I guess when people view Jesus, they have different views of Him. Some say He is a republican, others a democrat. I've seen all kinds of movies and claims that Jesus was really a black man. White supremeists refuse to believe that He was really Jewish. Some say He was married; others that He never really died on the cross. Was He never really anymore than a political figure? Historical figure? A figment of men's imaginations some two thousand years ago?
It's hard for me to admit, but lately I've been losing my faith in people. Fact is, the number one enemy to Christianity is not the devil or opposing forces. It's not the government or atheists. It's Christians. It's the people who really claim to be His, but don't know how to act like it. I often find myself in this boat myself. I don't often know how my behavior badly reflects on Jesus, but it does. We don't realize that those we are trying to reach are watching our lives very carfully and asks themselves...why do I want that? Really what they're saying is, "Why do I want Jesus? Look at the way that Christian is living! You're telling me that's a better life? A better way? That's salvation?"
I've encountered countless people in my life who were turned off to Christ because of the way other Christians have treated him or her. And for those who don't think it's a big deal...its a HUGE deal! We're talking about someone else's salvation! They gave it a shot but was humilated and torn down because they were different. I remember one night our church was having an all-nighter for the youth group. I was a leader in those days so I tagged along. We went to a sports complex place and there was an indoor track where I decided to take a few laps. It wasn't long before some of the teens joined me. I was introduced to a nice young girl who only came to the youth outing because a friend invited her. I got to talking to this girl who told me that she didn't believe in Christ. The reason was because a few years before, she tried to go to church and get involved in a youth group, but the church kicked her out because she dressed a little different. She was a goth and wore all black. So they didn't allow her to be part of "church". They didn't accept her long enough to teach her about the real nature of Christ and let her worship with them.
Is that really the way Christ is? You can't worship with us because you're not like us? You dress a little differently. My wonderful church back home in Michigan has a biker group and they often have biker days where they invite bikers to church and teach them about Christ. On these biker Sundays, it's not uncommon to see the whole auditorium full of rough bikers wearing their leather and chaps. One Sunday a group of bikers got a little lost and accidentally walked into the wrong church. That church didn't even let them in the building. Is that really who Christ is? Unless you wear suit and tie, don't bother coming?
See, we don't realize it, but us Christians are telling the world who this Jesus guy really is. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? Go into all the world preaching the gospel? We're doing that all right...but what we're telling people is that He doesn't accept anyone different than who's in our little cliques. He doesn't accpet you if you wear black clothing. He doesn't accept you unless you're sinless and pure. He doesn't want anything to do with you unless you own a nice suit or dress to wear to church. See, this is what we're teaching people about Christ.
Whether you like it or not, you are His ambassador and the way you treat others reflects on the way others see Christ. I started a forum not too long back and I invited a few friends to join that forum and help us get it started. You would be amazed how many people said they didn't want to have any part of it because someone they didn't like was there. Are you telling me that we as Christians can't get past our petty little differences? We can't let the love of Christ and the light of His message break into the darkness over some stupid little thing? Believe it or not, Christ loves THAT person as much as He loves you.
So who is this Jesus person really? Don't believe what you see from "Christians." Jesus is the one who paid the price for our sins. He accepted death so we can have life. I really deserve the crown of thorns upon my head, but Christ took it for me. I should be the one nailed down to the cross and have to suffer there, but Christ stepped into my place. The blood that was shed should really be mine, but it's not. Rather than shun you for your sin, Christ meets you where you are. He's the one who really holds your hand and takes you into His arms. He's the one who pulls you out of muck of life and gives you a second and third and forth and fifth chance. This Jesus person really loves you and doesn't care what you look like. He doesn't care the color of your skin or whether you're fat or skinny. He doesn't care if you wear dark clothes, light clothes or no clothes at all. Christ doesn't see you any differently because you sin. He already took away that sin. When man turned his back on me, Christ was left standing there with His hand out ready to help. That's who Christ really is.
It's hard for me to admit, but lately I've been losing my faith in people. Fact is, the number one enemy to Christianity is not the devil or opposing forces. It's not the government or atheists. It's Christians. It's the people who really claim to be His, but don't know how to act like it. I often find myself in this boat myself. I don't often know how my behavior badly reflects on Jesus, but it does. We don't realize that those we are trying to reach are watching our lives very carfully and asks themselves...why do I want that? Really what they're saying is, "Why do I want Jesus? Look at the way that Christian is living! You're telling me that's a better life? A better way? That's salvation?"
I've encountered countless people in my life who were turned off to Christ because of the way other Christians have treated him or her. And for those who don't think it's a big deal...its a HUGE deal! We're talking about someone else's salvation! They gave it a shot but was humilated and torn down because they were different. I remember one night our church was having an all-nighter for the youth group. I was a leader in those days so I tagged along. We went to a sports complex place and there was an indoor track where I decided to take a few laps. It wasn't long before some of the teens joined me. I was introduced to a nice young girl who only came to the youth outing because a friend invited her. I got to talking to this girl who told me that she didn't believe in Christ. The reason was because a few years before, she tried to go to church and get involved in a youth group, but the church kicked her out because she dressed a little different. She was a goth and wore all black. So they didn't allow her to be part of "church". They didn't accept her long enough to teach her about the real nature of Christ and let her worship with them.
Is that really the way Christ is? You can't worship with us because you're not like us? You dress a little differently. My wonderful church back home in Michigan has a biker group and they often have biker days where they invite bikers to church and teach them about Christ. On these biker Sundays, it's not uncommon to see the whole auditorium full of rough bikers wearing their leather and chaps. One Sunday a group of bikers got a little lost and accidentally walked into the wrong church. That church didn't even let them in the building. Is that really who Christ is? Unless you wear suit and tie, don't bother coming?
See, we don't realize it, but us Christians are telling the world who this Jesus guy really is. Isn't that what we're supposed to do? Go into all the world preaching the gospel? We're doing that all right...but what we're telling people is that He doesn't accept anyone different than who's in our little cliques. He doesn't accpet you if you wear black clothing. He doesn't accept you unless you're sinless and pure. He doesn't want anything to do with you unless you own a nice suit or dress to wear to church. See, this is what we're teaching people about Christ.
Whether you like it or not, you are His ambassador and the way you treat others reflects on the way others see Christ. I started a forum not too long back and I invited a few friends to join that forum and help us get it started. You would be amazed how many people said they didn't want to have any part of it because someone they didn't like was there. Are you telling me that we as Christians can't get past our petty little differences? We can't let the love of Christ and the light of His message break into the darkness over some stupid little thing? Believe it or not, Christ loves THAT person as much as He loves you.
So who is this Jesus person really? Don't believe what you see from "Christians." Jesus is the one who paid the price for our sins. He accepted death so we can have life. I really deserve the crown of thorns upon my head, but Christ took it for me. I should be the one nailed down to the cross and have to suffer there, but Christ stepped into my place. The blood that was shed should really be mine, but it's not. Rather than shun you for your sin, Christ meets you where you are. He's the one who really holds your hand and takes you into His arms. He's the one who pulls you out of muck of life and gives you a second and third and forth and fifth chance. This Jesus person really loves you and doesn't care what you look like. He doesn't care the color of your skin or whether you're fat or skinny. He doesn't care if you wear dark clothes, light clothes or no clothes at all. Christ doesn't see you any differently because you sin. He already took away that sin. When man turned his back on me, Christ was left standing there with His hand out ready to help. That's who Christ really is.
