Clothed with Grace: Getting Real

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Getting Real

I recently had a conversation with someone about Christians. What I mean by that is, they had numerous experiences in which they'd felt Christians were being hypocrites. They knew God to be a God of love, so why were all these Christians acting in ways which didn't seem loving?

This really caused me to think, and think hard. So today, I want to talk to two groups of people: those who call yourselves Christians and those you don't. I am so far from perfect, but here's what's on my mind:

To you who call yourselves Christians:

Once we accept Jesus as our Savior our lives should look differently than they did before. Spending daily time with God and others who share our beliefs should impact us.  Galations 5: 22-23 says: "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

The fruit of the spirit are signs that God is alive in us and moving us into a better life than the one we had before. If we claim to be Christians, we better do our best to live like it. Now that doesn't mean we aren't going to make mistakes, because we are.....everyday, but it does me we should be doing our best to emulate Christ. We become ambassadors of Christ to each person we meet, and our actions and words are either going to show the love of God and Jesus, or not. 

I don't know about you, but this seems to be a pretty tall order to mr: to show God's love to everyone we meet, but what if our kind words and actions draw another person closer to knowing God? What if our bad attitude draws them further away and proves their previous thought that all Christians are hypocrites?

Now, I don't think we all need to walk around excusing personal sin, but I have never had an experience in which someone has come to know God because I've pointed out what a horrible, sinning, person they are. It's been because I've shown them love and genuinely shown an interest in who they are and their life.  Let God reveal their sins to them, I'm not so sure that's our job.

Now, to you who don't consider yourselves to be Christians:

I am so sorry that you may feel "Christians" have let you down or been hypocrites. I know that are many times in my life where I've had good intentions, but have definitely said or done things that didn't show God's love. We all mess up, we all make mistakes, which is why I'm thankful for a God who forgives. I hope you won't shut the door on knowing who God is, because we humans have messed up. Even though we fail God doesn't. Have any questions? Shoot me an email.


Ok, so this outfit seemed like a really good idea when I put it on, but man, it's gotten hot outside! I ended switching to shorts before I left the house. I do love this new maternity tank top I scored in stores for $3! I think it'll even work after I'm pregnant, which is a bonus. This cardigan from Target is also one of my favorite things, it comes in a ton of colors, so I think I might need to add another one to my closet for this fall. Although this outfit probably didn't make a lot of sense for July, I'll definitely be wearing it again when school starts!



I got this Margaret Elizabeth necklace in my newest Rocksbox and it's really pretty and delicate. It's a bit more expensive then I'd usually spend on a necklace, but I'll definitely enjoy wearing it until it's time to send my box back. This is the last month you an use the code "newfavoriteoutfitxox" to try out Rocksbox for free for a month, if you haven't yet, I'd definitely try it while you can!


Cardigan: Merona same
Tank: Old Navy  same 
Jeans: Liz Lange same
Necklace  Margaret Elizabeth same c/o Rocksbox (Get a free for a month when you sign up with the code "newfavoriteoutfitxoxo.") 
Wedges: Aerosoles c/o Chippmunk same


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11 comments:

  1. I couldn't wear this outfit in the current weather either, but it's cute so you should definitely plan to wear it later!

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  2. I couldn't wear this outfit in the current weather either, but it's cute so you should definitely plan to wear it later!

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  3. The print of your top is too cute, and I love the layered necklaces!

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  4. You're such a light in my life regarding Christians and I'm thankful for your thoughts on subjects such as these. I'm not there (yet...!), because I just can't reconcile all the non-Christian things I see Christian groups doing and the ways I see the bible being perverted for personal and political gain. I just...can't. I can't join their ranks even though now I firmly believe there is something bigger than us out there, which is a huge leap in and of itself for someone who has identified as an atheist her whole life. It's so sad to me to KNOW that on an individual level, the vast majority of Christians are good, kind, loving people, but as a group, it's a very hard reality to swallow with regards to the agendas that are being pushed and the rights "they" want to take from us.

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  5. I think that this is a really interesting post, Ginny! I feel like I have seen a range of Christians in regards to the way that they (we) treat others. I grew-up as a Christian but my family didn't attend church. For this reason, I have experienced judgements coming from other Christians. I think that these Christians, though, have lost sight of living a life of love and not of judgement. I think Christians who really mean well and care for others don't push people away from religion the way that the previous group I mentioned could. That's just my two cents :)

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  6. This is such an effortless summer look, I love white denim with anything! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this issue too.
    Marta
    www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com

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  7. I like the added green necklace - great look! When I had Rocksbox, most of the items were higher priced point too and not something I want to spend on costume jewelry. It's a fun concept but I was always worried about losing the jewelry.

    Alice
    www.happinessatmidlife.com

    Would love for you to stop by & join TBT Fashion link up

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  8. It's too hot around here to wear anything but shorts, skirts, and dresses! No layers allowed! I can't decide if it's really that hot, or I'm just being a whiney pregnant lady ;) Either way, you should definitely save this outfit for rotation in the fall!

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  9. Your last paragraph toward Christians sums up my feelings a lot. They will know we are Christians from our love.

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  10. Ginny, what a powerful post! I love the message :) Looking great as always lady! Would love for you to stop by my latest post!

    xo, Jessica || The Petite Diaries

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  11. KEEP that necklace! I got it (and kept it!) last set and wear it constantly. It's beautiful!

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