Chris·tian [ˈkrisCHən/] – a person who in his or her life exemplifies the teachings of Christ.
Dear anyone who identifies as a Christian (myself included):
Have you taken a look at your manual in the past few weeks? Your go-to guide on how to live right? The "Christian-Living for Dummies?" Aka the Bible?
I've been thinking recently about how it seems like there's more strife amongst Christians and non-Christians than ever before. (I know this isn't true, but my "ever before" is different from the historical "ever before.") This summer alone, the United States has undergone some momentous changes. Whether political or social, everyone seems to have an opinion (which, by the way, is a good thing to have), and think they know what the right thing is.
I'd just like to remind all the people who profess to be Christians, or are Christians, or are not-sure-if-you're-Christians, to investigate and see how the guy who you claim to follow actually treated those that he disagreed with. (Hint: it didn't include a passive aggressive meme.)
Luke 7:34 (NIV) The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’
- The one who we actually call holy didn't act "holier than thou."
Luke 7:22 (NIV) So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor."
- Jesus wasn't hanging out with the cool people, or even the people that anyone liked. Why are we so concerned with our image?
Mark 10:45 (NIV) "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- So, please, if you plan on cutting someone off in traffic, take the Jesus fish off of your car. If you are going to condescend to the barista or server taking your order, please remove your crucifix before doing so. That's not what someone who is a follower of Jesus does. Obviously, this isn't meant to say that Christians should hide their flaws; rather, they should strive to become more like the person they claim to worship.
Luke 19:6-7 (NIV) So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
- Jesus saw someone who was different from him. The tax collector, Zacchaeus, behaved differently than Jesus and even, I'm sure, had different opinions. Jesus didn't save Zacchaeus by giving him a good berating in public for everyone to see, laden with witty remarks and examples of his past offenses. He spent time with him. He befriended him. How many of the people that you discuss your political/social opinions with online would you be willing to sit down and have a cup of coffee with?
A good friend of mine uses the phrase, "Don't talk about it, be about it." And it holds true.
Also – if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all! There are dozens of anecdotes, phrases, and social codes that keep people in check from going way over the line and hurting another's feelings. YES, have an opinion. YES, share with someone if they ask. However, you have a few options if not asked, and let me tell you, none of them include a sassy Facebook status about the country going down the tubes.
- If I hear another Christian talking about politics, but does not vote in their local and national elections, I might scream. This great country you live in gives you an opportunity to make your opinion heard. Don't whine when you didn't actually exercise your right as an American.
- Make friends with people who are different from you. I'm talking different opinions, different background, different everything. Don't befriend them because you wish to change them. Befriend them because you can learn something from them and love them the way that Christ tells his followers to love others. That is how you're going to actually change people's opinions, not aggressively picketing/ranting at people.
- Invite your friends to church. Don't be a different person on the weekdays than you are on Sunday, then wonder why people don't see anything "Christ-like" about you. You can go to a bar without getting black-out drunk. You don't have to be a shut-in to keep your faith, but you need to be able to interact with other human beings while still being different.
I'm no authority when it comes to the Bible. Ask my friends/family: I'm far from perfect. But I am striving to become more like someone who is perfect. Throughout all the time I've spent reading the Bible, I've still yet to find a verse describing Jesus hating someone for being homosexual. I don't recall him embarrassing the prostitute when he was a guest at dinner (in fact, she did a better job of worshipping Jesus than the priests did).
I lack self-control, I have a temper, and I am altogether unworthy of all that I am blessed with. My goal is to strive more on a daily basis to be a "Christian," which is someone who follows in the steps of Jesus. One thing I've learned so far is that it is very important to have an opinion, but it's more important to love others.
1 Peter 4:8 "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."
