Me? What About You?

“We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” -- Colossians 1:28

Reading that verse, my mind immediately focused on the two words 'admonishing' and 'teaching'. Those two words might seem like they go together, but I look at them as two completely different entities. Admonishment isn't inherently a positive thing...it's a reminder that you aren't doing what you know you are supposed to be doing. It's a negative criticism of one's actions or behaviors. Teaching, on the other hand, is to share what you know with someone who doesn't know. It's a positive action taken to help another. I'm afraid that we, as Christians, are all too easily led down the path of admonishment when teaching may be what is required.

I heard a story that is absolutely crushing tonight. A Facebook acquaintance of my wife has had a very rough 9 months. It all started when she lost her father followed only three short weeks later by her mother. Her aunt followed a few months later and just a few days back, her oldest sister. Complicating matters, she was unable to attend her sister's funeral due to health complications. That is heart breaking enough, but what really gets me is that I know there are "Christians" out there (maybe even someone reading this) that believe this woman has sinned against God and is being punished for it. I'm here to tell you...DO NOT BE THAT KIND OF CHRISTIAN!!!!!!!!!

The last thing in the world this woman needs is someone thinking, much less saying, that it's all her fault. Now, I don't know if she believes in God or not. If she does, I don't know if she believes in Christ or not. As far as a Christ follower's behavior towards her goes, it simply doesn't matter. She needs to be showered with love and prayer, to be given Bible verses of compassion...in a manner of speaking, she needs to be taught. Taught that perfect strangers care about her because God cares about her. Taught that it isn't her fault.

I don't even like using the word Christian much (I prefer Christ follower) because it has negative connotations from people who speak without thinking and don't really pay attention to the teachings they profess to believe in. These are the people who need admonishment because they are not holding to the duties assigned them by Christ when they confessed Him as Lord and Savior. If any of you ever catches me forgetting who I'm called to be, I fully expect you to get on my case about it.

We're called to love everybody...without condition. We're called to teach everyone what we know...without condition. We're called to accountability by our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as when we don't hold to our calling. So be on guard for yourself and also for your peers. Teach Jesus' love without fail and hold each other to our duty as His followers. No matter the circumstances, it's what we're here to do.