This morning, May 21, 2011, I posted this on Facebook. "Never one to take chances, though I doubt that Harold Camping is correct that today is the day of the Rapture, I am spending the day in plain sight (Wouldn't want Jesus to miss me.) sitting in a lawn chair in the back yard wearing a white robe (I want to fit in.) and a helmet with a orange flag on the top. If my neighbors notice, it will be a great opportunity to witness to them."
If you are living in this country and have a television you have heard that today, May 21, 2011, has been predicted by Harold Camping as the day of the Rapture. The day when those who have given their lives to God and become a part of His Kingdom, will be taken up in the moment of Jesus' return. I don't have an issue with the rapture. I would love to see it. I would love to be a part of it. It is goof balls like Camping I have problems with.
I posted on Facebook a note ridiculing the notion that today is the day of rapture. I did it because naming the date is ridiculous. But it also brings to mind a larger question. Why is it that so often Christians insist on doing the most unchristian things in the name of Christ? Jesus was very clear that we would not know the day and time of his return. "But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." (Matthew 24:36) So why have people set and proclaimed the date of Jesus' return over and over and over again? This Camping guy set the date earlier and obviously missed it (We are all still here.).
Jesus clearly and distinctly told his followers not to judge others. Christians are famous for being the most judgmental people on earth.
When asked to describe God, the Biblical writer just replied, "God is love." And often the God we Christians preach is a God of wrath and retribution.
Jesus gave us a very unambiguous command. Love one another. And then we Christians living in the same community can't even stand to go to worship together. We argue with and divide from other believers instead of holding one another close in loving relationships. And if you don't claim to be a believer we treat you like you have a dread disease.
Jesus said the most important command is to love God with everything we have. And then we don't even bother to go to worship once a week. Or give in support of the ministries of the church. Or read the Bible. Or pray. And then we claim to love God. Really?
If Jesus does return today, I believe the first thing he will do is lay his hands on the church and pray that we are healed of stupidity.
Copyright © 2011, William T. McConnell, All Rights Reserved.
No comments:
Post a Comment