Wednesday, June 02, 2004
I've been thinking lately about 'conservative' and 'liberal' Christians. It seems like the conservative Christians are always upset with the liberal Christians because they think they're too inclusive and permissive - speaking God's grace with little of God's judgment. The liberal Christians are upset with the conservatives for being too exclusive and insensitive - speaking God's judgment with little grace.
Then I began to think of the Body of Christ and how the Bible explains that the Body is made of all sorts of believers. Each of these believers have certain talents, gifts, and purposes within the body, yet each of them are used for building Christ's kingdom. All is used for His glory for those who love the Lord.
I also thought of John the Baptist (and other OT Prophets) who was a fiery voice of God's judgment and wrath, and this contrasts with the Apostle Paul who spoke a strong message of God's forgiveness and grace. Jesus was the King of Grace and Forgiveness, yet He also spoke of a time when the Lord will come to judge all.
It may be that, in the end, God uses all these voices to get his point accross.
Then I began to think of the Body of Christ and how the Bible explains that the Body is made of all sorts of believers. Each of these believers have certain talents, gifts, and purposes within the body, yet each of them are used for building Christ's kingdom. All is used for His glory for those who love the Lord.
I also thought of John the Baptist (and other OT Prophets) who was a fiery voice of God's judgment and wrath, and this contrasts with the Apostle Paul who spoke a strong message of God's forgiveness and grace. Jesus was the King of Grace and Forgiveness, yet He also spoke of a time when the Lord will come to judge all.
It may be that, in the end, God uses all these voices to get his point accross.
