Have you ever questioned some of the things you were taught in church? I have been questioning a lot recently, but a couple verses have been on my mind and I am wondering if I may have been taught wrong or misinterpreted what is really meant. The verses are as follows:
Luke 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.
I was taught this verse was talking about living as a christian witness in front of non-believers and how that would upset them. They would insult you and say you were evil because you followed Christ.
The other verse is Luke 6:26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to treat the false prophets in the same way.
I was told this meant that I was not living as a good christian witness. All non-believers would speak good things about me because I was just like them. I was not living my Christian witness strong enough, pointing out their sins and mistakes. Living like them meant it caused no guilt on their part because I was not being a good Christian example.
The Religious or Non-Believers?
I have come to think I was told wrong about these two verses. I wonder, could it be that these verses are actually talking about religious people rather than non-believers?
When we read about Jesus and how he lived while here on earth, I see something different from what I was taught about living a Christian life. Jesus loved the people who most religious people would not want to be around. I was always told I had to separate myself and stay away from non-believers. I should be ready to point out why they were wrong and that they were on the way to hell if they did not change their ways. This is not to say all these people were wrong or terrible people, but in the eyes of other christian people they were wrong. Neither does this consider the verse saying the Holy Spirit will convict the world and draw others to the Father. It is not our job to convict and condemn, but to love.
Funny, I just do not see Jesus condemning and staying away from anyone. Jesus loved all people, even those that religion tells me to stay away from. When Jesus spent his time around the people the religious people wanted nothing to do with, He was hated, insulted and called evil…..by the religious people.
Just maybe when men speak well of us, it may not be non-believers. Maybe this is talking about the religious people speaking well of us because we are just like them, religious, condemning, relying on good works and fulfilling the law, and isolating ourselves from the people they thought were evil. Maybe when we want to spend time with those the religious try to avoid, it makes the religious crowd mad and they will be calling us evil. That’s what they did to Jesus, so we can expect the same.
Done with Religion 
Thank you Paul.
LikeLike
[…] When All Speak Well of You… Did I Have It Wrong? […]
LikeLike
Hello oldschool, thanks for the reply. As I mentioned before, I do not debate or continually discuss my viewpoints. I enjoy writing and I make short replies to anyone who takes the time to comment. Other than that, I find no enjoyment in constant debates and discussions. I know we all have different thoughts and ideas, and I only express my personal opinion in my articles. I appreciate that you take the time to read my articles, but I do not enjoy constant back and forth questions and answers on my articles. What I write is only my opinion, I may be right or I may be wrong, yet it is how I feel about something at the present time. Thanks again for taking the time to read and comment on my article.
LikeLike
That’s very much the answer I’d expected to read, with the brief exception of “. . . I do believe at times, through the guiding of the Spirit, he may use us to speak things to others that they need to hear, but it will be in love and not in a condemning way. . .” which was very interesting. However, I’m not sure you’ve tackled my question properly.
“Also, in regard to the picture I thought it showed that we are to love and not judge those who believe or live differently than we do.”
Yes, but my question, what does “Do not judge” mean? Moreover, with regards to “accept”, how are you telling or advising a believer to accept someone involved in sin? Or even to ask the question in another way, how does a person fail to “accept” an individual involved in a thoroughly sinful lifestyle?
LikeLike
Hello oldschool, thanks for the reply. First, my main point was not that I or anyone should take on the sins of another to be like them. My point was that today a lot of christians expect us to be vocal about the sins of others. I am not a vocal person. I believe living a godly life every day in the power of the Holy Spirit is a greater witness to God than speaking words. I have seen too many christian people be vocal about how spiritual there were and in so many words say how much better they were than an unbeliever and even fellow christians of different denominations. They are quick to point out the sins and mistakes as others rather than love the person and let the Spirit do the convicting. For me, words are easy to come by, but a daily life that follows Jesus speaks much louder. I was saying that because I do not speak out loudly and continually about the life and beliefs of others, many christians say I am not doing my duty. I disagree. I will love, accept and respect others no matter who they are or what they believe, and I can do that without taking on the characteristics of that person or group. Also, in regard to the picture I thought it showed that we are to love and not judge those who believe or live differently than we do. I personally believe the Holy Spirit is capable of convicting the world of sin where convicting is needed, and we are to accept and love others while maintaining our godly lifestyle without condemning others. I do believe at times, through the guiding of the Spirit, he may use us to speak things to others that they need to hear, but it will be in love and not in a condemning way. Anyway, that’s my thoughts, hope it answers your questions. Thanks again for the comment.
