Christian Living

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All too often I hear Christians talking about why there are so many unbelievers and atheists in our world. There are many who believe the biggest reason people do not have faith is because of the example of Christians. I believe that to be absolutely true. I have discussions with people with this view and I witness the frustration and anger they feel towards people who consider themselves "Christians". I do not want to sound self-righteous or perfect because I fail daily, but what I see in many people who consider themselves "follower's of Christ" is a lack of understanding to the actual implications of their words and actions. Every day I see Christians who say they believe in God, yet do not act like it. I also see Christians who live out the lifestyle of a good Christian, yet they are missing the point.

I work with many men who do not share the same faith as me, and it is difficult to witness to them because I have seen and heard of the scars they have from Christians and the church. I have tried to evangelize by attitude, instead of words, and by setting an example of being genuine. The main reason these people do not believe in God is because of the fruit they see in most of His "followers" lives. People are tired of fake, non-transparent Christians who do not act like real people. I have been able to get inside the thought process of non-believers through many discussions and long trips on the work truck. When they look at Christians they see people force feeding beliefs and instruction down their throat, instead of developing a relationship with them.

So what are we to do as Christians? We cannot blame those "other" Christians for giving the rest of us a bad name because we are the same. We also cannot continue down the same path because failure looms that direction.

The main question I get asked by someone inquiring about the Bible and/or Christians deals with sin and how it is any different between a Christian and a non-Christian. I can tell them grace from Jesus, but then they will undoubtedly inform me how Christians abuse that everyday. Not easy to come up with an answer for that.

It is difficult to be a Christian in the world for a few reasons. One because of the nature of our society and two because we are held to a high standard. It is also because Jesus told us we were going to be different from the world and, in turn, hated by them. However, we cannot justify non-believer's hate towards Christians because of what the Bible says. The reason they do not like "religious" people is because they do not act any differently from the rest of the world. Is that being transformed by God's Word? (Romans 12:2)

What I am getting at is that I am tired of followers of Christ continually saying that the reason non-Christians hate Christians is because of bad experiences by the church. WE are the church and WE all have to take responsibility for the actions of the church. Right now, as a whole, our body is not getting the job done. Far too many Christians are not living by the Spirit. I mean think about it. If churches and believers are not acknowledging the Holy Spirit, living by it and practicing life through it, we are essentially pushing God out of the church and of the Gospel. Roll with me on this. If we do not acknowledge part of God, are we not, in turn, demeaning the fullness of God?! If the Holy Spirit is not as much a part of our Christian lives as God and Jesus are, then we are dumbing down the Gospel and ruining our credibility as Christians? If we do not use the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:7-11), produce the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5) and treat our lives like God is living within us (1 Cor. 6:19), won't it be impossible to make true disciples? We have to give the full Gospel, not just the easy, nice or convenient parts.

If we are going to call ourselves Christians, then our lives better produce something different than the world's. And if our lives are not transformed by the Word of God, figure it out and change something! Most importantly, if we see a believer not living up to Christ's standards or putting forth the effort to do so, speak up! It is not UN-Biblical to do so. The Apostle Paul called out Peter in front of the Gentiles when he was not acting up to what Christ's standards were (Galatians 2:11-14). Remember, do everything in love, but it is time that we step up to the plate as Christians and start putting out the true picture of Christ.

I know that by me writing this I am holding myself up to a higher standard, which is what I want. I want to win over the hearts of non-believers, but I am slowly learning what will work in today's world and what will not. Lack of transparency, belief claiming, self-righteousness, shallow and surface-like, "tell you what to do-ers", will not work with people today. But I know what will work, and it is exactly what Jesus showed us in the Bible. The way to win people to Christ will not come from Scripture quoting, praise song singing or public prayer, what will win souls to Christ is this (wait for it): developing relationship with them. It is a process that requires much time and effort, but it does not fail.

Let's get to work!

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