| revrew |
05-04-2003 07:48 AM |
Quote:
Originally posted by Dutch
Isn't that the same philosophy the European explorers had while wiping out the native americans?
Christ may be the method for some to understand that robbing the grocery store down the street is bad, but it's up to the individual to implement that policy.
Happy Sunday!
|
Before meeting Christ, I knew the difference between right and wrong (robbing store--bad), but I chose to do wrong anyways. I chose lust, I chose anger, I chose hate. Some of those choices were like drug addictions--I was so ingrained in choosing them, I couldn't break free to choose anything else.
When I surrendered my life to the supernatural power of God, I found healing AND the power to choose love. I was an extremely angry man, motivated by guilt and shame and pride. Christ broke those addictions and has made me into something else. If it was "up to me to implement that policy", I already know how lousy of a job I would do. Christ gave me hope (one that wasn't there before him), love, forgiveness, and a new heart.
As for the conquistadores, crusaders, swindlers, Bible-thumpers, I'm not surprised so much wrong has been committed in the name of Christ. What better way for a real power of evil to discredit a real power of love than to convince people to use love's name for wrong?
If you gave me instructions, and I misunderstood them with the excuse, "Dutch told me to!", would that make you evil, irrelevant, meaningless, or otherwise discredit you? No, it would only discredit me for misunderstanding. The conquistados' and settlers' abuses don't make me question Christ, they make me question the conquistadors' commitment to Christ. They obviously misunderstood somewhere. |
