Dwight Whitsett writes a blog called “Whitticisms.” Not too long ago, he suggested that Christians have long been our own worst enemies. There have been real and terrible persecutions of the church, and those continue in many parts of the world today. But outside persecution often leads to the growth of the church—the Roman Empire and modern day
- History: People doing horrible things in the name of Christ. The world of observers, not knowing any better, makes uninformed assessments and forms terrible opinions of Christianity.
- Televangelists: Money-grubbing, high-living, charlatans and false teachers giving religion in general and Christianity in particular a bad rap (1 Timothy 6:3-5).
- Division and Infighting: People who should be loving each other and thus proving to be disciples (John 13:35) fighting and slinging mud in the most unloving ways. Dividing into yet another denomination over the slightest perceived doctrinal error, we assist the world in its dismissal and unbelief (John 17:20-23).
It’s hard to argue with his assessment that “We are our own worst enemy.” But what do we do about it? Maybe we need to recommit ourselves to living the quiet and peaceable lives for which Paul teaches us to pray (1 Tim 2:2). Before we can really invite people to Christianity we have to demonstrate to them that it works?
5 comments:
We are called on as soldiers to be soldiers 24/7. We are always on call. We have to be prepared to represent our country at a moments notice. We get judged by the world at a higher standard than most. You know where I am going with this. We having been talking alot lately here about being Christians 24/7 aswell. How often is the phrase, "I'm a Christian" slung through the mud by our actions outside the church. I literally had someone in my office on Sunday curse the name of God and His Son, only to end His sentence by saying, "Well, I'll just have to fix it when I get back from Church." Our own hypcocracy and lack of accountability for ourselves has never shed a good impression to the world. Bottom line: Saying your a Christian and living as a Christian are two very different things.
Hello charles, With many of the branches of the military there is a common practice of cursing and ‘calling on the Lord’ during difficult times. There is also a need to be vigilant on Sundays. Taking turns to study.
Being lower on the ‘totem pole’ I get to see and hear much that those above me on the chain do not. I have seen a lot of bad and some very good things, I like to dwell on the good and get the bad out of sight as quick as I can. I have seen a number people who are abusive many of them get drunk curse and pretend to be members of this or that church, as I over heard one say, he was a member of “the church of the Holy Ghost”. I was never that familiar with him but I hope to see him in heaven. Many of them are dead of such things as liver and kidney failure, massive heart attacks and cancer. I hope they will not be in that place of punishment reserved for those who do evil and those who are claiming to be casting out demons in the name of the Lord while they are in reality using his name in vain as there work is indignity.
. . . yes it is true Christians are held up to the light like an egg to a candle. The world is watching to see if we are of them. Are we God’s adopted children? To whom will conform? Will we allow ourselves to be destroyed and cast into the compost heap with the rest of the discarded refuse, were the worm never dies but continuously devours and makes room for more.
Hey Tuck, I appreciate the reprint of my article. The name is Whitsett but, not to worry, I have been called far worse. Congratulations on your long tenure at Denbigh...wonderful! dwhitsett.wordpress.com and check out our ministry site: missionsouthpacific.wordpress.com
Thanks, Dwight. Sorry about the misspelling; I think I have it right now.
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