Do you ever feel judged? Do you feel like you don't live up to the standards of the people around you? I have heard many people answer yes to these questions. They feel stifled. They feel unconnected. And they blame all of that on the "legalists". People just judge them too much.
The problem is not what others think. The problem is that the heart of that individual is focused inward rather than outward. We would much rather be the victim than critically think about how we present ourselves or how we are reflecting Christ (or if we even do reflect Him). But I think the biggest problem is that we assume that the people around us are judging us. I fully believe that 90% if the time that we think someone is judging us it is really just an unfounded assumption.
I have interacted with many different kinds I believers and when I was around people that hold modesty as a value I realized that all of my thoughts of them judging me were truly unfounded. These people held those values for themselves and were not pushing them on me. Now I know that they weren't judging me, most of the time they couldn't care less. And yet I was being hateful toward them because of my own pride. And that is what it is...pride.
I have heard these "judged" people treat the "legalists" in unchristian like ways. Do you know what they do? They judge them right back! How inconsistent is that? They tout one of their favorite slogans..."thou shalt not wear skirts". Because that is what gives them meaning. This is where they, instead of looking at their heart, they look to their neighbors heart. I have often said things like..."They are too stuffy", "They just need to focus on the bible more", "Why can't they just love more?" What a messed up perspective. So instead of serving others and thinking critically, we focus on others problems and raise ourselves above others. That is truly the opposite of living in Christ.
Please don't get me wrong. Both sides have faults and both sides have fruit. I respect the fact that this "legalistic" group has strong convictions and you rarely see them stray from that. I appreciate that they study the bible devoutly. I do worry that it is a close step to legalism. I have not seen that happen yet though. I respect that the "judged" group is passionate about their faith. I appreciate that they constantly point me to the joy in Christ when I tend to look at just the duty. I do worry that a life lived too close to that edge will result in shallow faith. I like to learn from each group as I try and find the even middle place.
For me that looks like contentment in where I am at, spending time with God daily, wearing clothes that I and my Mom find modest and continuing to challenge my passion and convictions in Christ. I don't expect the same thing from everyone. But I do hope that we can dispense with the "Thou shalt nots" that don't exist in the law of the bible.
The problem is not what others think. The problem is that the heart of that individual is focused inward rather than outward. We would much rather be the victim than critically think about how we present ourselves or how we are reflecting Christ (or if we even do reflect Him). But I think the biggest problem is that we assume that the people around us are judging us. I fully believe that 90% if the time that we think someone is judging us it is really just an unfounded assumption.
I have interacted with many different kinds I believers and when I was around people that hold modesty as a value I realized that all of my thoughts of them judging me were truly unfounded. These people held those values for themselves and were not pushing them on me. Now I know that they weren't judging me, most of the time they couldn't care less. And yet I was being hateful toward them because of my own pride. And that is what it is...pride.
I have heard these "judged" people treat the "legalists" in unchristian like ways. Do you know what they do? They judge them right back! How inconsistent is that? They tout one of their favorite slogans..."thou shalt not wear skirts". Because that is what gives them meaning. This is where they, instead of looking at their heart, they look to their neighbors heart. I have often said things like..."They are too stuffy", "They just need to focus on the bible more", "Why can't they just love more?" What a messed up perspective. So instead of serving others and thinking critically, we focus on others problems and raise ourselves above others. That is truly the opposite of living in Christ.
Please don't get me wrong. Both sides have faults and both sides have fruit. I respect the fact that this "legalistic" group has strong convictions and you rarely see them stray from that. I appreciate that they study the bible devoutly. I do worry that it is a close step to legalism. I have not seen that happen yet though. I respect that the "judged" group is passionate about their faith. I appreciate that they constantly point me to the joy in Christ when I tend to look at just the duty. I do worry that a life lived too close to that edge will result in shallow faith. I like to learn from each group as I try and find the even middle place.
For me that looks like contentment in where I am at, spending time with God daily, wearing clothes that I and my Mom find modest and continuing to challenge my passion and convictions in Christ. I don't expect the same thing from everyone. But I do hope that we can dispense with the "Thou shalt nots" that don't exist in the law of the bible.