Oprah said, today, "People always look at their poop" Her topic was, "ARE YOU NORMAL?" I was not grossed out by the comment, but figured many woud be offended. I thought it would grab some attention and it did. I got some phone calls from those who thought it wasn't necessary to post it. I got a few messages about how Oprah is not a christian and how I should not quote her. Well, it just so happens that I like Oprah's show, I think it's often informative. As far as Oprah, herself, I have come to see her as a Human, not a black woman, not a democrat or republican...I identify her as a human, part of the human race, a creation that God made, one of His children. God's word says we are to love one another, pray for one another. He didn't say to judge one another. I do agree with the song from Casting Crowns when they say, "What if God's people turned to Jesus and stopped asking Oprah what to do?" Maybe God made Oprah knowing she would be a venue to inform us, but also knowing she is with sin. He also knew she wouldn't be perfect.
God has laid something on my heart, if it offends you, take it up with God, I make no apologies when it comes to Him. I am not perfect, nor do I claim to be. I am not angry with anyone. With that being said, here is what I feel lead to share:
We are TOO judgemental. Christians, we are the worst. Most of my "Christian" friends are the most judgemental people I know. It's time for this to stop. The Word of God says, in Matthew 7:4-5, "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye." We are not honoring God by passing judgement on each other. We do it so often that we don't even feel convicted. We get angry when someone suggets we are being judgemental. It has become okay to judge however we please. My kids say, "It's a free country". I respond, " No it's not a 'free' country. It cost lives for our freedoms." So yes, we have freedom to say what we want, I am using my freedom right now, however, God's word says, "those without sin, cast the first stone." In other words, none of us are without sin, none of us are perfect, we haven't any right to judge others. John 8:7 says "And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.'"
How many of you would like it if this is what I said to you..."I can't believe you would go to a football game, paint your stomach & face, dye your hair the colors of your favorite team when it's 32 degrees outside. You are crazy! And then you scream your head off at people who can't hear you and wonder why your hoarse the next week? Why spend all of that time and energy, and the money? My goodness, did you even tithe last week? Did you even go to church? Why did you spend that much when you can't even pay your bills? Your priorities are all wrong." Many of you would NOT be slow to anger (as God's word instructs us in James 1:19" My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry") and would tell me exactly what you thought... some of you would never talk to me again. Some would ask what gives me the right to say this? I have a job and you don't, I pay taxes and your on public assistance, I am a christian and you are not, I am your friend and it's my place to pass this judgement, or how about this, I need to point out all of your faults to mask my own. Is there really a good response? Not in my heart there isn't. God is asking us, "who gave you the authority to judge?" He commands us to love.
I am judged because I am too radical. Too radical for Jesus? Come on, we can paint our bodies, scream at the other team, and pay out too much money, but we can't get excited about Jesus? And those of us who are excited about Jesus, are we loving each other? Are we speaking to each other in love? Are we passing judgement on one another? Are we holding grudges and denying forgiveness?
I want to love people where they are and love them just the way they are, sin and all! I want to speak truth and speak it only in love. Ephesians 4:14-16 says, "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. I want to be slow to anger, slow to speak, and quick to listen. These are the actions I am going to take. Will you join me?
