So we've all heard the stereotype, been stereotyped, or even used the stereotype against others, it's probably the most widely known reason for why people generally don't like, wouldn't want to be and don't even want to associate with Christians because "they are so judgmental." Speaking as an honest Jesus follower though, isn't it the truth sometimes? We take one look at someone, or find out a couple of things about them and we've already determined their worth, or lack thereof, and that is so incredibly wrong. Believe me, I have been on both sides of this Lord knows I have made my fair share of unfair judgments against others but I, too have been belittled by and felt wrongly judged by those who claim to be Christians, and I am one!? The sad part, is that so many people completely turn away from God because of the way they have been treated by a supposed 'Christian'. They associate God, in all His perfect holiness with us, in all our flawed humanity and they don't want any part of it. The bottom line, we are all in fact sinners and therefore are not capable of accurately representing God because we cannot even fathom His greatness let alone show it. That however, is not an excuse for us to walk around like we're better than everyone else, because truth is, we're not. The truth is, God loves every single one of us exactly the same, regardless of our sins. So why do we think it is OK to judge others when we, like them, are surviving out of the grace of God alone? If we truly want to show Christ to people and make a difference in this world, our job is simply to love. And it is indeed simple, no it is not always easy but it is what we are called to do. People are so completely blown away by genuinely loving people who are not asking anything in return because it is so unheard of in our society these days. If we are truly using Jesus as our example, that's exactly what we need to be doing. He hung out with the people that most looked down on and He was kind to those that most wouldn't associate with and that's what drew people to Him. The key here is not to appear to be righteous so we can 'look more godly' because we won't do Him any justice, but rather to be so completely humble that people are attracted to the difference they see in us compared to the rest of the world so that we then can point them to the one true God. I think people underestimate the power of love and forgiveness. The freedom it offers for everyone involved is life-changing. Obviously, it gets complicated when you start talking about loving and forgiving the very ones who have hurt you or your loved ones, and it takes all that is within us not to retaliate out of anger. But isn't that again our calling, to go against our fleshly desires and take every evil thought captive to Christ and let Him heal us so that we are able to let it go. Talk about astonishing this world, show love to the one who the world claims it's OK for you to hate. That is what will get people talking, that is what will turn people on to Christ, not us walking around with our noses in the air afraid to 'get dirty' for fear of what people might think, guess what he calls us to get dirty, he calls us to the ends of the Earth, and he calls us to show love to everyone.
1 Peter 4:8
8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Romans 3:23-24
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Job 11:7 (NIV)
7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
2 Corinthians 10:5
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Acts 1:8
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
