It doesn't matter if you are still in TEC or out - if you stand for Biblical teaching you will be on the bad end of name calling. Maybe you've been called a "fundamentalist" (in TEC-talk, that means ignoramus). You've likely been called "homophobe" (in TEC-talk, that means mentally ill). Then there's my personal favorite, "Nazi." That's right - if you don't agree with the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, you obviously want to murder millions of people.
In last Sunday's Gospel, our Lord told us, "Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account." (Matthew 5:11). It is a high compliment to be called names IF we are speaking and acting "on Christ's account."
Yesterday, my morning reading included Titus 2:15, "...exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you." Other translations use words like despise, slight, question - in other words, "When you are speaking up for Jesus, let no one beat you down with dehumanizing, personal attacks."
It is important that we support one another. Paul's letters to Timothy and Titus are worth reading. They are full of affirmation for Christians in hostile environments. May such sacred writings encourage us and teach us to encourage one another.
3 comments:
Un-Godly behavior is also found in life in general. If you reject the name-callers, you are a target. If you grew up in a family and didn't "follow in their footsteps" as far as obscessive gambling over-drinking, drugs, rages without reason, beating, etc., and you choose not to participate in the same actions, you are following God's will. Your family will resent (even hate) you. Why? You all know this - it is because your family sees that you recognize their behavior as wrong and you are now the black sheep... name-calling again. Same as if you walked away from a physical fight that somebody was provoking, or when you do not gossip when someone gossips to you(such as the the work-place and *gasp* among parishoners). When somebody gossips to you, who knows, they also be bearing false witness!)
To my favorite person: thanks for the encouragement, and the references to read those particular sacred writings.
From your favorite gal, Melissa
This is good counsel, Father. I recently read both Titus and the 2 leters to Timothy and was amazed by how much they encouraged me. I guess I shouldn't have been amazed, because God's Word always ministers to me, but they were just so perfect to my needs at that moment!
I've been called all those things and more. It is important to never take this kind of attack personally. We should always remember who we are in Jesus Christ and how precious we are to God, having been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus. Remember too that God honors us by giving us gifts of service to His Son and to His apostles in the Church today. When you are called names, look for an immediate way to serve God in Christ. Satan just hates this!
Thank God!! There is Orthodoxy in SD!
I am a native-born South Dakotan, now living in Seattle. It has been my understanding that the Diocese of SD has acceded to the TEC apostasy (though certainly not as much as the Diocese of Olympia!)
It brought tears of joy to me to read your BLOG and find that People of God are still to be found in SD.
God bless you and those who heed your godly words.
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