fear of man.

i was thinking about how eager i get to share good music with friends- how i massively (and illegally) send songs to all my friends that might enjoy it. and it's the same with good food, or a good movie, or close friend that we want to introduce to another close friend. any pleasant experience we have, we naturally feel the desire to share it. and in these situations, i am not discouraged, or caused to question my identity, or feel insecure and rejected when they don't accept it like i do.

i realize it's because these things ultimately do not define me. and in this sense it helps me understand the fear that arises when i want to share Christ, because He gives me my identity. and because its a matter of life and death, rejection means a lot more in sharing the gospel than in sharing a good song. yet, regardless of this fear, it remains that we are compelled to share these things because they stir us up. good things are meant to be shared, and when we like something, we want others to be able to enjoy it too. "IT MUST BE MADE KNOWN." that's my natural reaction to things that excite me. so where is this fervor for the gospel?

the fear. the crippling fear of man. we think Christians need to remain "relevant" in this day and age, to stay politically correct and we scorn those who step on other people's feet in the name of Jesus, thinking they are misrepresenting the love of God.
i'm still not sure, but Jesus stepped on feet wherever he went. the task of balancing gentleness and love without compromising the integrity of God and our faith in Him is a tall one to be sure, but we cannot be afraid of persecution. sometimes these things just become excuses for us to avoid persecution as Christians, but do you realize that it's a part of our calling? we shouldn't be out there trying to piss people off and feel content with causing and feeding a hatred toward God wherever we go, but likewise we shouldn't be trying so hard to please people. moreover, we should be concerned with the very fact that there is a rebellious hatred toward God around us, and we should act in hopes of shedding light onto that darkness. we are to serve people, but the service of utmost importance is to share with them the gospel, whether they receive or not.

so why do we work to gain approval from the eyes of man at the cost of our integrity before God? do we really fear the opinions of man more than the truth of God? to dignify ourselves to the world means to reject the things of God, because Christ was rejected in this world all the same and has called us to turn from the patterns of this world and to follow, to imitate Christ. and to imitate Christ means fellowship, but it also means persecution. a sense of authority, which first requires full obedience and surrender. and ultimately, love that is completely externalized and directed outward, not inwardly toward ourselves. peter rejoiced and praised God after he faced a kind of persecution that makes our simple encounters of rejection seem so trivial. why are we so worried about what a stranger thinks of us? they don't throw stones or spit on us, throw us in jail or.. crucify us. what or whom shall we fear?


...The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear!?!?

to own a dragon

the process of facing your demons is hardly enjoyable, but it heals. and that's all i ask.