My heart breaks for the church and how it so easily becomes a house divided against itself. When we are jealous FOR someone our motives move from personal pride to concern and care for the other individual. Being jealous for someone brings unity. Unity is the exact opposite of carnal jealousy. In unity we are looking out for the needs of others as well as our own. Read: Psalm 133, Ephesians 4:1-7, and Romans 8:31
I learned of the new Rob Bell book Love Wins at church one Saturday night a while back. I only told my husband and family of the following thoughts that night. But I have decided it is time to share them with others. The main reason is because it is sad how quick to judge Christians are and that is very much NOT the heart of God.
Here are my thoughts from that night I posted on Fb:
So sad to me when we jump to judge without full awareness of details. I am sure we all have done it before but still sad. Time and a read of the book will tell if the judgment was on target or not. But personally think it just rude ; ) Sonya Feb28I want to urge and encourage every person who calls themselves a follower of Christ to KNOW who he is and what he says in the Bible. Test everything against the Living and active word of God written in the Bible.
I have not read the book yet, but the fruit of his other books and DVD does not line up with what he is being accused of. Yes, people change but that is not always in a negative fashion. I have been in a bible study and this past week we have been talking about letting the mind of Christ work in our minds.
Beth Moore points out: We need some divine revelation in our human encounters. Here is the major catch: if we don't know God's Word, we have no way of knowing if what we are sensing is from God or from our own human natures.
As a young child my grandparents and parents instilled with the help of God that if I have not heard, listen, read, or been a firsthand account of a situation then it is best not to judge AT ALL. It is really sad to me to see and hear how many people I have come in contact with over the last month or so have so hatefully judge this book and worse the person of Rob Bell. They attacked his character, beliefs, church, and Christ very flippantly and very fast. It was a rumor, gossip, and they never even read the book yet.
It would do Christians well to learn what God has to say about judging others. I also think it is interesting that Rob Bell has not retaliated against any of the critics or harsh judgments that I have seen.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:2
Now that the book has come out...I am going to read it and see how it lines up with the word of God.
Food for thought from this blog I read:
Grace for the Moment,
Sonya
