another reason people don’t want to get to know GOD is they are afraid they'll become a fanatic.
often well meaning and misguided people tend to cause us to avoid GOD because of their fanaticism. here i would like you to meet four of them: (i wrote down some names of religious fanatics i've met):
freddy the pharisee. rigid, narrow minded, legalistic. he has a rule for everything. his favorite word is “don't”. some think, “will i become like that if i become a CHRISTian?”
susie self-righteous. holier than thou attitude, judgmental of others. her favorite phrase is “thank GOD i'm not like you!” am i going to become like that if i become a CHRISTian, if i get to know GOD?
billy bible-thumper. obnoxious, overzealous crusader. if it's alive he'll convert it. his favorite phrase: “turn or burn!”
pauline praise-alluia. she can't speak without religious cliches. everything is a miracle or the devil did it. her favorite phrase – she's got dozens of them: “believe... receive... praise the LORD... hallelujah...” am i going to become like that if i become a CHRISTian? put my brain on the shelf and become a kook?
the fact is john 10.10 (tev), i have come in order that you might have life – [not religion] life in all its fullness.
JESUS' harshest criticism went to religious fanatics. read matthew 23. HE couldn't stand them! HE said, “you guys are whited sepulchers. you strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.” GOD doesn't want to make you some fanatic.
just a thought from the front porch…
1 comment:
Bill,
very wise words. Great descriptions. I wasn't a Christian for a long time because of a few of these types.
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