Don’t Let Me be Like That Christian

For the last two and a half years, I have had a constant prayer – “Lord, please don’t let me be like that Christian.”  This petition has been repetitive as I continue to look introspectively when I encounter Christians who have attitudes that are undesirable to me and more importantly, I don’t think God is pleased with these behaviors. I believe many of us as followers of Christ fail to understand that as His representatives we should reflect Him, being salt and light. However, we may have lost our saltiness and may not shine as we should. This may result in people being turned off by Christians. I have seen this a lot. And frankly, if I did not have a relationship with Christ, I could have possibly backslid years ago because of the attitudes and actions of Church goers.

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:13-16

Salt can be abrasive, but we shouldn’t be. Light can also be blinding, but we should bring clarity to those around us as we point them to Jesus. Unfortunately, many people see some Christians as angry and aggressive especially when they don’t share their point-of-view. I have spoken with unbelievers who feel like they have been treated badly by Christians, some of whom won’t speak to them. They believe these Christians treat them as unworthy. We cannot expect unbelievers to live according to our principles, so we need to treat them with grace and compassion just as Jesus has done to us. 

Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Colossians 4:5-6

And we should also show compassion, patience and  exhibit understanding to those around us. Far too often, Christians will tell a brother or sister in Christ not to speak the way they do especially if they are expressing feelings of depression. Many Christians believe that if you are a follower of Christ, you should never be depressed or feel sad for an extended period of time. They want you to get over your mood quickly and they will quote Bible verses that frequently don’t help but hinder making you feel more depressed. Yes, they may feel that they are giving encouragement when sharing Scriptures, but discernment is necessary. Sometimes it is best to be quiet and listen while waiting for the Holy Spirit to inspire a response. Remember, King David often complained about what was wrong in his life and he wrote about his sadness, but God never condemned him.

I cry aloud with my voice to the Lord; I make supplication with my voice to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare my trouble before Him.  When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, You knew my path. In the way where I walk, they have hidden a trap for me. Psalm 142:1-3

Now, I am not saying that you should never tell some uncomfortable truths to a brother or sister in Christ. It would be unloving to see someone going on a wrong path and not rebuke them and help to lead them back to God’s way. There are many Christians who don’t want to get involved in other people’s affairs because they feel it is not their business. I don’t believe this is a Christlike attitude either. Life is messy and sometimes we have to get in the mess with someone to help them. This is what the  Good Samaritan did.

But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.” Luke 10:33-36

I am pretty sure it was inconvenient and uncomfortable for this Samaritan man to help this stranger along the wayside. Shamefully, I desire convenience and comfort and do not want to be put out of my way.  But I really do not want to be that type of Christian. Jesus outlined in Matthew 25 the actions that please Him when we are His followers.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’  Matthew 25:34-40

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