Strange Encounters of the Christian Kind

I can't help it.  Some things are just blogworthy.

In my experience as of late, I'm rapidly discovering that many professing Christians have ZERO inclination to even surfacely speak of biblical matters, much less undertake serious and meaningful discourse on the Scriptures.  I find this to be most disheartening because as the redeemed people of God, we are called to contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15), and to be ready in and out of season to preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2).  I have a feeling those passages mean that we should contend for the faith, make a defense for the hope that is in us and preach the word in and out of season.

So why don't Christians do this?  I have no idea.  Perhaps some don't know the Word of God as they should.  Perhaps they fear rejection by others.  I'm sure there are a lot of excuses, but the fact is, we need to get over ourselves and come to grips with the fact that to follow Christ is to be on the narrow road.  Be ready for the hatred that will no doubt come - if they hated Christ, they will hate us. (John 15:18). 

That said, I wanted to share the following Facebook message exchange which took place last week between me and a guy I know in real life.  We used to attend the same church, but really don't interact much anymore.  It's pretty self-explanatory, but here's the set up.  My friend, John Doe, had posted on his wall a short video of a very interesting looking, large, gnarly tree.  The wind was blowing through the branches, and it was just a neat thing to view.  Someone posted a comment about it being a "burning bush" moment.  And John Doe replied, "It was for me."  Another commentor said something like, "we need to be listening because we never know when God is speaking."  I replied with, "We can know EXACTLY when God is speaking because He's *already* spoken in his Word.  Read it.  Study it. Live it."  A couple of days later, my comment was gone.  I then posted on JD's wall asking him why he deleted my comment.   A few days later THAT post was gone.  I then sent him a private message, of which the entirety of the conversation follows:


Hi John Doe,

It seems an odd thing to me that someone I personally know would delete a perfectly scriptural comment I made, then go on to delete my post inquiring about why my original comment was deleted. I am truly puzzled over this, JD. Perhaps if you were a stranger, not so much, but a person I actually know? And one who claims the name of Christ, at that?
I don't summarily unfriend "real life people" from my friend list because I find it rude, but since it appears that you do not wish to interact with me, I will go ahead and do that. It will probably save any further frustration on both our parts.

I do pray, JD, that you might see it as a profitable endeavor to stand firm and defend your convictions on spiritual matters. If you disagreed with me about what I orignally wrote to that guy on your tree video post, then engage me. It is always worthwhile to discuss the things of God. In the same manner, it would seem only the polite thing to do to address someone's question. Especially a fellow believer in Christ. I am sorry that you felt deleting my posts was the best course of action.


Gayla


His reply to me:


Gayla,

I will weigh your comments and consider your opinion.

The person that made a comment on my wall may not even be a Christian and I was shocked that he was willing to even acknowledge God. I didn't want him to see you reprimand him about his comment and turn him off of God. If you know him personally and he is a believer then please accept my apologies for taking your comment off my wall; however, there are many non Christians that I have as friends on Facebook and I want them to see God's love and Grace.

I try to stay as far away from religion and judgmental attitudes as possible. I know who I am in God and do not receive anything you said about me.
I love you and Roger and you both are in my prayers. May God richly bless you in all you do to Glorify his name.


JD

 I then replied with:


Hi JD,

Thanks so much for replying. I've been going back and forth with myself as to whether or not I should respond. Finally decided to do so.

No, I don't know the guy who posted on your video. Far from reprimanding him, though, I was pointing him to the Scriptures, which is EXACTLY where he needs to be looking for God! His comment on your post was something to the effect that (we should be alert b/c) we never know when God is speaking. I merely informed him that we can be quite assured that God is speaking since He's *already* spoken in his Word - everything we need for life and godliness is contained therein. So if he is, indeed, an unbeliever, Holy Writ is where he needs to be seeking God, if his heart has been stirred to do so. He won't find God in a tree or a "burning bush." If he did, he would quickly find that God is a consuming fire. He won't find God in his mind where He *thinks* God is imparting some special, personal revelation.

I know what you mean about having unbelivers on your FB friend list; so do I. And I, too, want them to see the love and grace of God. I don't think, however, that we can present a "one-sided" picture of Him. In other words, there is no experiencing the love, grace or mercy of God without first having an understanding of the God Who is just and that His wrath is upon sinners who are without Christ. Or, without coming to grips with the fact that we are wretched, depraved sinners in need of a Savior. The message of the gospel is 'repent and believe,' not "ask Jesus into your heart and 'make Him' your Lord and Savior." Certainly Christ is not a groovy accoutrement that we merely add on to our already groovy lives, or that "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." These are NOT the gospel.
I'm not sure what you mean by you "don't receive anything I said about you." I don't see that I said anything *about* you. I only encouraged you to stand firm on the truth of the Scriptures and to contend for the faith.

Anyway, sorry for rambling on so. I just didn't think I could let it go at that. I'm always open for discussion, because as I said above, I think it is profitable to dig into the Scriptures and discuss. Iron sharpens iron.


For Christ's sake,
Gayla



Now here' where it really gets weird, as he replies to me with:

Google Johari's window and tell me your thoughts.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johari_window

Introspective- look this up and let me know your thoughts.


Regards,

Now, I'm completely baffled by this.  I don't know whether I should take it as a personal affront or if he was referring to the unsaved guy who commented on his FB wall.  I'm completely stunned, so I reply:

JD,

Without any context, it's difficult to ascertain what it is you're getting at. Or what it is you're looking for from me. This is too vague and doesn't relate to what I said in my earlier message.

I can only say that psychological tools that point us to "self" and that cause unwarranted suppositions have nothing at all to do with the Kingdom of God, or a discussion of Scripture, or proclaiming the gospel of grace.

(We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. 2 Cor 10:5)

If you'd care to be more specific in addressing the issue, I'm more than willing to read. If not, then we should leave well enough alone.


Then he replies with a non-reply:


Just want to end by saying I love you and Rog. I pray God continues to bless you both. If I can ever help with anything, don't hesitate to call on me.

Blessings,



Continuing in utter disbelief at what I'd been reading (and unable to drop the matter), I reply with:

JD, I must admit that this is probably the most bizarre conversation I've ever had with someone who professes to be a Christian. You demonstrate an obvious reluctance to engage in meaningful discourse concerning the Word of God, and I don't get that at all. You then link me to a psychology tool with no explanation as to 'why' or what bearing it has on anything. Then just abruptly end things. Of course, it is certainly your prerogative to do so, but it is most disappointing that you refuse to undertake a profitable discussion.

As I said early on in my first messge, I do pray that you would see it as a worthy endeavor to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. (Jude 1:3)



To which his final message to me was:

OK


I know, I know....I'm slow, but I did finally get the hint that JD didn't really want to engage in a substantive discussion about Scripture.  He didn't actually want to get to the heart of the matter.  I'm not sure what his end goal was, but it certainly wasn't anything rooted in Scripture, nor was it edifying, nor did it point me to Christ.  It's maddening, but it also grieves my heart that believers would engage (or not engage) in such a manner.  

Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD. ~Psalm 31:24