I have been saying that I am ready and right with The Lord. If the time comes this moment I have no worries for God knows what the future holds and this is but a journey.
That’s beautiful Chad. I heard back from my friend that I lost due to the Covid/Biden/conspiracy BS back in 2020. I sent her your Nov 1st piece Empathy? Forgiveness?
She answered with ‘Aren’t we Christians first?’
It pierced my soul.
So are we?
But yet I still think our conversations would have been filled with those COVID/Biden/conspiracy arguments every time we got together and I would have hated that- I would have hated having to defend my position every time I saw her and accept the ridicule for staying unjabbed- did I choose the chicken way out? Or did I ‘shake the dust from my feet and move on?’ I have no answer in my heart either way.
Thank you. It was time for something a little more uplifting.
Regarding your friend, I can give you my opinion, but realize, it is just that. I am imperfect, and I do not claim to have perfect understanding. For now, we see as in a glass darkly.
She is correct that we are, and ever will be, Christians first. It is for that reason that, even in the "Empathy? Forgiveness? Amnesty?" article, I said we need to offer forgiveness. What others do with that forgiveness is up to them. Even so, as Christians, we must recognize that, even though we are forgiven, there are consequences to our actions. When we are saved, God doesn't just say, "all is forgiven. Go do what you want." Likewise, when we sin, as a parent corrects a child for wrongdoing, God disciplines us (Heb. 12 - realize also that God's discipline may simply come at a time when we have a lesson to learn, not necessarily in response to sin). Now, I'm not trying to claim we should stand in the place of God and mete out consequences - this would be just as wrong; but consequences there must be, especially for those in government and the media who so fervently pushed the lies (most of them knowing they were lies), and tried to silence any opposing viewpoints, even to the extent of intentionally destroying people's livelihoods and wishing death on those who refused the poison poke.
No. That is not forgiveness. And the problem with the article in The Atlantic, the huge, glaring, elephant-in-the-room problem, is that the author isn't saying she wants to seek forgiveness from anyone. She pretty much says, "well, we were all in the dark, and people on both sides got stuff wrong. Let's just forget it all ever happened. Mmmmkay?" Sorry, forgiveness doesn't work that way, and the article denies the reality of what actually happened.
I don't know your heart, nor do I know you're friend's; however, I'm willing to wager I can guess fairly accurately how you treated her and how she treated you. And if I had to guess, I'd wager she was pretty ugly toward you, though you likely tried to remain kind and caring with her. You do not need to fill in those blanks - that is just my guess. The reason that is the position I take is because it is what I saw all around, and it is what I experienced, to a degree, myself.
Those who saw through the veil from early on, who didn't buy the narrative, who stood up for individual liberty and recognized that there were serious problems with the way things were handled, mostly did so in a kind manner and attempted to get those who had been duped to see the truth. You, as I, likely presented facts, well-reasoned arguments, information from well-credentialed authorities (such as Dr. Mike Yeadon, Dr. Peter McCullough, et. al.), and pointed out inconsistencies like studies from the WHO and the CDC that showed masks don't stop the transmission of a respiratory virus, the fact that never has the medical community refused to consider treatment plans other than "wait for the vaccine," as well as that the studies on the shots were rushed and never completed, and that the CDC appeared to be ignoring their own Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System. It would be one thing if everyone really was in the dark and all we had to go on were the talking heads at the CDC and in the media; but we didn't. Those who remained in the dark did so willingly, they remained willfully ignorant, because "the experts" said so. As a result, those same people then castigated anyone who contradicted "the experts", calling for withholding of medical care for those who refused the jab, and even wishing death upon the "vaccine hesitant." Really, with the way many who claim to be Christian behaved, though I cannot judge their hearts, it makes me question their faith. The way the deceived treated those with their eyes open was certainly not Christlike, and it is not something simply to be swept under the rug, as the article called for.
The New Testament is replete with passages on forgiveness, most God's forgiveness toward us. Some indicate forgiveness needs to be sought; some are not as clear. Where I struggle most with this is, have these people learned anything from what has been done and the way they behaved? Does your friend still believe "the experts", or will she now question if something similar happens again? Were another virus to arise, and "the experts" take the same course of lockdowns and mandates, would she simply comply and again deride you for being contrary? Or would she seek additional information before drawing conclusions?
One last passage, and I'll end this long-winded rambling. Paul, writing to Titus, said: "This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned." (Titus 3:8-10). To me, the foolish controversies and factiousness came from those who lied (government, media, the medical establishment) and those who swallowed the lies and refused to open their eyes. So yes, we are to forgive, but there is also a point to simply walk away, and it is possible to do both. I hope that helps.
Thank you for the reminder that I MUST have FAITH that God does indeed have a plan and He gives all of his faithful the shelter we need in times like these. We just have to look to Him and ASK for his protection.
All too often people put their faith in other PEOPLE. Those people are ALWAYS flawed and NEVER perfect. They will time and again let us down. However. GOD IS PERFECT and will NEVER let us slip through the cracks so long as our faith in Him remains true.
There is a plan.
It is not mine.
It is a good one.
