There Is A Middle Way
Thursday, December 21, 2006
I am guilty of being an insensitive, judgemental, intolerant butt-head. This is a late discussion, having reached conclusions over a week ago, but I need to put it out.
I was so busy being right that I failed to realize the pain I was causing for my family.
To add injury to injury, instead of seeking to properly resolve the problems contributing to all this, I took the inappropriate liberty of betraying the trust of my family. I consulted outside sources on my problems when I hadn’t consulted my family.
So I failed in my primary mission of love. I was not tenderhearted toward others, forgiving others just as Christ forgave me (Ephesians 4:32 ).
I believe wholeheartedly in standing for the truth. But my stand has been blind, without thought, in many situations. I have not endeavored to comprehend what others say and believe. I have fallen in with those who argue for the sake of arguing, living for the rush of the fight.
I believe that Christian liberalism has given birth to This . Being tolerant and sensitive to the “felt needs” of others is dancing atop an unstable fence. But there are some truths that these christian liberals have brought to light, which we bigheaded pious jerks have forgotten. Something to the tune of love my neighbor as myself (Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 19:19). Something like being salt and light to the earth (Matthew 5:13).
In contending for the Gospel, I have stepped on the product of the Gospel, which is a changed life that has evidence of Godly qualities(1 John 5:1-12). What use am I for Christ if I do not produce, now that I’ve joined the team?
Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
Now I know in my heart that I’m not perfect (Romans 7:7-25).
But I know that I have the ability to grow and learn, love as Christ does, and find forgivenness for my wrongdoing. I have sought forgivenness and found it. I will carry on, meek rather than harsh, sensitive rather than unassailable.
So the middle way? Buddhists say that there’s a path that comprises the best of the ascetic and the hedonist. I guess I am an ascetic, or have been, and am intolerant toward hedonists. Not a very good analogy, but there it is.
Forgiven.