I Don’t Want to be a “Christian”
I ran across this video on Facebook Friday night. Around 11:30. I had just posted a status update about finally clearing out my inbox…managed to answer and reply to all of my email, file what needed filing and finally delete some things that were just taking up space. I’m down to two remaining emails, y’all. I feel liberated.
I was headed to bed, but I got sidetracked looking at one of my college roommates recent wedding photos. Don’t you love how Facebook allows us to see glimpses into people’s lives when we can’t be near the people we love? Anyway…as with any social media site, I somehow started jumping around from profile to profile; reading stalking and looking at photos, when a video caught my eye. I don’t do YouTube videos too terribly often, but this one got my attention. I’ve placed it below. Take a second to watch (it’s 3:00-ish minutes…I’m sure you can spare it and it’s worth it).
Preach.
Josh and I have talked about this very thing time and time again in our lives. This is a topic that gets me fired up and ready to start shouting. If I’d been in the room when someone started talking about this, I’d have been one of those women shouting hearty “Amens” and “Praise Jesus!”
I’ve been part of places where the moment you let your weakness show…admit to your shortcomings…let on that you aren’t perfect like Christian’s are “supposed” to be…everything changes. I’ve been on the receiving end of those judgmental stares. On the other side of the room when the whispers start. Been the brunt of an indirect but oh-so-obvious Facebook status.
It hurts.
And it’s wrong.
If you don’t know my story, let me give you a quick rundown:
I drank myself to the point in college where I should have ended up dead. Not only did I drink to an extent that I was an alcoholic at not even 20 years old, waking up hungover and spending the day itching for the evening when I’d party it up again, but I was also foolish with my choices…looking to hookup with whoever I could, whenever I could. Trying to find acceptance through popularity and doing what the “popular” girls did.
How I didn’t end up dead in an alcohol related car wreck or pregnant with an illegitimate child, is by God’s grace only. And it’s only by God’s grace that I’m still here and have reached the point in my life where I am comfortable sharing my mistakes and hoping that others learn from them.
But you know what? Those mistakes? Those stupid choices?
They don’t make me any less SAVED than anyone else.
We ALL have baggage. We all need grace.
If we didn’t, then the cross? The cross is meaningless.
I’m not bashing the church or saying we don’t need the church. God gave us the church-the body of believers we are supposed to come together with to worship and fellowship-as a gift. But, it’s been the church-the building, the body of believers thumping the scripture over people’s heads-that has led people away.
It’s the church that’s left me feeling many times over like I don’t want to be a Christian anymore.
Because as unfortunate as it is, “christianity” isn’t the same today as it was when Jesus Christ walked this earth.
Christianity isn’t a once a week (twice if you go on Wednesday’s) thing to just check off your list.
It’s not driving the most expensive car, to the most prestigious building, wearing the top of the line name brand clothes and sitting in the front row singing louder than anyone else, interjecting the “amen” in the right spot.
It’s not knowing or memorizing the most scripture or being able to understand Hebrew.
It’s not knowing the Books of the Bible or having the most verses highlighted on those tissue paper thin pages (Bonus points if you use something like the inductive method with all kinds of different colors, all coordinated in accordance to subject matter.)
It’s not looking the other direction when a brother or sister in Christ is struggling and needs your help. It’s not passing judgement or condemning someone over a bad choice or even a series of bad choices. Last time I read the Easter story, I’m pretty sure Peter denied Christ…not once, not twice, but three times.
Jesus rode a donkey. Not a Porsche. He wore a robe and sandals. Not Chanel and Jimmy Choo’s. He carried with Him the presence of the Almighty. Not a Michael Kors bag.
Jesus associated with the least of these so that we could have the greatest of his grace.
In fact Jesus was the least of these. Dig your Bible out and read-really read– about who Jesus was. Because he wasn’t who the churches seem be depicting him to be these days.
A church is fine. Going to church is fantastic. My family and I go every week.
But, who do you see in church? Your friends? Family members? People you associate with? Families that are part of the school attached to the church? Upstanding citizens of your city?
Do you see the least of these? Do you see the barstool type people? Do you see the broken, beaten and bruised souls that are all around us? Do you see the Vets holding the signs outside your local fast food place? Do you see the homeless man you always pass by, but manage to “turn the other cheek” to?
