One Side
I’m listening hard and trying to pull it all together. I think I understand the fear pretty well and the anger too. I hate manipulation so I need to state clearly my intent before I offer any further comment. I hope to help you expand your thinking while at the same time expanding my own. My reasons for attempting this are numerous and probably go much deeper than even I am aware of. I’ve got to ask you to examine what I think I see so far and tell me if and where I miss the mark.
You clearly see the hypocrisy (which I believe is inherent in all mankind) but you can’t accept it. You have bravely confronted those hypocrites in the hope they will understand and correct their way or at least offer some reasonable explanation for their obviously contradictory philosophy. Having done what you believe is best by exposing them to themselves you were rewarded with condemnation and “rebuked” for your efforts. For every argument they offer you clearly show them their folly and still they reject you. This leaves you in a terrible position because you refuse to “join in” and there seems to be no hope of ever being accepted anywhere or of ever finding anyone you can accept. I’m sure there’s so much more but so far this is what I’ve deduced. Is this close to the truth?
I will offer my own foolishness now in the hope it might be useful on your journey in some way. I have been unable to find a single person who totally believes me. I have accepted that my beliefs are mine alone and that I alone am responsible for what I believe. I have accepted that I “know” very little but I “suspect” very much to be true. I have accepted that if I am responsible for my own beliefs I must grant others the right to their beliefs. I have tried to give up my negative approach to understanding and instead to try and see how things might fit if I were to accept the beliefs of others. This effort has helped me to understand and accept others while maintaining my own integrity. I have found I am much happier when my critical thinking is pointed toward myself. I happily offer my considerations with the full expectation of being blasted off the planet but in return I am rewarded with insight on myself. I am rarely disappointed that way. I cannot accept injustice but I know I am unjust. I am not perfect nor is the world around me yet I will accept nothing less. I accept this will require great patience and I expect I will not reach perfection nor see it in this life but even this will not prevent me from striving to reach my goal.
Your own words have been turned on you so many times and it seems no one wants to even try to understand what you’re saying. It seems that way because it is that way. This is the rule, but there are exceptions. You have a lifetime to find them but they won’t be obvious and always hidden behind the rule. I believe the whole Truth has many sides and to see it will require many perspectives. Try to see them all.
Labels: Devotion, Emotions/Relationship, Theology
offered by Kc | 8/03/2006 03:28:00 AM
17 Comments:
Kc, is this written for a specific person? Regardless, it's a well-put plea including much love, forgiveness, understanding, compassion, and selflessness for someone to look at things from a diffferent perspective.
Wouldn't it be great if we all had the time, ability, and understanding to think things through this thoroughly before opening our big mouths and just causing more trouble!
KC, I hope that one day I can attain the level of maturity and open-mindedness you have described here. So often we assume that because we are "right" it gives us license to treat those who are "wrong" in a despicable manner.
I am learning that being right with the wrong attitude is about as bad as being wrong.
Gordon, I love that last statement. I'm going to repost it, giving you credit, if you don't mind! Wow! That totally struck me--so concise and so true.
I just dig you KC
Do you ever feel like these partial lyrics? and I have no idea why I thought of them reading your post.
I look beyond the empty cross
Forgetting what my life has cost
And wipe away the crimson stains
And dull the nails that still remains
More and more I need you now,
I owe you more each passing hour
The battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago
So steal my heart and take the pain
And wash the feet and cleanse my pride
Take the selfish, take the weak,
And all the things I cannot hide
Take the beauty, take my tears
The sin and soaked heart and make it yours
Take my world all apart
Take it now, take it now
And serve the ones that I despise
Speak the words I can't deny
Watch the world I used to love
Fall to dust and thrown away
I look beyond the empty cross
Forgetting what my life has cost
So wipe away the crimson stains
And dull the nails that still remain
So steal my heart and take the pain
Take the selfish, take the weak
And all the things I cannot hide
Take the beauty, take my tears
Take my world apart, take my world apart
I pray, I pray, I pray
Take my world apart
Its part of a song by Jars of Clay called worlds apart......
Anyway I am curious and oh dear am I off subject again, I am really not it loops for me:) guess I am loopy
Take care and love now just in case a double decker bus crashes into you later..but thats a whole other song
Kristi it was to a specific person who was discouraged over doctrinal discord. I hoped it might be helpful to others.
Gordon I want to strive more to do right than to be right too.
Mrs. Zeke I think ur2kewl4skewl!
