Ridgell's Originals

 Jesus warned his disciples it would happen.  Read John 16.  Disciples would be killed by people who thought they were doing a service for God.

Still happens.

I have seen so much spiritual damage done by people who think they are doing a service for God.

Spiritual murder in the name of Jesus.

It happens when you condemn and label people because they do not understand or agree with the traditional position on certain things.  So you run them off with a healthy dose of condemnation and wonder why they turn bitter.  Sometimes even give up on church.  You may be absolutely convinced you are right in you views.  You may be certain that God wants church to look exactly like you are doing it.  But the mean arrogance shown to those who disagree is incredibly damaging.  

It happens on the other end of the spectrum also.  You become conviced God wants things done differently.  So convinced that you have to change things.  Because you are convinced that is what God wants.  But everybody does not understand or agree with your new insight.  And it makes you mad.  Let them leave.  Good ridance.  They are just a hindrance to what God wants anyway.  

You may think you are doing a service for God.  Keeping things the same.  Changing things.  So convinced that you will do anything to get God's way in things.  At least, how you see God's way.  And you may -- or may not -- be right.

But I give full credit to the belief that you are right.

And it still does not justify destroying someone in the name of Jesus.

Conservatives might even tell someone they are not a true Christian.

Liberals may even look down their noses and point out that they wish you had a better head and heart like they do.  But they are better off without you.

You cannot do un-Jesus things in the name of Jesus. 

Disagree.  Part ways in love.  Remain in fellowship if possible.  

I have talked to a lot of people damaged by spiritual murder in the name of Jesus.

I have seen it.

We have to do better.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM