Have you ever seen someone through your ears? Judged a book by the cover? Sure, we all have. Phycologist say we primarily do this to simplify our large social world. I was thinking about this recently and started to wonder that in our efforts to simplify are we really complicating things?
When I say I’m a Christian you immediately flip back through your rolodex of previous experiences with people who have declared the same. Maybe you think about the nice neighbor you grew up next to and how she was always so friendly. Or possibly your mind conjures up images of the side walk extremist ranting about hell. Either way I am grouped with a much larger body when I identify myself as a Christian.
Growing up in a small town your last name could make or break you. What your family was notorious for was assumed to run in the blood line. The Christian family has a reputation too. We are followers of Jesus but are we [known] for being like him or do we flippantly just state this fact. We want to be like him without making any noticeable changes. Seems like getting a gym membership without ever lifting a weight. You won’t notice a change until you do some heavy lifting.
I know people who choose not to go to church or practice any religion. The reasons why are personal and vary. I know people who are, or were in church and they talk about leaving or have left.
Why?
Maybe Gandhi was dead on when he said, “I like your Jesus, but not your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
I’m gonna get super real on you - I went to church most of my life looking for what I could take not what I could contribute. I came to take. Jesus came to give.
I can remember thinking all throughout college and even after --- when I get into my 30’s I’ll stop partying and running with the crowd. That’s when I’ll get serious about my faith. This nonverbal, cerebral commitment was amazingly enough followed through as at the age of 29, I did in fact get serious. I was fed up just going to church and not being any different. I wanted more. I prayed for more.
I walked into my current church in Southwest Detroit, two months before I turned the big 3-0. In and through my experiences there I have found Jesus to be real. I love and adore him. The big game changer for me was in this place I met people who didn’t talk a big talk but lived for the action! A lot of churches have Jesus hanging on the walls but in my church he shines out of the people through their words and love. These people are real and accepted me right where I was. They saw my potential and inspired me to run towards it, towards him.
If I’m being honest, before I was on this side of the fence I had a lot of opinions about Christians too. Funny when the shades come off and you see the sun for the first time you are amazed by its light. Or should I say see the [Son] for the first time.
Gandhi may have had all sorts of reasons for his comment above but I agree for one main reason. Christians know the past is forgiven but then we turn around and forsake others for the way they live. We have to stop shaking our fingers in people’s faces and give them what they really need a hug, a smile. To mushy? Maybe.
Nevertheless, we are called to speak truth and stir others to live for Jesus not curse them for choices they’ve made. They are more than likely at church because they feel bad about these choices and are looking for more. So let’s give them more.
In the book of Romans, Paul says “Why do you judge your brother or why do you look down on your brother? Remember one day we will all stand before God.” Interesting point Paul. Maybe you are more familiar with John’s account of Jesus saying, “Him without sin cast the first stone.” Yet we stand on our self - built pillars of righteousness and throw out stones all day long. Maybe we should just show each other kindness and let God do the rest.
I’m tired of what’s going on in our world. I’m concerned about what my culture values because it’s usually things and rarely people outside their inner circle.
Christians are supposed to be the light but are we even flickering?
My life, our lives as Christians should be the walking – living proof that we follow Jesus. We should be recognizable by our actions. I’m not saying we should be doormats, after all Jesus wasn’t a pushover by any means but he did everything out of love.
The difference in me now and me a few years ago isn’t vastly different but I think differently and every day I get closer and closer to the goal. I want to be the person that welcomes you in and makes you feel accepted and not condemned. I want you to know the truth, that you are dearly loved. I want you to believe that not every Christian is judgmental or going to yell at you from a street corner about the impending future. I want you to know that if you ask God – he will open a door for you.
Maybe you don’t agree. Maybe this is still all nonsense to you. After all it’s far easier to assume and judge the book by it’s cover than to open it up and read the words written inside.
When I say I’m a Christian you immediately flip back through your rolodex of previous experiences with people who have declared the same. Maybe you think about the nice neighbor you grew up next to and how she was always so friendly. Or possibly your mind conjures up images of the side walk extremist ranting about hell. Either way I am grouped with a much larger body when I identify myself as a Christian.
Growing up in a small town your last name could make or break you. What your family was notorious for was assumed to run in the blood line. The Christian family has a reputation too. We are followers of Jesus but are we [known] for being like him or do we flippantly just state this fact. We want to be like him without making any noticeable changes. Seems like getting a gym membership without ever lifting a weight. You won’t notice a change until you do some heavy lifting.
I know people who choose not to go to church or practice any religion. The reasons why are personal and vary. I know people who are, or were in church and they talk about leaving or have left.
Why?
Maybe Gandhi was dead on when he said, “I like your Jesus, but not your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
I’m gonna get super real on you - I went to church most of my life looking for what I could take not what I could contribute. I came to take. Jesus came to give.
I can remember thinking all throughout college and even after --- when I get into my 30’s I’ll stop partying and running with the crowd. That’s when I’ll get serious about my faith. This nonverbal, cerebral commitment was amazingly enough followed through as at the age of 29, I did in fact get serious. I was fed up just going to church and not being any different. I wanted more. I prayed for more.
I walked into my current church in Southwest Detroit, two months before I turned the big 3-0. In and through my experiences there I have found Jesus to be real. I love and adore him. The big game changer for me was in this place I met people who didn’t talk a big talk but lived for the action! A lot of churches have Jesus hanging on the walls but in my church he shines out of the people through their words and love. These people are real and accepted me right where I was. They saw my potential and inspired me to run towards it, towards him.
If I’m being honest, before I was on this side of the fence I had a lot of opinions about Christians too. Funny when the shades come off and you see the sun for the first time you are amazed by its light. Or should I say see the [Son] for the first time.
Gandhi may have had all sorts of reasons for his comment above but I agree for one main reason. Christians know the past is forgiven but then we turn around and forsake others for the way they live. We have to stop shaking our fingers in people’s faces and give them what they really need a hug, a smile. To mushy? Maybe.
Nevertheless, we are called to speak truth and stir others to live for Jesus not curse them for choices they’ve made. They are more than likely at church because they feel bad about these choices and are looking for more. So let’s give them more.
In the book of Romans, Paul says “Why do you judge your brother or why do you look down on your brother? Remember one day we will all stand before God.” Interesting point Paul. Maybe you are more familiar with John’s account of Jesus saying, “Him without sin cast the first stone.” Yet we stand on our self - built pillars of righteousness and throw out stones all day long. Maybe we should just show each other kindness and let God do the rest.
I’m tired of what’s going on in our world. I’m concerned about what my culture values because it’s usually things and rarely people outside their inner circle.
Christians are supposed to be the light but are we even flickering?
My life, our lives as Christians should be the walking – living proof that we follow Jesus. We should be recognizable by our actions. I’m not saying we should be doormats, after all Jesus wasn’t a pushover by any means but he did everything out of love.
The difference in me now and me a few years ago isn’t vastly different but I think differently and every day I get closer and closer to the goal. I want to be the person that welcomes you in and makes you feel accepted and not condemned. I want you to know the truth, that you are dearly loved. I want you to believe that not every Christian is judgmental or going to yell at you from a street corner about the impending future. I want you to know that if you ask God – he will open a door for you.
Maybe you don’t agree. Maybe this is still all nonsense to you. After all it’s far easier to assume and judge the book by it’s cover than to open it up and read the words written inside.