Criticism and Affirmation

If you've read any number of the somewhat substantive posts on this blog I'm sure you've picked up on the fact I lean more toward the criticism side of the fence. To be honest it is a little more than a lean. You could probably describe it as a full fledged encampment on the critical side of the fence only ever so often glancing over in the direction of the affirmation side.

Why?

That's a very good question and one that I've been asking myself lately. Am I critical because I love truth and hate error? Or maybe it is because there are too many weak and cowardly men that refuse to stand for what is right and call error error? I wish I could answer so righteously and courageously to say yes without reservation. But I cannot.

I do love truth and hate error, and I do think there too many weak and cowardly men. But I am one of the cowards. I am overly critical because it is easier to take a stand against something than it is to take a stand for something.

So I cower because of my ignorance and lack of faith. To all the men who may read this I pray that we will not just stand against something but that we'll also fight and affirm what is right and holy and good.

Ignorance or Apathy?

The recent post over at Contend Earnestly has encouraged me to post again. Seth admits to having a bit of a dry spell physically and spiritually. I can definitely relate to that.

The biggest problems for me are the two things in the title of this post. And the funny thing is that God used a sports radio show to point that out to me. The radio show has several intros and outros with the famous voice over movie guy or at least it sounds like him. Anyway, the one that got my attention went like this...

"Which is worse ignorance or apathy? Here at the Finebaum radio network we don't know and we don't care..."

I laughed at first because I thought it was pretty clever. But then the ole conviction started kicking in. I realized that described me better than it did a sports talk show. I just wanted to confess that and say that the Spirit is working in me and changing me slowly but surely for His glory and my good.

Confession

I guess I should confess about how critical I am. I have blogged recently about things that have griped me, and quite honestly I'm sure I will again-probably tomorrow. But while I won't confess that pointing out errors is necessarily wrong I will confess that the heart and tone of recent posts have been less than loving. I am a critical know-it-all arrogant jerk and for that I confess.

I wish that my posts could be more engaging. And I wish that I could articulate the greatness and the glory and the love of Christ with each blog post. But I haven't. And I can't. At least not now. (Honestly, this second wish should be in front of the first one but I guess this is just a great reminder of how much I'm in need of a Savior because I'd wish to be a good writer or have people like what I write rather than to glorify the Lord) I know one sweet day will come when all of His people will be able to worship and magnify His name as perfectly as possible for that is why we were made. And I won't have to confess anymore about my bad attitude or any of my crap. I will be able to finally articulate and live out the love of Christ in all that I say and do.