Yes, I love Jars of Clay and loopiness too (grin). I laughed out loud when I read your admonition but I will heed it just the same! ;-)
I understand KC, you know I really do. We both know that three things remain and we know which one is the greatest.
If we can all remember that we, just as the first Adam, desire knowledge of good and evil. No one is good but God, but I think having the desire to know both clouds our minds to really, really know who our Creator is.
You said: "My reasons for attempting this are numerous and probably go much 'deeper than even I am aware of'."
We both consider each other friends even though we have never met in person. We have emailed each other in concern and for prayer.
What I am about to say, I say publicly and you can say I'm wrong publicly, we have never discussed this before in private or public; I thing we both know in our spirits what each other is wanting to say in regards to what we believe. I know I can communicate with you and you with me most all of the time regardless of the words or outlines we use. Why is this? I think because we have been made to drink of one Spirit. But words or other communication efforts fail us to help others understand what we know in our spirit to be true( i didn't say mind, i said spirit). Why do others not understand everything we are saying? Do they not drink from the same Spirit? Some sadly do not. Some have the Spirit but have their mind set on the flesh and cannot hear. But many have not been open to hear what is being said, because they don't want to turn loose of the comfort zone of their own beliefs even though those beliefs are in their mind and not what is in their spirit. But if any of us state our beliefs with the boldness and power of the Spirit it can't help but come across as arrogant to some who aren't open to hear it. Just ask Stephen and others who were martyrd. I didn't say boldness not rudeness, that seems to be a problem with debates alot of times. Does that make sense?
I know I am arrogant I know I need mercy and grace to. The rub with each of us is how do we communicate with boldness, truths we believe with all our heart, without the risk of sounding arrogant to some and therefore being condemned and talked down to about what we believe. Do we give up or do we run with patience and gentleness but with boldness like Paul not quenching the fire of grace and truth that our spirit cries out to proclaim?
anyway I ramble my brother, but I know we both drink from the same Spirit and therefore we both know in our spirit even though words cannot express it sometimes.
(he he)That cracked me up. Did you study Psychology?
KC,
What are you trying to do here?
I think that is a great letter. There are so many wise words in it. Is this an email you sent to someone ... someone I know? It seems like it is. It made me think of a specific person when I read it.
I must say, KC, that I totally relate to the person to/for/about whom this is written.
And if that person thinks he or she gets shot down a lot for what he or she believes...try being a "Baptism for the forgiveness of sins" kinda guy.
I know I am wrong about a lot of things, doctrinally speaking. But even with all the cool phrases and terminology and what-not given to me to show me the error of my ways, I have yet to be convinced that the Bible teaches something else. And for that, yeah, I catch some flack. (I guess I'm a youthful 41 year old who is as stuck in his ways as an ol' fogey!)
On a side note: Because of the wonderful interactions I have had with some really great people in other denominations, I have been more open to considering the perspectives of others. I even try to argue their side of an argument with people who believe the way I do, just so I can better understand the other perspective.
(Now that is a fun excercise!)
The first two paragraphs seemed like they were catered to me.
I agree with some, but I disagree with other stuff: (lol, as this is exactly what you are talking about!)
You say:
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I have accepted that my beliefs are mine alone and that I alone am responsible for what I believe. I have accepted that I “know” very little but I “suspect” very much to be true.
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You have either subscribed to the postmodernistic view of "belief" or you are being self-effacing, or both.
belief, faith, is much more then "suspecting". Belief = certainty, persuasion, conviction, being convinced of something.
If you only merely suspect, than you are only disposed toward, and not believing.
Also,
truth does have perspectives, sometimes many facets. BUT, don't count on it! Sometimes truth is but ONE-sided!
And then, "perspectives" or "sides" to truth need to be qualified by other statements. These words leave the door open to subjectivity and relativity.
You say
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"I... try and see how things might fit if I were to accept the beliefs of others. This effort has helped me to understand and accept others while maintaining my own integrity."
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There is nothing wrong with putting yourself in someone else's shoes, or look through their spectacles. I do believe that it can help you understand them. I don't know what you mean by "accepting others"; if you mean accept their beliefs as valid if they differ from your own convictions, I think you couldn't be more wrong.
Men and women are content to stay blissfully ignorant and/or stubborn in their beliefs. Thing is that these beliefs have repercussions on those who hold them and those in whom he is in relation to.
Rather than contenting me, trying to understand others through the lens of their beliefs saddens me, motivates me, often frustrates me.
Often, when I see the willfulness of their erroroneous beliefs, it somewhat angers me.