LikeLike
“All non-believers would speak good things about me because I was just like them. I was not living my Christian witness strong enough, pointing out their sins and mistakes. Living like them meant it caused no guilt on their part because I was not being a good Christian example.”
Good morning, DWR! There are a few observations concerning your above material. When Christ ate with tax collectors and various sinners, He didn’t also begin collecting taxes and take up their behaviors. Do you mean to say you live like an unrepentant sinner by writing “Living like them meant it caused no guilt on their part”? Because Jesus didn’t “live like” the people He kept company with. To live like an unbeliever wouldn’t mean simply being a sinner, if we’re holding up our hands to sin I’d be the first in line, rather it would mean sinning by the conventional sins (i.e hatred of my brother, lusts), in addition to sinful behaviors like obscuring the knowledge of God or refusing to honestly share Jesus’ life and teachings. We wouldn’t take up swearing or casually using Jesus’ name in place of cuss words just because everybody else does, right? I’m sure you couldn’t have meant you’re open to doing as anybody around you does, rather you’ll clarify.
In addition, about the picture you’ve added, which of the two is the rather bombastic Jesus meaning to say, are they saying:
[1] Don’t judge any person’s conduct as either conforming to or departing from my clear instructions about right conduct.
Or. . .
[2] Don’t be judgemental.
Answer two appears imminently more likely than number one. Insofar as anybody can find Jesus says an awful lot of people are doing wrong due to their conduct, moreover He speaks plenty with regards to the reality of hell, separation from the grace of God precisely because of their behavior. Yet both are done in love. Both “point out sin” and are highlighting a person’s “mistakes” as you’ve written, both however can be done without being judgemental. So, which of the above are you meaning to say on Jesus’ behalf? I look forward to the reply.
LikeLike
Yep, not a good way of looking at things. I’m glad I don’t see things this way any longer. Thanks for commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“I was told this meant that I was not living as a good christian witness. All non-believers would speak good things about me because I was just like them. I was not living my Christian witness strong enough, pointing out their sins and mistakes. Living like them meant it caused no guilt on their part because I was not being a good Christian example.”
Yikes. That’s not the worst manipulative proselytizing practice, but still.
LikeLike
Thank you Jack for sharing that story. That was good. Loving and accepting others as Jesus did makes more impact than condemning and judging.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I think you’re on the right track. Some years ago, I was active on a music web site where there were often arguments in the general discussion forum between religious Christians and the non-believers. Several times I took on the Christians, exposing their hypocrisy, showing them scriptures that ran counter to the beliefs they were espousing, all the while not hiding my faith in the son, but not willing to identify with contemporary evangelical Christians. I identified as a follower of “The Way”. There were a few non-believers who commented to the effect that I could convince them to be followers of The Way as well … they’d never met someone who loved the Son who wasn’t an abrasive religious Christian.
Several of the non-believers wound up being great friends and helped me record my second album. When we were done with it, we met up for a week long vacation on the beach and one evening while talking, I asked them why they’d helped me record what so obviously are songs of faith; “because we love you, Jack” they said and I couldn’t hold back the tears.
What you’re saying in this post, in my view, goes hand in hand with Matthew 25:31-46 … I think we are going to see a great reversal of sorts at the judgment that scripture describes – unbelievers receiving a reward for loving the ‘sons of God’ (these my brothers) – while those who profess to be Christians find themselves on the outside looking in, with the Lord saying “away from me for I never knew you” …
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good point!
LikeLiked by 1 person