A Struggle with Having a Bitter Theology!
There's no doubt that even as a Christian, even if the truth of 1 Corinthians 6:11 is true. Such was I before I was saved but, there is still sin. Romans 7:14-20 has Paul struggle with sin. Every Christian will struggle with sin. Even if a Christian may be living a decent life.. such a person may be giving to charity, doing good works as proof of salvation but one has to realize, being a branch has its struggles. Jesus talked about the need to prune the branches (John 15:1-8). The branches need pruning so the vine can bear much fruit.
One of the greatest problems in my life is bitterness. The old nature always has the desire to tempt me to be bitter. Being a Christian is not easy at all. Being a Christian means not expecting acceptance from the world (John 15:18-19, James 4:4). It's only natural for a saved person to reject gambling, homosexuality, adultery, pornography, hanging out with the worldly, to live like the rest of the world... but there are still sins that need to be tackled. Using Todd Friel's model of eternal security, a Christian enters into the Door that is Jesus Christ, the final destination is perfection. Yet the Christian is not yet there as stumbling happens. The flesh of the Christian is not redeemed... such persons are still subject to sickness, death and if they live long enough, old age. Growing old is proof that the flesh is not yet redeemed even if the lifestyle has changed.
One problem a Christian can get into is what I call bitter theology. Bitterness is a state of showing deep seated resentment. It means to hold on to something unpleasant. As I mentioned, Christians are not acceptable to the worldly standards. It means getting unjust persecution. They would rather release a deadly criminal over an innocent Christian who had done nothing wrong. Christians are criminalized all because they disagree with issues with same sex marriage. The world has a warped view of disagreement... for them every act of disagreement is that. They are vile under the guise of being liberal. It's only easy to get offended because of the flesh.
Based on personal experience, being called names is not an easy thing. Here's what I have observed within myself the effects of having a bitter theology:
1.) Bitter theology gives way to petty vendettas
While Christians have every right to pursue justice and to self-defense but bitter theology can twist the meanings of justice of self-defense. Just think how does a bitter theologian react? Bitter theologians may soon get mad at the lost sinners. Instead of showing a Christ-like attitude to confront sin, such people may do what is not allowable. For example, name calling is not a ground to hit anyone. However after being called names like "stupid", "faggot" and "idiot", a bitter theologian may go as far as to physically hurt the hurler of the insults or worse, engage in a fistfight. It makes one unforgiving never mind Jesus prayed for His enemies. I just had my thought that Jesus rebuked sin but He did not assault anybody who insulted Him at all, instead He prayed for them. My experience with bitterness had made me a fragile crybaby that is more than willing to stoop down to the level of the attacker.
2.) Bitter theology wastes time debating
Bitter theologians spend too much time debating. Failing to ignore 2 Timothy 2:16 which discourages debate, they go to proceed to debates. One of the worst problems in Christendom today is how some Independent Fundamental Baptists are spending time debating against unsaved apologists. One debate between a Catholic Faith Defender and Independent Fundamental Baptist was laughable. Neither side really made sense because of a lot of logical fallacies present. I remembered debating with a Roman Catholic apologist only for it to end up in a sour note. Instead of soulwinning, it became wasted in engaging in a useless battle. The whole debate was not worth it. Not only did I become an idiot during the whole debate, I also lost my cool when I smacked somebody's face. Debates do nothing more than ignite anger and fuel it to such a hot temperature.
3.) Bitter theology can take extreme actions against sin
Now no Christian should support anything ungodly, no questions asked. It's definitely a call to vigilance whenever something satanic pops up. Like break the Harry Potter DVD or anything occultic in your kid's room. However what is inappropriate is to take extreme action. While Christians should speak against homosexuality and the like, it's not okay to start a smear campaign. I admit I wanted to start an anti-homosexual rally by spraying them with a fire hose, assaulting them, leading a group of protesters Westboro Baptist style. It may even call to picket funerals. Such actions are just as bad as keeping silent about sin. If you must fight against sin, confront them out of love and concern, not by extreme actions. It made me also think that the whole idea of a public Koran burning will not win Muslims to Jesus. Heckling and picketing rock and roll concerts when they are in town won't bring the rock star or his fans to Jesus. Some evangelists chose to approach unsaved people in their privacy, without being violent and choosing to pray for such scoffers if they are rejected.
4.) Bitter theology ignores the blessedness of being wrongfully persecuted
Persecution was meant to make the Christian better, not bitter. In Matthew 5:10, Jesus called the blessedness for those who are wrongfully persecuted for Christianity. It was just like Nero. When Nero found out that the Christians refused to bend to his system, he framed them for a crime he himself committed against his own city. He blamed Christians for the fire he started in Rome. One must remember... being persecuted means great is the reward in Heaven. Earthly rewards will just go away. Having millions will just be spent, money can be robbed but the rewards in Heaven are eternal. I should even start getting concerned if the world starts to accept me. Being accepted by worldliness means going against the calling of the Christian. It soon entered my head so what if certain people will persecute me one corner to another. So what if those Arminians will start to call me a propagator of the heresy of Antinomianism? So what if anti-Catholic cults will accuse me of being a Jesuit operative or a secret Jesuit? I know the truth of who I am. In fact, let them continue but as I can say, "You can talk about me all that you please, I'll be praying for you when I'm on my knees, all my sins are washed away, I've been redeemed!"