Antonio
Hey you know what brother. I re- read this and you know...I am sorry I think you were being serious here. I am soo sorry. Sometimes I don't know how to take you and I thought that you were kinda charicaturing in sorta a fun way, but when I re-read it, I kinda saw a serious side, I hope I didn't offend you by laughing.
To some of you here...I think we need tolet go of that mental telepathy thingy...in one sense I think we can all benefit from this letter.
By serious I mean...I guess it Kinda has a ring of Vincent by Don Mclean to it. Sorry. Actually without realizing it as I read it so quick last night ...like I said, I thought it to be...hey guy, Sorry.
May the Lord be with you.
Kris, I know exactly what you mean and yes, we totally agree in spirit. I love you brother.
Brian, I’m a husband and father so I study psychology every day! (grin) I’m actually glad you found it humorous and I think we might share in that tendency to find humor in irony. I also think your association of this attitude with that of Van Gogh is actually quite thoughtful and indicative of those deep reflections I’ve already accused you of having. May God bless you to continue in that dear brother. ;-)
Rose, dear sister your tag will be my next post and I apologize for being slow to respond. I always appreciate your kind and encouraging words and I think they make a great difference for many in bloggerville, myself included.
This reply was made to a dear brother over a year ago but as Brian eluded, with his reference to Van Gogh, the subject seems to resonate with many. I think we all become frustrated at times.
Jeff, I’ve already mentioned that it seems God is blessing you in many ways and your willingness to share in your understanding and consider the understanding of others is a blessing to me. We may not agree concerning baptism but we agree it is important. As time permits I too would love the opportunity to wrestle with you on the subject but even more I desire your prayers that we all might have a full understanding of God’s will in our life and the grace to accomplish it. ;-)
Alina, that love is reciprocal and in no small measure. That sweet spirit that Kris spoke of is so clearly prevalent in you and your love for the brethren is obvious. I have knowledge in you that I am not alone in my ambition to be as close to our Father as is possible in this life through our dear Savior and Lord, Jesus. May God bless you sweet sister.
Antonio, I can easily understand why you would relate with this situation. One of the qualities that I love in you is your love for the Truth but it is that same quality that endears to me those who oppose my beliefs as well.
I suppose my attitude is somewhat self-effacing but I see that as a necessity by virtue of humility. My hope is to reflect the attitude that I “know” nothing but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
We agree concerning belief but beliefs can be, and as you point out, often should be changed whereas the Truth never will. I do not believe that the Truth is subjective but I am persuaded that beliefs are and quite often they are altered by nothing more than a different perspective on the Truth. This is not to say the original beliefs were necessarily or completely false, but rather incomplete or partially in error. If I am to hope that others consider their beliefs then I am beholden to do likewise, as per the Golden Rule. Given the nature of relationships it may be necessary that I reconsider the same things continually. This will require much patience and understanding.
I hope to be able to accept others in the same way that Christ, our example, accepts us; in our sin, imperfect and in need. I am not responsible for what others believe but I will most certainly give account for how and if I loved them. I know a great part of that love is centered on sharing my understanding and God has blessed you greatly to be able to do that. I also know your anger is nothing short of being a reflection of the hurt you feel when the Truth is rejected but He assured us that would be so and we should expect it. We cannot allow that to divert us from the Great Commandments of love and I can only think it would be foolish to believe we have fulfilled those commands. I would not have anyone be content in anyway, only patient and persistent. I love you brother. ;-)
Phew...thanks for releasing me on the laughter part:-)
I am so glad you see that our understandings are incomplete; yet we do believe in the same truth of Sola Fide. This may be confusing to Antonio; but it confused me a couple of months ago when Antonio basically said the same things about having misconceptions about the Person of Christ.
KC brother you blogging has been so helpful to me in growing in an understanding of patience and what I like about you is that you regard the concerns of others in an unsanctimonious way.
In one sense your blogging has helped me to look at the angle and the background through which others came to Christ.
I kinda knew that this was not a directed letter specifically and I kind of wondered at you referance of "my reasons for doing this are numerous." as I remember the ol' Susan fiasco that actually helped unlock a lot of prejudices within me and I can tell are breaking through in others.
Good dialogue going on here. In the end, love is always the answer. If anything is done in love, it is going to be ok.
Yeah!
It's going to be ok soon :)
Brian, no problem on the release. I seem to remember needing one myself (grin).
CS thanks so much and Amen! ;-)
Audrey lieve zus, Amen! God voorziet in al onze behoeften! (God sees to all our needs) ;-)
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