We aren’t too good to reach them. We aren’t too good to associate with them.
When did becoming a Christian…becoming a church member…take us from being ONE of the least of these, to thinking we were the BETTER of these?
The Bible tells us in the book of 1 John that all wrongdoing is sin (src).
Not some of it.
Not just a little bit of it.
ALL of it.
There’s no good sin and bad sin.
No right sin or wrong sin.
No little sin or big sin.
It’s ALL sin.
From that little white lie to the adultery. From stealing a pencil from your office (that wasn’t yours!) to murdering half a dozen people.
It all put Christ on the cross.
It all kept Christ on the cross.
And at the end of the day, when I stand before God at those pearly gates, I know that I will answer for the mistakes that I have made (and heaven knows there’s been a lot of them). I know that I will have to give an account of all the wrong doing in my life.
But when all of my transgressions are counted and the great and mighty Lord of Lords gets ready to place his verdict? I want to be sure that I hear him say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.”
If I have to be the “too good of these” to engage with the least of these, then how much like Jesus am I really?
Prostitutes.
Adulterers.
Tax collectors.
Lowly fishermen.
Shepherds who shot slingshots.
Blasphemers.
Thieves.
Murderers.
These don’t sound like the high society type to me.
And if associating with them makes me more like HIM…then that’s right where I want to be.
Because when Christianity becomes about being better than the ones who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ, then I don’t want to be a Christian anymore.
Have you ever been on the receiving end of a church’s (or Christians) criticism and judgment? How did you feel? Are you under the impression that that’s what Jesus Christ is like? If it is, I’d love talk to you more about who my God is and what he is really like!
Watching that video makes me want to be Christian more. The church is made up of people. Sin is the characteristic that is common among all people. Christians sin like every other person. We are convicted to forgive others and the cross of Jesus Christ is what allows us to overcome our sin and as the video says, we Christians are supposed to love: our neighbors, sinners, the person sitting next to us on the barstool and the pew at church. Not all churches condemn or judge others. Don’t make the same mistake and judge all Christians for the mistakes of a sinner that you met on a pew.
One of the best ministers I know once said ” we must not put our religious posture ahead of our religious practice.” What an excellent article you wrote to go with that!!
I have gone from church to church and all of them have looked at me with a condemning eye and judgmental attitude. I am covered from head to toe in tattoos but I am the type of person who will give the shirt off my back for those in need and the first to walk away from a conversation condemning someone else’s actions with a remark that you don’t know the situation and their sins are between them and God. God loves us all I am not accepted for who I am but I pray everyday that God will accept me for who I am and forgive me for my transgressions and I certainly don’t have time to worry about other people’s sins ans actions.
Hi Tracy
I am sorry for your experience, but I have a few comments. Firstly, not all churches will condemn you for your tattoos. My church in Las Vegas actually has a tattoo ministry. This ministry works wonders in Las Vegas, because tattoos are completely socially acceptable. Unfortunately, churches are full of sinners who are influenced by many cultural and social factors that have nothing to do with the Word.
Secondly, in the same way that you want people to accept you for who you are, it is also necessary to accept them with all of their faults and misconceptions. Churches are by definition full of sinners. Most churches are filled to the brim with folks who are guilty of the sin of pride and self-righteousness. Fortunately, thanks to the grace of God, they too will be saved just like you or I. It is only in heaven that we will all be cured of the foibles of the flesh. My personal feeling is that a real sign of trouble is when you walk into a church and everyone is perfect.
Finally, have you ever considered that God put you in that place for a reason. You may be exactly what that community of believers needs to move closer to Christ. Perhaps you have been sent there to lead them out of the dark and back into the light. I apologize for the cliches, I know this is much easier said than done, but never underestimate the power that Christ exerts when he works through his followers.
In the end please don’t stop searching, God has a place for each and everyone of his children and if you trust Him he will place exactly where he want you to be, even if that place is not what you expected.
Thank you!!! The God you speak of is the God I love!
The only Truth that matters is in the Word of God; not in the opinion of man.
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1”
But keep in mind that we don’t have the privilege to pick and choose God’s instructions.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44″
It’s not as hard as it sounds after you get past the first few it gets easier.
” Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34″
Beware that Satan will continually try to distract you from hearing the truth.
