Christ Centered Gamer

So in the thread about the Episcopal Church I commented on an epiphany I experienced not long ago, and since I don't want to jack the thread, it'll go here.

There was a time, not long ago, when having someone question the authenticity of my claim to be a Christian (because of my membership in the LDS Church) would send me into an outraged, offended, angry fit. I see similar things happen to other people so I post this here in the hope that it'll be useful to somebody.

I started to examine what was really happening inside. Why was I outraged? Was I feeling insulted on behalf of the Church? Was I feeling like the ones questioning my belief could be right? Why did I react so strongly?

The answer was that I felt that I deserved better. I felt like I was entitled to have my assertion that I am a Christian taken seriously, and honored by everybody. Know what that is? That's ego. I felt entitled to that because it's a courtesy I generally pay to others. If a Jehovah's Witness calls himself a Christian, then fine. He's a Christian. I know some people question that but I don't, and I expected the same courtesy returned.

But as nice as that would have been, the simple fact is that I was being arrogant in assuming I deserved that from anybody. Plenty of people have been truly persecuted by others over their belief and here I was, whining because somebody said to me "you're not a real Christian." or "Your Church teaches heresy."

People have been imprisoned, killed, tortured and exiled for believing in things that were considered false doctrine by those around them. Am I better than they? Of course not.

And let's be honest... The only one whose judgement matters at all when it comes to the state of my spirit is Jesus Christ Himself. What others think matters not at all.

So now if someone says to me "You Mormons aren't real Christians!" I just shrug. Let them say that. People have a right to be wrong. I know what's in my heart, and I know the voice of my Creator. I know to Whom I pray, and I know Who my Savior is. That's Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who died on a cross for my sins and the sins of the world. The one, the only.

I care not who disagrees with that.

I totally agree with you, thanks for sharing! I believe that Christianity is ridiculed and rightfully so for being so divisive and for all of the bickering going on within the different denominations. We should be more united and celebrate the majors, have tolerance on the minor differences and in all things love. Who am I to judge someone's faith? Yes some fruits are visible, but faith is a personal matter between us and God.

ccgr wrote:I totally agree with you, thanks for sharing! I believe that Christianity is ridiculed and rightfully so for being so divisive and for all of the bickering going on within the different denominations. We should be more united and celebrate the majors, have tolerance on the minor differences and in all things love. Who am I to judge someone's faith? Yes some fruits are visible, but faith is a personal matter between us and God.

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I can add nothing else to anything these two said, except maybe this: Period!
Peace!

Thanks guys.

My only regret is not coming to this realization sooner.

As they say... hind sight is 20/20

The most important thing is to ACT like a Christian, and let the rest attend to itself.

ArcticFox wrote:The most important thing is to ACT like a Christian, and let the rest attend to itself.

Another way to put this, and it's my point of view, is if we follow Christ, study God's Word to 'renew our minds', and make the effort to 'bring the flesh under submission', then the rest is automatic. (Thanks to The Holy Spirit.)

I think there's much more to it than that. It also has a lot to do with how we treat others. Everything you said is true, I would just add that we have to set examples for others and try to emulate the Savior outwardly as well as inwardly.