I love a good quote. I like quotes that make you think:
"Any fool can know. The point is to understand." ~Albert Einstein
I like quotes that tell the truth:
"Relativity applies to physics, not ethics." ~Albert Einstein
I like funny quotes:
"Confidence is going after Moby Dick in a row bow and taking the tater sauce with you." ~unknown
I like motivational quotes:
"The one who falls and gets back up is so much stronger than the one who never fell."
I even like entertainment quotes (you know, lines from movies and tv shows:)
"Never hate your enemies, it affects your judgement." ~Michael Corleone, The God Father
I can go on. I actually have a collection of quotes. Quotes can be used in so many ways. We can use them in advertising, research, conversation, writing, attention getters, to add "weight" to a speech or lecture, to draw comparison/contrast, to evoke emotions or memories, to literally "quote" someone, to break down a situation and the list goes on.
As one who has taught young people, I like to use quotes to teach practical application of scripture. I have had vocal critics who let me know this practice was futile and "undermined" Biblical teaching. I could and simply should use scripture when teaching. As I smiled, I thanked them for their input. While teaching is not my spiritual gift by nature (we will get into spiritual gifts in a later blog) I do take teaching very seriously. I yield to the Holy Spirit in all my teaching. I never teach without the use of scripture; is that not the point of Biblical teaching? I do; however, strongly believe practical, real world, today, "how do I apply it to my life right now," "why and how is it relevant" application of scripture is not only paramount to today's young people but it is critical. It is something that is lacking. Anyone can preach at or preach to someone. Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it to a six-year-old, you don’t understand it yourself.” How many of us understand scripture well enough to explain it to a six-year-old? Is that why we often stick to the same lessons over and over in children's Sunday School?
Before I turn this into an opinion piece and go off on an entirely different subject, let me reign myself back in. I have also learned, over time, the average person we come in contact with keeps in line with statistics. They may have limited knowledge of the Bible gained from going to church as a child and/or attending Vacation Bible School. Remember, on average, 4 out of 5 teenagers leave the church upon graduation. 3 out of 5 teenagers are not made to attend church regularly, by their parents, once they become teenagers and only 1 out of 3 choose to do so of their own free will. (Those are not the most recent statistics. Sadly, Gen Z have much lower rates. This is not about those statistics, so again, I am digressing.) One can draw the logical conclusion that the average person has limited Biblical knowledge, yes?
My job, as a Christian, is to "make disciples of men." Is that not the great commission? I do not find myself as one who is called to go door to door. In fact, I am not one who likes starting conversations. If I am perfectly honest, by nature, I don't innately like people. I am perfectly content watching them from afar. To me, the greatest invention was e-mail, text messages and remote interaction. After an hour of "peopling," I need 4-6 hours to recharge. That is just the truth. I do it because I have to. With that being said, the moments I interact need to count.
Nothing, and I mean nothing, is more important to me, when it comes to sharing the Gospel than pointing a person to the truth that Christianity is not a religion - it is a Faith (HUGE difference) and the importance of knowing Christ personally - the personal relationship you have with Jesus Christ. Whether the person knows nothing about Jesus or knows a little bit, these two points are critical in the development of their Christian walk.
Being able to share my faith and my relationship is more than witty banter. I can sit and quote scripture to someone every time something happens. What does that really tell someone? I have good memorization skills? The Bible tells us the enemy knows scripture. I know atheist and agnostics who know scripture. Ever run into to someone who knows you, knows you are a Christian and if you do "something" they are quick to point out, "well, the Bible says.... what a Christian you are!" or "Hypocrite!" Quoting scripture in this case is not going to get you anywhere. Knowing scripture and knowing how to apply it, live it and what it means, will. There is nothing more dangerous than, "twisted scripture." What is "twisted scripture" you ask? That is scripture that is taken out of context and used for a specific purpose. Sure, the words line up. It may sound good and in fact, it does come from the Bible but that is not what it means. There is danger in "twisted scripture." The sad part is both believers and non-believers twist scripture.
I went on about a few things in this post. This is an "introduction." over the next four (4) posts, I will be going more in-depth on a few topics covered here.
We Like Saying It But... - in this post, we will review a few things we as Christians really like to say (I have done it, too) but they have no Biblical basis. We need to be careful when we incorporate the sayings but more importantly, when we incorporate the beliefs
It's Not Just a T-Shirt, It's My Life - in this post, we will cover the truths of Christianity as a Faith and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
A Rose by Any Other Name is Still a Rose - in this post, we will cover quotes, words and speech
Just Because You Don't Like It Doesn't Make It So - in this post, well, doesn't the name say it all? Well, you might just be surprised.
I love writing. I love researching. I love learning. I love Jesus. I love people. Wait. Didn't I say above that I didn't? Ahhh, you might want to re-read that and if you are going to quote me, do it correctly. Neither are a lie. It is a lesson we, as Christians, need to learn; one we will explore. Will you go with me here? Join me over the next couple of posts and see if we can't deepen our understanding and more importantly, application of God's Word.
If you have a topic you would like covered in a future blog, feel free to
leave it in the comments or e-mail us at harvestministries09@gmail.com
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