Daughter of the King

"...but it's fine if you want to."

I've been thinking about the all too common phrase "It's not for me, but if you want to then that's fine with me." Or, "I won't do it, but if want to that's fine." There are several variations, but the basic principle is that a person is saying they personally have an objection to something, but they aren't going to make a general statement about it, instead they claim to "be fine" with other people doing things that way. Now, I've been thinking about the logic in all of this. Most would agree that it is a biblical principle to see people on different levels. We tend to have different preferences and opinions. Yet, the idea of tolerance is one that has far outgrown beneficial place and become and idol which our culture worships relentlessly.

Where is the line? Jesus makes statements like "remove the log in your eye, before pointing out the speck in your neighbor’s eye." I agree with Him. The problem I see with the statements is the disclaimer, "but if you want to that's fine." Obviously you see some danger in something, and you are avoiding it for whatever reason, it may be as simple as, "I don't drink decaf coffee, but if you want to that's fine." Now, this statement is valid, because it is dealing with mostly preference, (although there are dangers in decaf coffee, and I may go so far to say that I don't think it's the best for people to drink it very often, but that's besides the point.) I am dealing more with a question of morals and ethics, for example "I would never steal chewing gun from a store, but if you want to go ahead." Our culture has gotten to the point where a person who holds to an absolute, (example: I would never have an abortion, and you shouldn't either,) is totally unloving and inconsiderate of other people. Yet, when it comes down to it, there is a level of responsibility we have as Christians to defend the absolutes and explain why they are harmful. "I would never have an abortion because I would be putting myself into lifelong emotional trauma, and it would be killing an innocent person...." Why is it that our culture calls this unkind or close-minded? Because the world is in love with evil, and anyone who proclaims the truth against evil is an enemy to them. What they can't handle is real love. The world fears real love more than anything else, because it fears God and He is love. Real love is patient, and the world is impatient. Real love is not rude, and world is rude. Real love bears all things, and the world has to have convenience. Real love reveals the truth in kindness, and the world proclaims eloquent lies. Real love keeps no record of wrong, and the world can list our sin to the minute detail. Real love always trusts, and the world always doubts. This world claims to understand love, and it goes so far as to offer "love" to those who will be the model star/super star. We know that behind the masks they are broken, and don't understand love. We do. Let's love them. Let's open our arms and wrap them in love. Let's be the love of God for people. Let's be patient with people. Let's be kind. Let's bear all things, even inconveniences. Let's trust. Let's erase the record of the wrongs people have done against us. Let's offer the truth in gracious words. Let's love people, even when it hurts.

posted by Becca @ 7:57 PM