Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Acceptable Speech

I Corintians 13:1-3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Gentle readers,

In this surreal world of blogging and message boards, it easy to forget that there is a real person reading your thoughts and words - a real person with feelings and convictions all their own. You do not know what is going on in that other person's life at present or their background or their level of maturity in the faith. Words are so very powerful and can do great damage without the speaker (or typist) even being aware of the outcome.

If you have a differing opinion, it is fine to state such, but in a loving way. To call someone (especially a commentor on a blog, rather than the blogger herself) "inconsistent" or state that they are not "using their Bible to form their beliefs" is to resort to name calling. If one has such strong opinions as to feel the need to express their opinions in such a bold way, perhaps he or she should start their own blog in order to let their voice be heard. Such comments will not be allowed here as they are not gracious or edifying to the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:1-3
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Blessings and peace,
Calla LillyPosted by Picasa

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Then how do explain Jesus calling the Pharisees a "brood of vipers"? Would you not accept his speech if He posted His word to a Pharisee blogger online?

The only desire in my heart was to see the Lord Jesus Christ exalted above religion. I have nothing but love for the writer. If I didn't, I would not have said anything. Would a parent be wrong telling their child to make sure they are consistent in their beliefs? Would they be wrong to tell their child to make sure the Bible is what forms their beliefs and not the world? I think not.

Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and to aflict the comfortable. I take no joy in confrontation or the like. But my "bold" comment came from a heart passionate for Jesus Christ to recieve glory, and for people to love Him alone.

CallaLilly said...

Unless you are Jesus, without sin, or the parent of the commenter, you will not be allowed to call a commenter a "Pharisee" or a "brood of vipers", etc. on this blog. Again, if you feel passionate about the separation of Christianity and "churchianity" (as you put it), start your own blog.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Calla Lilly, Black. I am afraid I have had to humbly apologise a number of times on blogs for speaking my mind rather forcefully, it is not acceptable for us Christians. Jesus was perfect and knew the heart of God as His own. We as fallible humans can only say "there by the grace of God go I". Sometimes leaders of the church may find it necessary to rebuke their flock, but in private and lovingly. We are to encourage one another and exhort each other to do greater things under God, but never to undermine or to attack.

In addition, the Pharisees were the leaders of the day, they were leading the people of Isreal away from God. Jesus righteous anger was justified. He was their leader, appointed by God. Our anger or criticism is never. We can disagree with comments, but graciously and with good manners. Remembering that we Christians are all on the narrow road and that some are further along than others.

I just pray that I can remember that myself at all times when commenting on other's blogs or responding to comments on mine. And to remember that I don't know everything. Except that God is God and Jesus is Lord.

Sorry Calla Lilly, this is a rather long comment and I understand if you don't publish.
Blessings.

Anonymous said...

My only reason for using the comparison for Jesus and the Pharisees was not that I think I am in any way remotely close to being Jesus Christ, but that I am concerned for people who's pastors require a certain code of dress (not modesty but wearing "nice" clothes)to come worship Jesus. I again never once called the writer a viper. You misrepresented me in that.

Furthermore, if I in my flesh have made an offense to anyone, I am truly sorry and ask forgiveness. If the gospel or the word of God offended anyone, I can not apoligize for that.

I should have in the original post simply stated, "We have not one shred of Scripture that gives any credence to 'dressing up' when going to worship. Not one."

Trust me, I understand that only by the grace of God, I would go to Hell for eternity. I, with Paul, understand that I am the cheif of sinners. All I have, my friend, is God's grace. And it was by His grace in which I made the earlier comments. We are not told not to be angry, but "in our anger, not to sin".

You may not publish this, but that is between you and the Lord.


May the Father bless you and your family, and may He alone be glorified on this blog. May you have true intimacy with Jesus today. The Lord bless you in a special way today.