“The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: John 10:10”
Because he wants to steal the Truth.
“So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17”
Keep the Faith. I’ve read the end of the book, WE WIN.
Did she seriously just put murdering people in the same category as stealing a pencil and not helping someone in need..? Okay I’m not religious at all but I get that you’re saying that everything wrong is a sin, but to disagree with you, there are “bad” sins, murder is one of them.
Adam,
That is one of the fundamentals of our faith.
1. One sin, any sin, is too much, so we need a savior.
2. No sin is too big for God’s forgiveness.
So, in that light, you CAN compare murder with stealing. The sins aren’t graduated… Any one of them take away your righteousness.
God gave you a wonderful gift of words. Amazing, really.
But most Christians are not struggling with loving their neighbors and displaying the love of Christ (to anyone/everyone). It’s the LGBT agenda to impose their will on us, thereby infringing on our religious liberties.
It’s men who claim to be women and who now share a locker room with our daughters. It’s bakers and florists not being able to hold to their convictions without great persecution.
So for the everyday meetings, I say love – Love – LOVE; however, when it comes to social engineering, I say FIGHT!
when you stand in front of God as a Christian at the pearly gates, you won’t be judged for your sin because Christ died for you and your sin is “as far from the east is from the west”. You will be seen as white as snow because you’ve been washed clean by the blood of Christ. It is like a person in court charged with a crime but instead of reviewing all your crimes, Jesus your attorney says “I’ve paid all of her debt (fines, etc). The way you just described judgement further alienates non-Christians because they see God as an unpleasable, ranting judge. That is NOT the nature of God. When God “judges” a believer after they die, it is a judgement for rewards in heaven and jewels for your crown (that you will put at the feet of Jesus).
Amen sister Lori! The Bride of Christ is NOT going to be present at the Great White Throne Judgement because it is reserved ONLY for the lost. No, we will partake in the Judgement Seat of Christ at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.
In light of the SCOTUS ruling Friday and many remarks on facebook and other social media, I feel moved to point out….
“judge not lest you be judged” is probably the most misused and misapplied command in the entire Word of God, both by believers and nonbelievers. It could not be more relevant than it is today. The lost use this text as a shield to deflect from their own sin, but see no problem judging Christians as “bigots” and “haters” if we oppose their sin. The hypocrisy is so thick you could cut it with a knife. I call it “intolerant” tolerance. I’m offended by everyone being offended by everything all the time. What’s so irritating is how “intolerantly” tolerant our politically correct society has become! Tolerance of today’s postmodern world of moral relativism means nothing even remotely close to the centuries old classic definition.
As I observe our postmodern world of today, I see the USA is in a serious moral free fall. As the great pastor Adrian Rogers put it so well back in 2005 —
“Society has replaced truth with tolerance, virtue with values, character with competency, and courage with compromise.”
I add my own prefixes to these terms in the above statement – “intolerant” tolerance, “morally relative” values, “self-centered” competency, and “misguided” compromise. What we desperately need is Godly truth, virtue, character, and courage. Is it too late?
Amen!!!!
Grant,
I think you just single handedly proved the author’s point….the anger, deflection of blame, moral judgments…are not AT ALL in line with Christ’s teachings. And no, I am not “intolerant of your intolerance”, but comments like yours are what drive people farther from Christianity, instead of bring them closer.
Very very true. No wonder people get turned off christianity when they see the hipocricy and self righteousness. People need the jesus that meets them were they are at. The holy spirit brings conviction….not the church. We are meant to love people. If people meet the holy spirit in us…….he will bring people to repentance. If you say your a christian…….show it.
This is a beautiful story, this is the “Christian” Church that has been in the making since early in our history. The truth is that there is no such thing as a “Christian” anymore. The countless number or Protestant Denominations and before that the corruption in the Catholic Church. It leads to thousands of different interpretations. But what I I told you that Christs Church, the Church of Peter and Paul still exists? Truly I say to you that is the Orthodox Church. We have not lost these values. I go to church and see these people that you describe don’t exist everyday, the same church that brought my father out of drunkedness. The Church where instead of looking upon the broken with spite and judgment we greet them with open arms and joy and welcome them HOME.
I am Antiochian Orthodox Christian in Alaska, the doors are open for all those seeking the true incorruptible Church.