Final Words Addressed To ALL
It seems to me that I have done nothing other than inserted a stick into a hornet's nest with my last post. I was somewhat surprised by the amount of response I received through both email and as comments on my blog. I'd like to thank all of you who have replied for taking the time to do so.
Sometimes I think the truth hurts more than it heals. Maybe it's true; maybe it just takes more than the truth.
Wherever I go, it won't matter what I do or how I act, there will always be those who will judge me. I'm not one of those people who will ever fit into society - niether the society of the RPNA(General Meeting), nor of the world. And that seems, in the eyes of so many, to make me unacceptable.
I am who I am, and am not ashamed of that, nor of what I believe. I love my God first, and after Him I love my people, my clothing, my music, my artwork, my writing; and my choices in those and your opinions or previous definitions of who/what they are or mean should not define for you who I am.
It distresses me, however, at the hypocrisy in calling ourselves Christians, and being so willing to judge at the same time. Are we not commanded, "Judge not, lest ye be judged" (Matthew 7:1, also Luke 6:37)? And yet everywhere I turn, I see countless fingers pointing at countless others. Jesus said that he did not come to judge the world, but to save it, and as Christians, are we not supposed to strive to be like Him?
You may challenge me, and my acceptance of others, but remember, Christ sat at the same table as tax collectors and great sinners. I am not here to judge you, nor condemn you; and I am not here to judge or condemn anyone else. If there is something good to be appreciated about someone or something, then I shall say so.
I'd also like to say that at this point I am not going to hold theological discussions with anyone, as I am still going through the long process of reading the Bible to determine what's Truth and what is not in that which I have believed. I may or may not hold to beliefs which you, whoever you are, find acceptable. Regardless of that, I do not wish to talk to you about it, as no matter what I say, you're going to be right. In the numerous discussions I've had with people belonging to the RPNA(General Meeting), the greater majority have closed their minds and are not open for discussion or anything which might challenge what they believe - but are perfectly willing to challenge my beliefs. I am not going to name anyone specifically; I understand my statements of the RPNA(General Meeting) in an earlier post caused pain among some of you, and have no wish to further anything you may feel. I did not intend by my words to injure, and I apologize for doing so. There are many of you whom I do love and respect. My heart goes out to you all. I do not profess to be broken by the continued maintaining of your beliefs, as some have claimed of me; for I am made whole by Christ, and none can harm me through Him. I accept your brotherly and sisterly love and admonishments, but for now, I would ask that you save your admonishments for a time when we are a more accepting people, and then if you still so desired, claim what you will of me. I do not deny that I have been very guilty of the sin of judging in the past, and even recently, though I strive to be consistent and do what He would, especially in the matter, as I personally know how much it can hurt people.
This is the last I will say on this topic. You may respond as you wish, and I will be happy to post your comments - we are all entitled to our own opinions, and should have the freedom and ability to voice them - but I will not respond to those comments.
Sometimes I think the truth hurts more than it heals. Maybe it's true; maybe it just takes more than the truth.
Wherever I go, it won't matter what I do or how I act, there will always be those who will judge me. I'm not one of those people who will ever fit into society - niether the society of the RPNA(General Meeting), nor of the world. And that seems, in the eyes of so many, to make me unacceptable.
I am who I am, and am not ashamed of that, nor of what I believe. I love my God first, and after Him I love my people, my clothing, my music, my artwork, my writing; and my choices in those and your opinions or previous definitions of who/what they are or mean should not define for you who I am.
It distresses me, however, at the hypocrisy in calling ourselves Christians, and being so willing to judge at the same time. Are we not commanded, "Judge not, lest ye be judged" (Matthew 7:1, also Luke 6:37)? And yet everywhere I turn, I see countless fingers pointing at countless others. Jesus said that he did not come to judge the world, but to save it, and as Christians, are we not supposed to strive to be like Him?
You may challenge me, and my acceptance of others, but remember, Christ sat at the same table as tax collectors and great sinners. I am not here to judge you, nor condemn you; and I am not here to judge or condemn anyone else. If there is something good to be appreciated about someone or something, then I shall say so.
I'd also like to say that at this point I am not going to hold theological discussions with anyone, as I am still going through the long process of reading the Bible to determine what's Truth and what is not in that which I have believed. I may or may not hold to beliefs which you, whoever you are, find acceptable. Regardless of that, I do not wish to talk to you about it, as no matter what I say, you're going to be right. In the numerous discussions I've had with people belonging to the RPNA(General Meeting), the greater majority have closed their minds and are not open for discussion or anything which might challenge what they believe - but are perfectly willing to challenge my beliefs. I am not going to name anyone specifically; I understand my statements of the RPNA(General Meeting) in an earlier post caused pain among some of you, and have no wish to further anything you may feel. I did not intend by my words to injure, and I apologize for doing so. There are many of you whom I do love and respect. My heart goes out to you all. I do not profess to be broken by the continued maintaining of your beliefs, as some have claimed of me; for I am made whole by Christ, and none can harm me through Him. I accept your brotherly and sisterly love and admonishments, but for now, I would ask that you save your admonishments for a time when we are a more accepting people, and then if you still so desired, claim what you will of me. I do not deny that I have been very guilty of the sin of judging in the past, and even recently, though I strive to be consistent and do what He would, especially in the matter, as I personally know how much it can hurt people.
This is the last I will say on this topic. You may respond as you wish, and I will be happy to post your comments - we are all entitled to our own opinions, and should have the freedom and ability to voice them - but I will not respond to those comments.
