Defining Terms / Experiences

These are just some things I have been thinking about recently...

Understanding vs. Approval

I always try to understand people because I know that I am often being misunderstood. God has taught me through the years that I can never blow off someone else's experiences just because I did not go through it or do not understand it. So I tend to ask for understanding and more grace and mercy, because that is definitely something I need to do more of. Yet, I think some people get confused when I try to say I "understand", because understand is not the same as approve. If I were to approve of the things I was actually against, that would be terrible. 

Believer

What does it mean to be a believer in Christ? I find that this word should be used carefully. Whenever I hear the word believer (in Christ), I hold them up to a Biblical standard and I view them as a part of God's eternal family. I expect them to call me out on the things I am doing wrong, and I will try my best to strive for perfection as defined by God. I also expect them to attempt to live up to the term, and I do not approve of finding loopholes or excuses to behave in a non-believer manner. I trust them in a deeper way and believe that they possess certain "supernatural" qualities that non-believers do not have. I call them "supernatural" because without God, there is no way us humans can accomplish what He has called us to do and actually "love our enemies". 

The one thing that is the hallmark of a true believer is not that they "sin less", but that they repent and attempt to do better next time. My mom asked me the other day if I ever saw any difference between a believer and a non-believer. I thought it was a excellent question, and one that I had not thought about. But when I did, I said, "They will actually forgive people and let them start with a new, blank slate. They forgive an infinity number of times." And I have find this to be true.  

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You cannot argue with other people's experiences. 

At our retreat last semester, the speaker kept on emphasizing this line. At first, I didn't really understand it, but now, God has been showing me more and more that he manifests himself in different ways to different people. However, in the end, the Gospel will stay the same. If people told me a few years ago about lights and spirits, I would have screamed and ran far, far away. I would have been very scared. I would have said that those people were crazy. I would have wondered if they were from the Devil. I would have wondered if they were lying. And guess what? I did all of these things. And only in the end did I realize how pointless and cowardly it was. 

These experiences have taught me to never, ever discount anyone's experiences, because the way they perceived it is something that can never be fully understood. But I think we can ask God for understanding, because if it was sincere, He will always let us know in due time. Discernment is still something I try to practice more of every day, as I try to understand the difference between what God forbids vs. my personal preferences that should not be imposed on others. 

The biggest thing I have learned, though, is this:

God gives SO MANY gifts to his children. But I was stupid and NEVER TOOK any of them until now. I realized I better not miss out on anymore eternal blessings for as long as I live. What I give up now is absolutely mediocre to what I will get in Heaven. And that is not a place where everyone goes. I think Rick Warren was on point when he said that God only wants people who love Him to live with him forever. I mean, none of us would want to live with people who didn't love us, right? 

I used to never understand this quote in debate. Now I do, but I don't really view life as a debate or
war. That's just too sad. Spiritual warfare is the only exception, but still :) I used to also think words were pointless, until I realized that out of all the things God could have left, he chose to leave the Bible...which is full of words. So I guess words are important than most would like to think!