Following years of painstaking research, I've come to the conclusion that there's one group of people who are least likely to truly and fully accept the message of Christ's love for all of us:Christians.
O.K. Fine. It's not actually following years of painstaking research. Rather, it comes from mere observation and experience. Now, being an evangelical Christian myself, it's pretty tough to come to this realization. His love for us is so overwhelming, so complete, so all-encompassing, so unfailing, that He actually died for us. It's an amazing message, and I've discovered it's one that is actually received fairly well by those who don't claim to be Christians.
They don't struggle with Christ. They struggle with Christians.
It would be so much easier for people to believe in and live out the love of Jesus Christ if His followers were more consistently living out His message. Christianity is famous for delivering a message that it's not a religion, but rather a relationship. And yet, the message sent out is one of exclusivity - a privileged club that only some get to belong to, and that many can get kicked out of.
"I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Love. Just love. Make it the favorite, make it the focus, and the relationship with The Big Guy will actually flourish.
While calling myself "just a sinner saved by grace" is inadequate in itself, there is truth to the cliche. I'll never be like Christ before my death, and my lack of Christlikeness shows my need for a savior. Throughout the Bible, God's chosen people, as well as Christ's new testament followers were constantly falling short. And that's the point, right? We all fall short of the glory of God.
ReplyDeleteSomehow it would be nice to communicate to non-Christians that judging the truth of the gospel by the quality of its followers is a poor standard of judgment. Truth was true long before I was me and you were you.
There is also a lot of truth in your post. Most Christians suck at being Christians. Sadly, many who label themselves as such, are not such. And it isn't helping the advancement of the gospel.
My last thought: let's not forget the role of God's sovereignty and power of the Holy Spirit. Kinda takes me out of the equation altogether. Maybe.
Great post. Convicting.