Little Boxes

I've been reminded of that corny old song a few times recently. The year 7 science class is studying methods of classification. Now classification would have to be one of the most basic human traits. Our brains are highly specialised in pattern matching. Whilst useful in understanding the world around us and our place in it, it can also mislead to the point of finding patterns that are not there such as in deja vu.

The Christian is not immune either. Recently, a well meaning person (not from this church) sent me some tracts espousing anti-catholic, pre-millenial, King James only dogma. Whilst I have various views on each subject, to categorise people as either a "a carnal Christian", non-Christian, anti-Christ or simply persona non-gratis based on their belief or other-wise of any of these dogma, is I believe against both the teaching and spirit of Christ. I would rather be known as a Christian that "receives sinners and eats with them". Trusting you are the same.

----xxxXxxx----
Mt.6:12 "Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us"
Jhn.7:24 "Judge not by external appearance, but by true standards"
Rom.14:14 "Stop judging. Ensure that you don't cause another to stumble"
Lk.6:37 "Judge not lest you be judged...forgive and you will be forgiven"
1 Cor.4:5 "Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes"
Gal.6:1 "If a man falters...restore him in meekness...lest you are tempted"
Lk.15:2 "This man receives sinners and eats with them

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pentecost - from “Why?” to “Why not?”

One of the greatest inhibitors to personal and church growth is the FUD factor (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt). After the horror of Christ’s crucifixion, the incredulity then ecstasy of His resurrection and His times of sharing with His disciples, Jesus ascended to heaven. What did the disciples feel then? I’m sure they must have felt very “flat” after their mountain-top experiences, and probably uncertainty and doubts crept in - “ What do we do now?” , “ Why has He left us like this?” . In many ways, these phases in the birth of The Church mirror the phases in the birth and growth of our children. The teenage years are times of much questioning, of moving out from under the sheltering presence of parents, to discover one’s directions and goals in the ‘real’ world - these are the “Why?” years. Then the young adult blossoms, the world is at their feet and they are prepared to take on anything, with courage and determination. Just as parents must hold back in order to release thei...
Read more

The Trumpet of Salvation

In this past week, we have heard the trumpet call to remembrance of the Armistice and of the men and women who gave their lives in the defense of our country. Trumpets played a prominent role in Old Testament life. In rural civil life, it sounded the alarm of impending attack, calling the people together to close ranks, with a common purpose of defense. In religious life, the silver trumpet (shofar) announced special assemblies, feasts and holy days. Then in the month of ‘Tishri’ (October), a rams horn ‘shofar’ was blown to announce the ‘new year’ and to summon the nation to a week of spiritual preparation for the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). The ram’s horn was a reminder of God’s provision of the substitutionary lamb for Abraham to sacrifice instead of Isaac ( Gen.22 ). The week of preparation involves self-examination, repentance and putting-right, but it is God who provides “atonement” (wiping out of the debt). In the New Testament, the trumpet is rarely mentioned. T...
Read more

Faith is a Oneway Ticket

1995 Back in '95, my younger brother developed a brain tumor. One day in his last weeks, his wife was beside his bed in Wesley Hospital in Brisbane. A girl friend arrived to visit and comfort my sister-in-law. At the end of the evening visiting hours, my sister-in-law said to her friend, " I'm afraid I'm not up to driving home. Would you mind driving? " " Of course dear. " said her friend. " I only bought a one-way train ticket ". At home, after a cup of tea, my sister-in-law, almost in tears, said to her friend, " I don't think I can bear being alone in this house to night. Would you mind staying over? ". " Of course! " said her friend. " I've got  nightie and toothbrush in my handbag! ".  Even angels sometimes travel by train (one way). 1939 In the 1930's a Chelsea church conducted a tent mission on the foreshore at Frankston, about 10km south, on the eastern coast of Port Philip Bay. From that missio...
Read more