I notice that folks like to get into little enclaves and hock and spit on Christianity, and as Christians, Black Chiristians with a knowledge of self, we understand their anger, and not with a "turn the other cheek, diplomacy,
but with a true understanding of how some people of all religions, used the religion for their own personal gain, rather then respect the actual core truths, like a person using fire for arson, rather then use it to cook food to feed the hungry, and defenseless.
But say one word, or even question their belief systems, or their street scholars, then like Malcolm said, it's "good night nurse", and they have put you on their **** list to be lynched into perpetuity!!!
You pose an excellent question. Here is what I have observed, and I speak as a Christian. People who are insecure in their beliefs, meaning they do not know the tenets of their faith (christians included) and are not diligent in seeking out the true knowledge from within their faith (not the external, but the internal) are the quickest to be defensive. From my perspective, it is like as it is explained in Matthew 9, where Jesus was sitting with tax collectors and sinners, and the religious leaders of the day, who were supposed to be helping people, were criticizing Jesus for being available to help others. What I have noticed is that most other Christians I have run into tend to act like the Pharisees, too busy being dignified to help as though they have arrived at holiness, when the truth is that reaching the point of righteousness is a continual journey. We have issues every day of our lives, and we do much better when we help others, even when we have issues, than to act as though we have no issues. So when Jesus told the dignified Pharisees that the righteous need no physician, only the sick, he was being satirical. The Pharisees were as sin-sick as the people they were criticizing, but wanted to revel in the false "dignity" of their position.
For me, this is definitely awarning against having false pride, especially to the point where I am acting as though I strong when I stil have weaknesses. Many Christians never learn this tenet of faith called humility to its full extent. As a Christian, I realize that I never will reach a point where I "arrive", but even in my imperfected state, I am well equipped to help others, as long as I stay connected to the Creator.
To the others who do not share my faith or agree, I respect your position.
I am not at all into fanaticism at all, and I am glad to have learned that fanaticism is not a true tenet of Christianity. Christianity requires authenticity in personal living, but many people imitate modern day Pharisees, religious leaders who are experts in acting dignified. I've resisted this notion many years ago when I noticed that such false dignity only breeds more sin-sicknesses in a church that cause people to despise it, such as backbiting and gossip, obviously two of the more visible among the many sin-sicknesses that there are.
I am not yet above reproach myself. I'm a former fornicator who has to fight against the lustfulness it produced. I earned this fight by falling in love with the wrong women and by having the willingness to do the wrong things to prove my love to them when they insisted on being hard-hearted. That doesn't make them evil, it just proves that I was foolish. So I fight against that every day, and the attacks of lust donot let up. So if you happen to meet me and catch me saying to myself, "I cancel this thought in the name of Jesus," I'm not being religious. I'm acknowledging that a suggestion is being placed into my mind trying to take me to old familiar places that I no longer want to go, because I know the end result of that kind of foolishness. What keeps me going is a redirected focus and desire, one which the bible blesses, to find my "Ruth," a wife worthy of marriage, one who is not only virtuous, committed, and partnership-minded, but one that is also diligent and hard-working. Any other focus for my desire would be considered unholy by God. A sexual desire by itself is not unholy, but if I do not control it and keep that desire from controlling me, that's when I become sinful. For those Christians who do not agree, I suggest you read the Song of Solomon, which is the origin of many love song lyrics. Sex is God's idea, not Hollywood's, and He set the guidelines for it. So even though I have that in my past, it makes no difference on how much I can help someone. I just have to use my past to be wise so that my past will not repeat itself.
As far asbeing challenged about my belief, I do not have any problems there. I know about what racists claiming to have the same faith as I have done. Just because they were false, such a past in Christianity does not tarnish the possibility of me finding God through Christianity, any more thanif such was done in Islam or Buddhism. I know there are racists who continue to claim to have the same faith as I do. There are many black Christians who would relentlessly hold onto many of the twisted beliefs, or counterfeit convictions as I have learned to call them. what does that have to do with me? what does that have to do with my choice of my relationship with God. Absolutely nothing. So in essence, you are not really challenging me.
As I have said, I do not have a religion. Christianity is my faith and my lifestyle, and I am looking every day to improve my walk, my life, and my self through living true Christianity.
Amen brother
