Recently I have again heard people say that they have become somewhat dissuaded about the validity of the Christian faith because they don’t like what they see when they observe the lives of Christians.
The idea of course is that the Christian faith must not be true if those who profess to believe in Jesus Christ live in ways that are opposed to the type of life He has called his followers to. I want to start off by saying that I understand why someone might distance themselves from a belief / teachings that seemingly have no impact on those who say they follow it. However, I could easily spend the rest of this e-mail presenting reasons as to why making such a decision (to turn away from the Christian faith) based on how Christians appear is based on some pretty faulty logic. For the purpose of this e-mail though, I would like to ask anyone who is dismissing Christ for this reason a question. Are you dismissing Christ or Christians? The two are not the same. For the most part when you hear people offer the “There are so many hypocrites in the church” argument, they are offering it because they are rebelling against Jesus Christ and the truth of His word.
So, if I am blessed in the future to talk with a person who says they left the faith or are disillusioned about Christianity because of Christians, I would like to read them this passage from the bible:
15The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20
and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because ofg your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23
if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Colossians 1: 15-23
And..having read it, then ask them…
Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He created all things? Do you accept that all things have been created for Him? Do you acknowledge that He is the head of the church? Do you believe in His resurrection from the dead and that God was pleased to have all of His fullness dwell in Him? Do you believe Jesus reconciled all things to Himself through His blood, shed on the cross? Did you ever believe that you were alienated from God and were an enemy of His, because of your evil behavior? Do you now believe that the only way to be reconciled to God is through Christ’s sacrifice for your sins and that in believing this He will present you holy in His sight?
And perhaps from there the dialogue might go like this:
Skeptic: But that guy over there in the church who just cheated on his taxes….
Rob: Do you believe in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of
your
sins through His sacrifice on the cross?
Skeptic: But that woman over there in the church who just cheated on her husband…..
Rob: Do you believe in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of
your
sins through His sacrifice on the cross?
Skeptic: But that student over there in the church who just cheated on their test?
Rob: Do you believe in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of
your
sins through His sacrifice on the cross?
Skeptic: But that man over there in the church who watches pornography……
Rob: Do you believe in Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of
your
sins through His sacrifice on the cross?
Now,
please don’t get me wrong. Christians are not to do any of these things. Instead we are called to be holy because God is holy (1 Peter 1:16). Please do
understand that what I am saying is that in the majority of cases (by far) when a person is pointing at the “hypocrites in the church” they are merely deflecting the attention off themselves and their lack of faith in Jesus Christ, and putting it where it is much safer, and that is on other people’s sins.
So, I am glad when I consider what Jesus said about why He came:
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17
It sounds like He came to save me…and you… and everyone…
Do
you
believe?
For Him,
Rob