Wednesday, October 08, 2008
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Perfect Christians Are a Myth
Sometimes I don't like to reveal that I'm a Christian.
Not because I'm ashamed of Jesus, but because I don't like to be scrutinized. Anyone who has been verbal about their Christian walk/beliefs can relate to people being extra critical of your actions. It's like nonbelievers are waiting on you to screw up once you "come out of the closet". And when you do screw up (and you're going to screw up because nobody's perfect) they write you off as a hypocrite or mock you. It's quite frustrating indeed; I'm already hard on myself, I don't need you to come and judge me either.
But on the flip side, can we really blame people? I mean we (Christians) have a bad rep for being really judgemental of other people when they make mistakes, and we shouldn't be. I'm not being preachy; I'm realizing more and more that I do this myself, so I'm just trying to get other people to think about these things too.
The only thing that separates us from nonbelievers is that we know how to go to God and ask for forgiveness -and this same privilege will be extended to others as well once they accept Jesus as their Savior. I think another issue that I face is asking for forgiveness, but then continuing to revert to the same bad behavior -yeah God forgives us, but I also believe that we need to actually stop participating in behavior that we know is destructive.
Right now, I'm praying for consistency, that my actions speak louder than my words, so that I don't have to necessarily verbalize my beliefs for others to know that I'm "different".
Do you ever feel like you're judged harder when people find out you're a Christian?
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Comments (16)
Amen. Beautifully put.
Interesting points. I think we've somehow substituted the idea of living perfect outward lives for the much harder concept of inward transformation. I think that when a Christian and a non-Christian have a close ongoing relationship, it's much more powerful for the non-Christian to see a life characterized by real-life, sometimes slow, inward transformation, than it is to see a life full of superficial activity and inward stagnation.
Good post.
I struggle with the same thing I guess. I think it is more important that our life screams Christian/Christ-like than for us to say "Oh, I'm a Christian" because as you said actions speak louder than words. At the same time don't worry about what people say/think because Jesus was peculiar. We are supposed to be different. Ephesians 4:18
Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. They are alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance [willful blindness] that is deep-seated in them, due to their hardness of heart [to the insensitivity of their moral nature.]
So we have to remember that because they don't fully understand the things of God that they are the way they are. Just remind them, "I said I was a Christian, I never claimed I was perfect" or something to that effect. The objective of being a Christian isn't about being perfect but living a life comparative to that of Christ.
I also believe God gives us opportunities to share our faith. Because our faith isn't just for us it is to be shared with others. Just pray for confidence and opportunities to share your faith.
God bless!
Most of the people I worked with when I was in a secular office figured out on their own that I was a Christian (the fact that my degree is from Moody tends to be a giveaway), though one girl assumed I was Catholic. Close enough.
I try not to be a "secret believer," but I also don't like to make a big deal about my faith in the wrong context ("Hi, my name is Eric and I'm an Evangelical"). Anyway, I prefer talking about Jesus to talking about Christianity.
I just had a small heated debate on my blog on this topic, so I actually responded to this with a blog of my own. But, I would like to say... Thank God that He is patient and is always there with open arms because Lord knows, none of us are perfect.
It's true. I feel that especially since I'm at a christian uni training to be in ministry.
Yes. I have been "preaching" lately about judgmentalism in the church (I think I made up that word - judgmentalism). We need to embrace people rather than shun them because of their sins.
don't care if i am...bible says we would be persecuted for our beliefs, what do i care if it happens? perfect christians are only a myth made up in the minds of non-believers...christians know they aren't perfect...and what do i care what a non-believer thinks of christianity?
They also said Sasquatch was a myth.
Look who's laughing now.
People can't wait to see other people fall.. it's what this world is, one great fall from the grace of God... until Jesus came that is. I say we can become very close to perfect.. our hearts were created in the first place to be good and true. Let's show this world the power of God in our hearts!
For me the reason that Christians get such a critique is because its thier way or no way. I am generalizing here of course and I was raised christian myself but its so abstract and doesnt offer any empirical sense of belonging. For example church, church isnt for gathering in the lords name or sharing his world. It might have been one day but its not now. Church is where people go on sunday to check out everyone else. See what they are wearing, gossip, and not to look bad to your neighbour that you didnt go. Its sad but that becomes the symbolic view of religion (christian in particular) its a lens to judge others, to see what they are doing, and how they are doing it and to make yourself feel better because you have committed to something. Now again I realize this comes off a bit strong but from a small town perspective this summaries it rather well. On the other hand I dont think that you should be scared to admit it, because when you do and your a decent person that is christian and doesnt join the label for false reasons you shed light into that lens and allow others to experiences it in a different way.
Thank you for your heartiness. I like your post...
It's easy to
say "I love you" (I'm the Christian) but it's our deads that prove our
words and the love needs no words then but the action.
I don't fear
that other may judge me more because I'm the Christian - I fear the
silence - no judgment is the worst . unfortunately, as the disabled
Christian I experience exactly the silence on each step - is that loneliness
the forced? Or am I guilty for my refusal to enjoy my reality?
Please visit my blogs.
http://arthiker.wordpress.com/i understand where you are coming from, it's how i feel a lot of times as well. i don't put out everything about my faith because i'm scared that others will shoot it down. for example, it would horrify me to hear someone say, oh? you're a christian? but you're not this, this and this like you SHOULD be. However, everyone knows they're not perfect. We just need to trust in God more and He will take care of it all.
As far as being judged harder, yes, I believe we are. In some respects, it can be a double-bind. On the one hand, when we aren't botching it up, the worldly may say "You're too good." On the other hand, when we fail, the worldly may say "Ah-HA, why should we listen to you, you're no different!" That's the chance we take (comes with the territory).
As Christians we will always have people watching us. But to NOT say we are Christian is to deny the Lord. People will judge us no matter what we do or say. We can't even make one simple mistake. BUT on the other hand...we can show the world what humility is like, and maybe even open up as a witness
@Pickwick12@xanga - I totally agree.
I believe, as Christians, we are to exemplify an authentic Christian life. Regardless of scrutiny. Jesus was called some pretty harsh names. Most all the the greats in the past were judged, mocked, ridiculed....even tortured and killed. I can deal with a little scrutiny.
Granted, I don't appreciate the attack on our Christian faith, however, NOT FOR ONE MINUTE have I ever regretted being a Christian. Not for a moment have I ever wished I wasn't one. There are some lame and shameful examples of Christians in the world today (many of which, I might add, aren't Christians at all....only posers). But the Bible says we are to call sin what it is, to cry aloud and let the world know when sin is around, to be watchmen (guards) and, above all, be a light in this dark, sin-cursed world and represent Christ to the fullest of our ability.