THE MAGNITUDE OF YOUR ATTITUDE
We are all influenced by dozens of factors in our daily lives. Television and movies can impact our moral positions in life. Musicians and politicians vie for our attention to affect our perspective. But the greatest influencer in our lives is each other. People are most swayed by other people they know. We have the power to impact the choices another person makes. We can alter the path of someones life. We can change another person's world -- through our attitude.
We need to recognize the magnitude of our attitude. The daily conversations we have, the looks that we give one another, the the respect that we show each other. These things can all have a lasting impact on the lives of the people with whom you are living and doing life. So my question is: Do you truly want a better life for those you closest to you? If so, what are you doing to make that a reality?
We need to recognize the magnitude of our attitude. The daily conversations we have, the looks that we give one another, the the respect that we show each other. These things can all have a lasting impact on the lives of the people with whom you are living and doing life. So my question is: Do you truly want a better life for those you closest to you? If so, what are you doing to make that a reality?
posted by Tony at
7:11 AM
1 Comments:
I was participating in a group discussion earlier today, and the subject of illegal immigration came up. I voiced my opinion that we tend to lump all illegal immigrants together in a class of lawless takers, when in fact every one I had ever known personally was a hard working individual who selflessly supported multiple family members back home. Several persons disagreed with my point of view, and I made the statement that if my family were starving, and I could cross an invisible border to get work and support them, I would.
I should point out that I can be very defiant at times.
Later, someone privately reminded me of a crime committed, and that the perpetrator of the crime was an illegal immigrant, as were all the witnesses. No one would come forward for fear that they would be deported. At first I argued that the perpetrator was also male, yet no one was blaming all males for the crime. Weak arguement at best.
My patient friend pointed out that, had the laws been enforced, the perpetrator would not have been here to commit the crime. Not willing to give up easily, I continued to argue, and in fact re-stated my position that I would eagerly cross a border in the dead of night to work if not doing so would mean my family would go hungry. So my friend, again patiently, pointed out that I was, in fact, stating that I would sin in order to feed my family.
Being a relatively new Christian, but outspoken nonetheless, this question stopped me in my tracks. I have to admit that my position is based on BC thinking (Before Christ entered my life), and that even then it was not a well though out position at all, but based on a somewhat ignorant sense of “fair”. So now I have to think about the whole immigration issue much more thoroughly, and from a Christian perspective.
What is sin? In the broadest sense, it is “falling short of the Glory of God”. Guilty. But, I don’t sin intentionally to feed my family. Would I steal from another to feed my family? No. Would I speed down the highway, going 20 miles per hour faster than the speed limit if by doing so I could somehow insure my family was fed? Again, no. But do I ever go 20 miles per hour or more over the speed limit just because everybody else does, and to go the speed limit would be a minor inconvenience to me? Reluctantly I must say Yes, although I have been making a conscious effort to obey the speed limit at all times.
So here I am, re-evaluating my position on illegal immigration. I am also re-evaluating my position on sin.
The lessons I have learned today?
I don’t know everything.
I am not always right, no matter how deep my convictions.
I should always allow my convictions to be subject to review, if only to make sure they are worthy of conviction.
Discussion with Godly friends and Brothers and Sisters in Christ is a great tool in helping me understand my own thoughts, if I will only open my mind and listen.
Do I have it all figured out now?
No. But maybe, just maybe, one log has been removed from my eye today.
Thank you, Friend.
By
cliffmeister2000, at 9:42 PM
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