Another Day

As I reflect on this generation and the coming ones, it is obvious that decisions and perceptions are patterned after the modernised culture of instant gratification. It is the wanting of satisfaction to be immediate (e.g. fast food, fast transactions, fast communications). There seems to be a mentality that satisfaction that is delayed is not worth pursuing for it is not guaranteable. One would rather be risk-adversed in personal satisfaction, and this can be seen partially in the blooming world of credit card usage. Why is there a readily acceptance of credit card financing in our world today? It is because satisfaction must be fulfilled first. Thus, the notion of working first for a long term benefit (deferred gratification), where the payoff is much later, seems foreign.

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The right to freedom of speech is a fundamental right that is given to mankind. That does not mean that a person is free from any repercussions or consequences that ensues the articulation of speech. You can say anything you want. But that also means that, you should receive anything that comes out of it. If what you say offends, be prepared to be offended. This freedom of speech cannot supercede the freedom to live, of course. There must be a balanced battlefield for those who are at war.

Why am I bringing this up? Because I find that Christians ought to understand the point of view of the other person in our reasoning and persuading of the Gospel. The Reformed, Evangelical, Protestant, Christian faith is not one that seeks blind belief. No, we are to be most pitied if such is the case. Paul makes that clear concerning the Resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). I cannot agree nor do I advocate a belief that does not have a real basis for conviction. That basis has to be tested and experienced. It cannot be merely intellectual (without implications) and cannot be merely experiential (without logic). What a Christian ought to do when he or she understands where the other person is (in all aspects or most – spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual, etc.) is to bring him or her to our position. That means there are many hurdles that you need to overcome.

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