

(I got over 1000 posts! YAHOOOOO!!!)

[ephraimanesti]

I just know that this is a fact out there in the world) when I hear of non-Christians saying, "Oh, so Christians believe that non-Christians go to hell, right?" or "Christians believe that anyone who doesn't believe in the Son of God is d@mned to hell for eternity" and when they say these things, they are just so angry at these believers.

It just irks me, when folks think "Oh Christians believe this, Christians consign everyone else to hell," etc. when it was JESUS who made these claims of exclusivity about himself. Their frustration is with Jesus and they don't even realize it.

What is it about Jesus being Savior that bursts some people's bubbles? It's as if they don't want to accept that humans are innately sinful creatures (as am I) and that we do need a Savior. We're not good enough to save ourselves, but maybe some people insist that they are? I don't know.

MY DEAR SISTER,

The problem for the world with accepting Jesus for Who and What He is lies in the fact that sinners do not want to forsake their sinning--all the "fun" in their worldly lives--and be Born Again into a new--REAL--life. They prefer the illusionary "happiness" that the world offers over the REAL happiness that God offers freely through Jesus Christ because the world does not demand that they change but simply continue what they are doing, while God, on the other hand, demands that they be "Born Again" into a new life.

i believe that everyone who has heard the Gospel knows deep down in their hearts that it is the TRUTH but they are unwilling to admit this--even to themselves--because to admit their sinfulness and need to turn from the world to God would demand changes of them--in their thinking and acting--which they are not willing to make. For this reason, they are willing to deny reality even to the point of placing themselves in a position of eternal damnation by refusing to repent and surrender themselves to the Love of our Lord Jesus.

This process of denying reality consists of both attacking Jesus Himself, claiming He is (was!) at best a "good man" or a "great teacher" or simply a "deluded fool"--anything but the Son of God and Savior of the World--and also, at the same time, attacking His followers--Christians--as "intolerant bigots" or "weak fools" who are "unable to stand on their own two feet and require a crutch to get through life." Either way, they convince themselves of the falsity of Christian claims and the absurdity of the Christian life--being separate from the world which they love so much. Light is painful to eyes used to darkness!

Soooo . . . when you run across expressions of these negative feelings and accusations, perhaps it is better to pray for the individual(s) who are expressing them rather than to react with anger because anger expressed by Christians when attacked is just taken by unbelievers as "proof" of the "truth" of the accusations made against Christians and their Lord.

MAY YOU BE BLESSED!

A BOND-SLAVE OF CHRIST,
ephraim

[twistedsketch]

I get offended easily (but no one has done this to me, I just know that this is a fact out there in the world) when I hear of non-Christians saying, "Oh, so Christians believe that non-Christians go to hell, right?" or "Christians believe that anyone who doesn't believe in the Son of God is d@mned to hell for eternity" and when they say these things, they are just so angry at these believers.

But they don't even realize that the real direction of their anger and hatred is toward Jesus! By spewing out their venom and anger toward Christians who believe this, they are actually hating Christ and they don't even realize it. Christians don't just believe certain things about Christ because they formed the beliefs, they believe it because Jesus said these things. But non-Christians won't have any of that and will insist that he was this "nice guy" and simply a "moral teacher" who was "crucified for no reason" other than trying to "change the Jewish religion" or something. How misinformed some people are!:scratch:They would insist that it was not Jesus making these divine claims about himself but it was concocted among Bible writers later on in the next century and that it is a pack of lies etc. Why would people write the Gospels, knowing it is a lie and be willingly persecuted for it unless they recanted? Also, why would Jesus be ultimately crucified if he was simply a "nice guy" and "moral teacher"? There were many people who were crucified back then; and Jesus would not have made this kind of history (as opposed to the hundreds of others crucified) if there wasn't something totally "outrageous" (in the eyes of the people back then) that he claimed about himself, and did.

It just irks me, when folks think "Oh Christians believe this, Christians consign everyone else to hell," etc. when it was JESUS who made these claims of exclusivity about himself. Their frustration is with Jesus and they don't even realize it.
What is worse than that is some Christians listen to that and decide to change the faith. They fail to realize that it is the faith itself that is offensive to the people you are talking about, not just Christian jerks who interpret it wrongly. Some of those people do exist, but many of the so-called offensive teachings are not their fault - they are the teachings of God, of Christ. When Christians fail to realize that, they pervert their own faith into something that cannot stand up to scrutiny, let alone save a soul. The truth is just that, the truth. There can be no substitute for it. God is not what a lot of people want Him to be - He is far better than anything they could expect or imagine. There are some hard teachings, but this is a hard reality we live in. And that makes God's mercy all the more grand.

[Ishida]

I don't blame them with all the false teachers and the other religions.(false...) I don't get offended, I just hope to clear up misinformation, but if only I knew more.. And many a time, hate of Christianity is because of "Christians"..

[Johnnz]

Tennyson wrote

"For the love of God is broader than the limits of mans' mind,
And the heart of the Almighty is most wondrously kind

John
NZ

[MoNiCa4316]

Hi :)

I agree with the other posters here....

Our natural selves are sinful, and proud...and don't want to hear about a Saviour. Instead, we'd rather be self sufficient...that's what the 'fall' was all about, people rejected God's love and power and wanted to be their own masters. We who are saved are 'new creations', and our old desires are being transformed...we begin to live for God, not for ourselves, and we start feeling thankful for salvation because we realize how much we need it. But those who have not accepted Christ are still living in this 'darkness' and don't understand these spiritual truths without the Holy Spirit.

I certainly understand your frustration, having experienced it myself...yet I always have to keep on reminding myself that once I was in that same position. There was a time when I was an unbeliever, and an enemy of Christ, yet by His love I was saved. This was a real humility lesson for me. I guess all that we can do is pray for them and show them how great God is, and maybe one day they will see Him as we do...I know it seems like these non Christians are saying something against Christ, and in fact maybe that is indeed the case...but since they have not been 'born again', it's not a surprise. As hard as it is, it's important to love them and be patient, and pray that God would work in their lives. :)

God bless.


monica