This was the title (I think) of a Time magazine article I was reading. It discussed the results of two polls taken about people's perceptions of Christians. One was taken about 15 years ago, the other only a few years ago. The recent poll showed a much more negative view of Christians. The main complaints were that Christians are perceived to be anti-homosexual, hypocritical, and judgmental. Most of those polled did not attribute those same things to Jesus. Over half of the Christians polled also listed hypocrisy as a complaint.
What do you think, dear reader? (Since I'm pretty sure I don't have more than one.) I would have to agree with the majority of those who responded. Let me explain. The Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin. The Bible also clearly teaches that pride, lust, greed, gossip, hating your brother, and far too many other things to list are also sin. Why do Christians tend to build pedestals to look down on others and point fingers? I think we are just good at deceiving ourselves about our own sinfulness.
I am a better person than no one. It has taken me all of about 20 years as a Christian to come to the point where I realize that despite my desire to be otherwise, I am simply a sinner. Do I aim to be a sinner? No. But I've come to see that the struggle against the flesh is truly the "yoke that neither we nor our forefathers were able to bear." I can see that without a Savior, I am completely without hope.
What's the bottom line? Shouldn't we proclaim the Good News to all? Jesus Christ died as a sacrifice for ALL of US sinners. EVERYONE who believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. I believe that repentance simply means that we understand and accept the fact that we are sinners, that we realize that we are lost. I think that goes hand in hand with believing that Christ did what we are unable to do, and that through faith we partake in His righteousness. He now stands as a mediator between us and God. The cry of Job in Job 9:33 is answered "Neither is there any daysman (mediator) betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both."
Dear reader, if you are a sinner, whether you are a murderer, rapist, child-molester, Satan worshipper, or a prideful person who thinks you are better than any of these, then you are separated from God without Jesus Christ. If you don't believe in God, then I would encourage you to read the Bible. If you don't believe the Bible is true, well, then I guess I don't know where else to start. But if you do believe the Bible, then you must believe that there is coming a day when God will judge the world. Don't go to court as your own counsel! Jesus Christ has already paid the fine for all who believe in him. I hope that you will consider the words of Jesus, "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
this dear reader thinks that Christians may have only ourselves to blame for the general population's dim view. When I read stories & examples from the Bible, I get a much more "daily life" view of Christianity than the modern pattern, which according to the general public is mostly high-faluting hogwash. I can see their point. I also blame tradition: old English church, Quakers, etc, which I feel certain lots that modern traditions are built on. There is little Biblical precedence for the way we do things. I'm really just rambling here. Maybe I can gather my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, what I was going to say is that instead of worrying over forms & traditions, what the lost person (I favor thinking of the lost as individuals rather than "the world". An individual, I can do something about) what a lost person needs, is for me to be really real. all the time. same person on Sunday morning as every other minute of the week (which changes the Sun. morning persona as much as the other). The other thing that I've come to know & understand so much in the last few years is the Full & Complete Reality of the Holy Spirit in Me. This is so huge I feel like I'm the first to discover it, which of course, is silly. I think Christians sometimes approach the Bible as a self-help manual. I know I have. We gloss over passages that call for us to be "a servant, a vessel", & unfortunately, that is a great trap. Only when you give up & beg the Spirit to direct you will you begin to fill with the peace & confidence of salvation that will make your interactions with others naturally Spirit-led. thanks to RabidFrog for several excellent posts in this area. I share the on FB some.
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