tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512615033583182026.post4883488601109003024..comments2023-10-23T11:50:35.699-07:00Comments on Marks of Authentic Mission: Matthew 7:1-12. A Christian’s relationships: Our attitude to ‘dogs’ and ‘Pigs’ John StottAndrew Kennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02714318748847734699noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512615033583182026.post-7643208124399783562010-05-04T04:25:31.509-07:002010-05-04T04:25:31.509-07:00THe first part followed by the AK is what I wrote ...THe first part followed by the AK is what I wrote followed bt Stott's commentary.Again thanks for your insightful thoughts and link. I like your coined word christianosis. Some would say it is similar to the way we are injected with a small dose of cow pox in order to produce antibodies which will attack both cow pox and the more dangerous small pox.We get a dose churchianity that will later cause people to reject Christ when we meet Him!Andrew Kennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02714318748847734699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-512615033583182026.post-28994980388612128312010-05-03T10:33:49.362-07:002010-05-03T10:33:49.362-07:00Are you quoting this text, or is that your writing...Are you quoting this text, or is that your writing, brother? It seems like you may be quoting, and you mention John Stott, but I am confused as to what are your thoughts expressed, and those of another, if any. Please clarify.<br /><br />Though I never use the animal terms "dogs" or "pigs" with regard to humans to whom the gospel is addressed (it sounds too much like the Muslims calling Jews "apes and pigs"), I know from tradition that "dogs" refers to male homosexuals and "pigs" to people who have no understanding of or use for the gospel (pigs can't wear pearl jewelry, nor would they want to).<br /><br />The topic discussed here, though, has tremendous impact on our witness, and it's one that I am struggling with to this very day.<br /><br />Our society seems to have become post-Christian, people from complete atheists to church-going types can all fall into this category, which seems to me to be the "pigs" we are talking about. What? Church-goers can be post-Christian? They can be the pigs before whom one must not throw pearls, lest they turn on us and trample us underfoot? Well, sorry, but yes.<br /><br />To receive Christ and the good news is precisely as the Lord says in the letters to the churches in Revelation: I stand at the door and knock... Everyone, from atheists, to agnostics, to the christianised masses who may be quite religious but are blind to Jesus Christ as He really is, can be so inclined that they either will not open the door, or cannot, for they no longer hear Him knocking, if they ever did.<br /><br />This poses the question, for me at least, of evangelism in the lands of christianosis (as I blogged some years back — http://cost-of-discipleship.blogspot.com/2006/07/witnessing-in-land-of-end-times.html), is it worth it?<br /><br />Well, of course it is, because even one soul that is led to salvation thru mine or anyone's witness (I'm not here talking about just talking, but one's whole Christian life as a visible witness), is worth it. But it still is very discouraging to be placed, as I now am, in an environment where everyone around me has already chosen, and chosen wrong. I work in a pigsty, so to speak. On good days, I still love the pigs and try to let that love alone be the witness, even though they see me coming and run. On bad days, when I am weak and am crying out for mercy for even my own life, being surrounded by pigs is almost more than I can bear. Almost more? Yes, because if I give in to the old man, I too become a pig, and that herd is headed for a lake, and it's not the sea of Galilee. Christ have mercy!<br /><br />Fortunately for us, babies are still being born who turn into youths and then young adults. That cream of the crop of humanity is still there, white for harvest, and it is primarily for them that I hang on to a life that otherwise would be almost unbearable, living as I do among people who hate, lie and slander at every opportunity. But it is for the Lord to call us to follow Him into that harvest field, and I hope He calls us there every day. Therein is life, and without end.Ρωμανός ~ Romanóshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00212143017939554092noreply@blogger.com