I have been saying that I am ready and right with The Lord. If the time comes this moment I have no worries for God knows what the future holds and this is but a journey.
That’s beautiful Chad. I heard back from my friend that I lost due to the Covid/Biden/conspiracy BS back in 2020. I sent her your Nov 1st piece Empathy? Forgiveness?
She answered with ‘Aren’t we Christians first?’
It pierced my soul.
So are we?
But yet I still think our conversations would have been filled with those COVID/Biden/conspiracy arguments every time we got together and I would have hated that- I would have hated having to defend my position every time I saw her and accept the ridicule for staying unjabbed- did I choose the chicken way out? Or did I ‘shake the dust from my feet and move on?’ I have no answer in my heart either way.
@stevenorthrup. You are right. So right. There is a plan - it is not mine. I’m really trusting - trying my very best to trust in the plan.
Thank you. It was time for something a little more uplifting.
Regarding your friend, I can give you my opinion, but realize, it is just that. I am imperfect, and I do not claim to have perfect understanding. For now, we see as in a glass darkly.
She is correct that we are, and ever will be, Christians first. It is for that reason that, even in the "Empathy? Forgiveness? Amnesty?" article, I said we need to offer forgiveness. What others do with that forgiveness is up to them. Even so, as Christians, we must recognize that, even though we are forgiven, there are consequences to our actions. When we are saved, God doesn't just say, "all is forgiven. Go do what you want." Likewise, when we sin, as a parent corrects a child for wrongdoing, God disciplines us (Heb. 12 - realize also that God's discipline may simply come at a time when we have a lesson to learn, not necessarily in response to sin). Now, I'm not trying to claim we should stand in the place of God and mete out consequences - this would be just as wrong; but consequences there must be, especially for those in government and the media who so fervently pushed the lies (most of them knowing they were lies), and tried to silence any opposing viewpoints, even to the extent of intentionally destroying people's livelihoods and wishing death on those who refused the poison poke.
No. That is not forgiveness. And the problem with the article in The Atlantic, the huge, glaring, elephant-in-the-room problem, is that the author isn't saying she wants to seek forgiveness from anyone. She pretty much says, "well, we were all in the dark, and people on both sides got stuff wrong. Let's just forget it all ever happened. Mmmmkay?" Sorry, forgiveness doesn't work that way, and the article denies the reality of what actually happened.
I don't know your heart, nor do I know you're friend's; however, I'm willing to wager I can guess fairly accurately how you treated her and how she treated you. And if I had to guess, I'd wager she was pretty ugly toward you, though you likely tried to remain kind and caring with her. You do not need to fill in those blanks - that is just my guess. The reason that is the position I take is because it is what I saw all around, and it is what I experienced, to a degree, myself.
Those who saw through the veil from early on, who didn't buy the narrative, who stood up for individual liberty and recognized that there were serious problems with the way things were handled, mostly did so in a kind manner and attempted to get those who had been duped to see the truth. You, as I, likely presented facts, well-reasoned arguments, information from well-credentialed authorities (such as Dr. Mike Yeadon, Dr. Peter McCullough, et. al.), and pointed out inconsistencies like studies from the WHO and the CDC that showed masks don't stop the transmission of a respiratory virus, the fact that never has the medical community refused to consider treatment plans other than "wait for the vaccine," as well as that the studies on the shots were rushed and never completed, and that the CDC appeared to be ignoring their own Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System. It would be one thing if everyone really was in the dark and all we had to go on were the talking heads at the CDC and in the media; but we didn't. Those who remained in the dark did so willingly, they remained willfully ignorant, because "the experts" said so. As a result, those same people then castigated anyone who contradicted "the experts", calling for withholding of medical care for those who refused the jab, and even wishing death upon the "vaccine hesitant." Really, with the way many who claim to be Christian behaved, though I cannot judge their hearts, it makes me question their faith. The way the deceived treated those with their eyes open was certainly not Christlike, and it is not something simply to be swept under the rug, as the article called for.
The New Testament is replete with passages on forgiveness, most God's forgiveness toward us. Some indicate forgiveness needs to be sought; some are not as clear. Where I struggle most with this is, have these people learned anything from what has been done and the way they behaved? Does your friend still believe "the experts", or will she now question if something similar happens again? Were another virus to arise, and "the experts" take the same course of lockdowns and mandates, would she simply comply and again deride you for being contrary? Or would she seek additional information before drawing conclusions?
One last passage, and I'll end this long-winded rambling. Paul, writing to Titus, said: "This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned." (Titus 3:8-10). To me, the foolish controversies and factiousness came from those who lied (government, media, the medical establishment) and those who swallowed the lies and refused to open their eyes. So yes, we are to forgive, but there is also a point to simply walk away, and it is possible to do both. I hope that helps.
Thank you for the reminder that I MUST have FAITH that God does indeed have a plan and He gives all of his faithful the shelter we need in times like these. We just have to look to Him and ASK for his protection.
All too often people put their faith in other PEOPLE. Those people are ALWAYS flawed and NEVER perfect. They will time and again let us down. However. GOD IS PERFECT and will NEVER let us slip through the cracks so long as our faith in Him remains true.