Chapters 8-9

I have found that my faith often becomes the thing on which I base the beliefs of others. If someone thinks differently from me, I can sometimes become suspicious or judgmental. As Cleveland points out in these chapters, this is a dangerous line of thought. As Christians, it is important that we are sharing the word of Christ while at the same time being a good example to everyone that we come in contact with. No one is going to want to listen to us if we are interacting with them using a judgmental attitude. My culture has a significant impact on me, whether I recognize it or not. Because of this, my faith is affected, and I can become shaped into something that society wants me to be. In order to avoid this, I will hold tightly to my faith, but in turn I may negatively act out towards others. Although this is not my intention, it can happen within multiple aspects of my life. Cleveland recognizes that this can often happen to believers and that we may respond in different ways. It is important that I am constantly evaluating my life and looking for things to improve upon, because I will always have aspects of my life that need to be shaped in a better way. 

Even though culture and relationships can blind us and cause us to live in negative ways, they can also open a door for positive interactions across societies. In order to do this, we need to become more open and transparent. This is not easy, but it is crucial for developing relationships that are rooted in Christ and what He wants for us. Everyone has stereotypes, but once we work on getting rid of those, we can successfully create a stronger community and unity in Christ. I know that I need to set larger goals for myself so that I can stay focused on what is really important. By doing this, I will be able to put all of my focus on God rather than he world. He is the One who is truly able to change me and make my heart more dedicated to Him. By having a strong and positive relationship with God, I can work with others in the best way possible. We are called to serve Him and other people, and that will help us grow in our faith. We can all work together to reach a better sense of unity, respect, and genuine love.