Start the Conversation
We never know the minds of others, we are never to assume their thoughts or intentions without pursuing the duty of reaching out.
As Christians, we are given special responsibilities in this world.
These responsibilities are labeled in the beatitudes of being:
- poor in spirit,
- meek,
- thirsting for righteous,
- merciful,
- pure in heart,
- peacemakers.
All of these responsibilities boil into two great commandments left by our Lord, love God and love others.
All too often we find a norm in the world and in various parts of the church of Jesus with people claiming to be loving, yet they are all too assuming of others.
To assume is to decide the intents, thoughts, and purposes of others without direct communication.
In the world, this is far too common and leads to misunderstanding and unnecessary fallouts.
In the church, this is far too dangerous and leads to ungodliness, gossip, and a lack of respect for the responsibilities which are given to us by Christ.
There are two places which I see this act of assumption take place the most in the church:
- in the minds of Christians while interacting with a stranger in public
- and between two Christians in the same church body over a minor dispute.
There are stereotypes of Christians amongst unbelievers including, but not limited to, we despise people with tattoos and refuse to interact with people in immodest outfits.
While these stereotypes are said and while they may not be true for the majority of the church, there is a dangerous amount of assumption surrounding these topics.
There is assumption from the world to the believer and there is often assumption from the believer to the unbeliever.
We often find ourselves thinking, “they won’t want to hear the message, they have a certain tattoo or style.”
We should never assume people to Hell. Make every effort to reach the world, the lost, the unknown.
Start the conversation.
Make the impact.
Always remember, “I don’t know their story, let me tell them mine.”
The other place of assumption is within the church. We have a special privilege and command in our brotherhood and sisterhood of the church body that we must use!!!!
That is communication.
Never assume the thoughts of your fellow Christian, love always, seek the Lord, start the conversation.
When we fail to do this, we spark division and we set an example of disunity for the world watching us.
We are to be humble, meek, patient, kind.
While we shall fail and never be able to be perfect in these fields, die to yourself and choose them.
Bearing your cross and being crucified with Christ is not the easy road, but it’s what He did for us and it’s what we are all called too. I promise that if you start the conversation, you will see communication, and communication with listening brings peace.
