Christians, how come we get things so wrong? How come we don't follow Jesus and his example? How come we worry so much about being right rather than dying to self? How come God let's us misrepresent him so badly too the world?
Over these last two months I haven't met anyone who has any positive associations with Christians (except the other Christians at Rome baptist church). Why? Because we are perceived as judgmental, powerhungry people who use religion to control others, and people who think this have both historical evidence and personal experience to back them up.
This hurts me at the deepest level, because this perception keeps people I have come to care about very much away from Jesus, which breaks my heart so deeply. It hurts because I am also at fault. I have secluded myself in a Christian ghetto and haven't been active in sharing Jesus' love with those who don't know him in ways that make sense. I have judged others, not loved them in a christlike way.
Christians, we need to wake up!we need to show Jesus' love! We need to quit judging, take people for who they are and point them to the love of Christ! Why are we so intent on proving how right and holy we are instead of showing people how wonderful and good and true Jesus is?
Why does Jesus let us misrepresent him so badly? Why does he let evil or wrong be done in his name? I don't understand this and am really struggling with it, especially after listening to three long conversations in the last four days about how much pain self righteous, judgmental "christians" hve inflicted on the world.
It also hurts perhaps because I am also guilty (see last blog post). I've also been self righteous, proud, judgmental, and power hungry. Maybe by God's grace I will come out of this. Hopefully these last two months of trying to show people Jesus and counteract all the negative perceptions will help.
In the meantime, when I'm in yet another conversation revealing how people have been hurt in the name od Christianity, I can only say "I'm sorry" and try to explain that that's not Jesus, that's not what he intended, and pray that Jesus in his infinite might can reveal himself to my friends in spite of the misrepresentations about him that happen!
