I've just watched a video by The Restored Church of God where a 'Improper Christian' was defined as someone who is wilfully or carelessly negligent and/or someone who nurses their favourite grudges.
Or, putting it another way, a 'Proper Christian' is one who persistently puts downward pressure on his or her own prejudices with a view to becoming ever more like Christ, and less prejudicial towards some people or groups of people (slower, and so more pertinently, to judge).
Or, putting it another way, as having no cherished prejudices, and being fanatical only about his or her deference, or obedience, to God out of understanding and respect.
Or, putting it yet another way, suspending judgment of others until one has walked 1,000 miles in their boots.
Can we sum this up as fully appreciating the meaning and value of the phrase "There, but for the grace of God, go I"?
If so, then I am such a person who belongs in this sub-group.
But, why shut out the unsure, but truly curious? -- or even 'Proper Muslims' (who deny only Christ's divinity (or do most Muslims deny more than just this)?
Why not shut out only those who might wish to come here purely to sneer (so as to avoid learning anything that might tempt them to become more interested in accepting the protection and guidance of our Saviour?
And, what other reasons might we have to act in support of this kind of barrier against the confused and/or unsure?
Or, putting it another way, a 'Proper Christian' is one who persistently puts downward pressure on his or her own prejudices with a view to becoming ever more like Christ, and less prejudicial towards some people or groups of people (slower, and so more pertinently, to judge).
Or, putting it another way, as having no cherished prejudices, and being fanatical only about his or her deference, or obedience, to God out of understanding and respect.
Or, putting it yet another way, suspending judgment of others until one has walked 1,000 miles in their boots.
Can we sum this up as fully appreciating the meaning and value of the phrase "There, but for the grace of God, go I"?
If so, then I am such a person who belongs in this sub-group.
But, why shut out the unsure, but truly curious? -- or even 'Proper Muslims' (who deny only Christ's divinity (or do most Muslims deny more than just this)?
Why not shut out only those who might wish to come here purely to sneer (so as to avoid learning anything that might tempt them to become more interested in accepting the protection and guidance of our Saviour?
And, what other reasons might we have to act in support of this kind of barrier against the confused and/or unsure?
