The word "Christian" doesn't usually go unnoticed. Some people feel confused, some feel overjoyed, some apathetic, and some feel the scar tissue and remember the burns. So I feel compelled to write about some misconceptions about Christians. I prayed for God's will to be done in this blog post, so ignore me please.
Firstly let's address the concept of why we are called Christians. We are deemed Christians because we are supposed to be little Christs, or followers of the Christ. Christian is, ideally, not just a title- it should be a job description. Because I call myself a Christian, I should strive to act like Jesus in EVERYTHING. Not just when I want to, not when I see fit to, and not only when it's easy. I am a Christian, therefore I act like one.
Now we need to establish the most important idea about Christians. Christians are people. Christians are imperfect people. We are not heavenly, we are not divine, we are not perfect, we aren't the smartest, wittiest, coolest, or better than anyone else. We are not saved because of who we are, and neither is anyone else. We are saved because of who HE is and what HE has done. True, we act superior sometimes, and we should be judged according to who we claim our master is. But don't pretend that we are perfect, and I will try and do the same. Just because someone is an atheist, does that make them a bad person? No it doesn't, I won't deny that. So why does that mean that because someone is a Christian that they can't make mistakes? It is a double standard, and unfair for any man to live under. So, understand that Christians are just flesh and blood like the rest.
The Christian is, however, called to be not of this world. Christians are supposed to be working toward perfection. That doesn't mean we will ever reach perfection, because we won't. Try to understand that God's grace makes us perfect. Because Jesus took the cross that was meant for us, we can be perfect. Christians are people who are just trying to get it right... It is hard trying to come close to Jesus. The world is telling us what we need and that the only way to get it is to destroy anything in the way. Every day we hear about the easy way out. Sometimes I will cry because it is so hard to be like Jesus. This man, this Emmanuel did far to much to every try and repay. I try to live up to his glory and I fail daily, sometime by the hour, and it makes me want to cry.
Another important thing to understand is that there are genuine Christians, and there are wolves disguised as sheep. The wolves are usually the ones hurting the image of my faith. They are the fag-haters, to flag burners, the dishonest businessmen, the crooked, the liars, and the ones who just push atheists away. The worst statement an atheist could ever make is this: "If that's what Christianity is, I don't want any part of it." They say we are hypocrites. So because someone is doing something wrong, immoral, foolish, or just evil, that's why you won't come to Christ? Because if Christianity is about doing unChristian things, you won't follow? Christians don't spread to Gospel of hate and hopelessness. Those people who you claim are ruining your faith, are not acting Christian! If they are doing evil things under the facade of Christianity, that doesn't mean you deny true Christianity. If you see someone who is literally on fire, but they claim to be not on fire, you would say that they are an idiot and that they are obviously on fire. You wouldn't say, "Since he claims he isn't on fire, I don't want to be like him...I would rather die of burns." That doesn't make sense. You are witnessing a false Christianity.
Does that mean us "true Christians" don't fail? Absolutely, positively not. I am going to share some more valuable insight into the mind of a Christian-- I screw up too! I hate to admit it, but I am a failure as well. Sometimes I do things that are unGodly, because I am not Jesus.
The Crusades were wrong, the Inquisition was wrong, God does not hate people who are gay. If being gay is a sin (which the Bible says it is) and I sin also, does that mean God hates everyone? Every stinking one of us is a sinner, and God will not hold one sin greater than another. If God hates fags then we are all through. God does not hate you, he does not hate me. We don't have the right to pick-and-choose what sin is greater than the next. We are all sinners, don't forget that.
So what makes Christians any different than the next man? Christians choose to accept God's gift of grace. It is not something we earn, and it is definitely not something we deserve. Jesus paid the highest price so that I could be saved. You can be saved by the same unbiased grace. I can't say enough about this God. He has flipped my life upside down and ruined all my plans. He has caused me to lose lots of friends and status. He has stripped me of the right to worldly pleasures. And I wouldn't have it any other way. Nothing that you can offer me compares to what God has in store for those faithful to him. I don't want the money, I don't want your drugs, I don't want to be an actor or a rock star, and I don't want women. All I want is to be emptied and freed from all that mess...
A not for Christians: We are saints, so let's act like it. We have been given many chances, let's not waste another one. We have been given a platform, let's use is joyfully. We have eyes on us, and high expectations, let's not let those eyes down. Bless you all... I'm so thankful for you seeking me out, and bringing me into your family. I owe a lot to the gospel of your lives.
Something final for the unbelieving that stumbled onto this blog. I pray for you several times a day. I cry for you when I think about the grace you haven't accepted. I just wish I could will you to faith! You all have been given the perfect personality to fulfill a part in God's story. He has gifted you, even if you don't think that's possible. You are so beautiful... I love you so much, and I'm only a man- just imagine God's love for you. Life is worth living. There is a way out of what is hurting you, and it isn't a gun. I know that a lot of you think that you are not worthy to be in God's grace, and that you have done way too much to be forgiven. Please hear me now: God uses anyone who is willing to submit to him and give up their plans. In the line of Jesus there are prostitutes, David: the man who slept with Bathsheba. One of the most famous disciples, Paul, was in the business of killing the Christians of the first church. He killed men, women, and children who claimed Jesus as their savior. This man became one of the most important figures in the history of the church. He even called himself the chief of sinners...and God used a man like that. You are not worthy of grace, true. But not a single one of us ever will be. Grace is a gift, and God is in the business of changing lives. If you want proof of anything I've said, I will give it to you. If you want Jesus, ask me how bad he wants you. I love you all, and I will pray for you all the time. Please understand that I am just a man like you, trying to follow the God who came to us.
