This idea has been nagging at me. How do we love a person who is so different from ourselves? It’s the mere realization that they act and behave differently which some how goes against our very fiber. It causes us to be uneasy, restless and even extremely judgmental. How has the church really handled this? In my opinion not very well – they have pushed judgment in the name of trying to take a stand. I can see very clearly the problem on both sides. On one hand we are called to love and serve those who are different from us even if it isn’t our own preference to do so. However, there is a point where we need to take a stand for what is right. We have become a society which is way too accepting of everything – where should lines be drawn? When have we as a nation gone too far? These questions have been plaguing me lately.
I recently had an opportunity to be with a group of people of whom normally the church would be calling them to repentance and tell them right where they are going because of what they are doing. I am reminded that sin is sin no matter how you slice it or dice it. Jesus clearly stated those who have no sin cast the first stone. What did he do for the price of ALL sin – it didn’t matter what type it was - He died on a cross for you and I. Whereby, paying the price for our sin. It’s through Jesus’ sacrifice and our acceptance of Him into our heart that we are no longer damned. How is it that we have come up with our own hierarchy of sins? Where in the bible does it say that one sin is worse than the other? Even some circles of the church are divided on what they think is acceptable and isn’t. What does God say on the issue? It really shouldn’t be what the church says! In addition, to the division we also have the outsider’s perception. What are they seeing in us – the Christians? I think in many instances they are seeing hate and judgment. I am very burdened about this issue – on the other hand we are called to live righteously and holy. How can we be so accepting?
I think the answer I have found is that it’s not our place to be determining what is acceptable. In our own eyes, as humans, we are imperfect and therefore we don’t have a proper measuring stick for what’s acceptable. It is by the bible that we measure what’s good, acceptable and pleasing to God. The bible should be how we determine what is right and wrong. We are called to live by Christ’s example – showing love to the unlovable – genuinely caring and taking an invested interest in them. As I showed love, I was amazed at the response I got. It was almost with accusatory looks; as if waiting for me to pounce and start judging or condemning them. I did not do any of these things. I don’t feel that this is the right way to handle the situation – I believe that it was uneasy at times, not so much for me but them. Jesus ran with a pretty rough crowd himself. If anyone reads the bible they will find that Jesus hung out with the outcasts, tax collectors, prostitutes and those who no one wanted anything to do with. How are we as Christians really measuring up to this standard?
I think too often we like to hang out with only those who are like ourselves because it is comfortable. It should be said: we need to have accountability with those who are of like mind as ourselves to challenge and grow in faith together. However, there should be a point where we transcend merely just filling ourselves up spiritually; there should be a point where we become so saturated with the word that we bubble over into the world around us. This is where we have the ability to live out what we are being taught. I like the quote – “practice what you preach or better yet just practice”. We need not be merely on a high hill looking down at those who aren’t like us but rather we need to be in the world showing others love and genuine care. (In the world and not of the world – there is a significant difference) How else is the world going understand God and who He REALLY is? Jesus even condemned the religious leaders in his day for being pious and self righteous. He over threw the money changers table in the temple – why because they were taking advantage of the people and misrepresenting God.
A recent example: there was a church in Gainesville, FL who decided they were going to burn the Quran on September 11th. They hooted and hollered and created quite the commotion! They had news crews covering the story and people all around the world were looking at this little church in Gainesville. To be honest, it was an embarrassment for the Christian community! How can rising up in hate against another belief system bring about change? Or turn people to Jesus? Not to mention the troops overseas who are fighting for freedom and safety who would take the full brunt of this hateful act by losing their lives. This type of demonstration only makes the rest of the world look on in disbelief. We can’t proclaim to love God and then turn around and deny Him by our actions! It’s called hypocrisy and that is what an unbelieving world finds unbelievable!!!
The same is true for religious leaders in today’s society; people are portraying the wrong image / message of who and what God truly is and what He longs to do in our lives. According to the bible, He doesn’t want to bring harm upon us but rather free us. Unfortunately, this pious image is the one that seems to stick in people’s mind when the word Christian comes up. For those of us who are serious about our faith, we need to be burdened and challenged to change this perception. We shouldn’t be full of ourselves but be striving to be more like Jesus. We need to show who the REAL Jesus is to the world by the way we live our lives.
