Ever wonder why there are so many atheists out there? Because ... Christians. Someone recently said that Christians are the enemy's greatest weapon and all I could think of saying was "Amen!"
One of the major complaints non-believers level against Christianity is that the churches are full of hypocrites. Picture perfect beings, so holy that they earned the right to point their fingers and kick every sinner right off of cloud nine. "Na-ah, you're not getting in here!" Yes, the majority of people in this world believes that we Christians are hypocrites. Can we blame them?
We sit in church every Sunday, nod and say "Amen," when someone looks, and tithe less than we spend on a Starbucks coffee. We smile, praise the Lord, shake some hands, and fight our way through the departing crowd back to the car. See you next Sunday!
We drive like maniacs, hate our bosses, curse at our spouses, and yell at our children. We post inspirational quotes on Facebook, hang Bible verses on our walls, but roll the windows up and look away when a beggar approaches our car at a red light.
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
We are the light of the world, but all we spread is confusion and darkness. No wonder so many hate us! No wonder people don't want anything to do with Christianity.
I recently joined a Christian fellowship group on Facebook to see more Jesus on my news feed. What I got instead couldn't be further from it. It started off with Illuminati conspiracy theories, continued with hatred against homosexuals, and ended with calling out "false prophets" except, it didn't end. It just wouldn't end! My news feed was flooded with nothing but hate, condemnation, and judgement.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
Philippians 4:8
Yes, there is so much evil out there, but can I ask you respectfully: What good does it do to tell others about the wicked world we live in as if they didn't know already? Wouldn't it be better to tell them about how good our God is? How the blood of the Lamb defeated the enemy and that the end is already written? Why scare people, when we can encourage them? Why hide in church and wait for the Rapture, when we can go out there and convince someone to join us?
Fellow Christians, what makes us think that we are better than others? Who are we to judge others for their sins? Hate the sin, but love the sinner! Are homosexuals not children of God after all? What about politicians yes, even Obama! We are all children of God; sinners just as much as saints whether we believe it or not doesn't make it less true. Pointing our fingers and telling people that they're going to hell will not save them!
Let's face it, many Christians become Christian to obtain "fire insurance" so they won't have to burn in hell and I can't think of a worse reason to follow Christ. God doesn't need us to apple-polish Him just so He'll let us go to heaven. He wants us to love Him. Love can't grow when planted in fear. Follow Him for the right reasons; because He makes you a better person, because He cares, and because He loves you.
Let's not be Christians, but followers of Jesus Christ. Let us be children of the most high God and all you Christians who are stuck in the Old Testament ... move on! Spread the good news! Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead so we could live a life free of condemnation. Stop underestimating God's mercy.
You are representing Almighty God - the question is; do you make him look good?