The world hates Christians... and we deserve it.

Christians have a problem. The world sees Christians in a very negative light. I know, scripture says that they will hate us because of Jesus but this is not because of Him. This is because of us. I have a couple of examples that will help to clarify what I am saying.

The movie Easy A has a group of Christians in it and they are portrayed as pompous, exclusive, not exactly all that smart, complaining, completely closed-minded, extremely fallible and weak but very hypocritical about it, bent on imposing beliefs on everyone around them and if everyone doesn't subscribe to those beliefs within an acceptable amount of time then they must be sent away because they aren't worthy to be around. Many Christians would be very offended by the way Christians are portrayed in the movie and would, very possibly, call them out for it and

maybe boycott the film and all the actors in it... which, by the way, would perpetuate the exact reasons they were seen that way in the movie to start with. See where I am going here?

Another example is GrinchAlert.com... a site put out there by a church in Dallas. This site is a place Christians can go to complain and call-out business and such who refuse to act Christian enough about Christmas. There was one posting there where the bank this particular person used did not have any Christmas decorations and were not planning to have any and the posting person was offended enough to say they were going to change banks because of it. Really?

Here is a shocking statement... not everyone is redeemed. There are more who aren't than are. I know that because scripture says that's how it is.

¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. ¹⁴ Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Matthew 7: 13, 14 (New King James Version)

How can we expect the unredeemed to act redeemed or have the heart of the redeemed? We can't. We can't expect all businesses to be excited about Jesus or see Christmas as a holy day because they don't have it in them because they aren't redeemed. So is calling them out and refusing to do business with them going to save them? Um... no. It just makes Christians look exactly like the people they already think we are.

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

Phillipians 2:14-16 (New King James Version)

Instead of trying to save everyone with the imposition of our (God's) will on them... we should love them. Paul tells us that by our character, by our love, by our actions as Christians will we affect people for Christ. We can make people want to be like us and want to love Christ by bearing good fruit and showing true, Christ-like character. They will be drawn to it.

¹ Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, ² to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. ³For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. ⁴ But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, ⁵ not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, ⁶ whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
⁸ This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.

⁹ But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.

Titus 3:1-9 (New King James Version)

What I believe Paul is saying in the passage above is that our neighborhood, our workplace, the grocery store, the highway, etc. should all be better places because we are there. That people will be drawn to God BY THE GRACE OF GOD through your character and service, and not because of it. "Be ready for every good work," Paul says. "These things are good and profitable to men." That's what will bring people around and make them want to be a part of the body of Christ. Then in verse nine, Paul tells us that this sort of arguing and contentiousness and "strivings about the law" are "unprofitable and useless." We are not going to win souls by complaining about the phrase Happy Holidays or whether the business' Christmas tree is "Christian" enough for Jesus. We are starting to sound more like the ACLU than the beloved of Jesus Christ. Serve in love and "speak evil of no one." That's how we honor Christ this Christmas, with an attitude change to service in love.

I fail at this every day. I am a complainer. Not about Christmas decorations or phrases, but many other things in my daily routine. I judge people outside my idea of goodness and righteousness without even really being conscious of it. I forget to love the hard to love. I hate how people drive so selfishly here in the Dallas area and I totally forget to love many of them every commute. God forgive me. I guess this is my personal, spiritual project for the month...

to improve myself in this area and hopefully teach my kids the same so they can grow with me.

Focus

One thing I struggle with is being too focused on me. What I mean by that is I am very caught up in my thinking and my actions in me. I think of me, I do things I want or think I need. I get so into me that I get myself depressed when things don't work out like I want. It's really kind of childish. I see the same traits in my children. I scold them for it and then turn around and do the same sort of junk myself only on an "adult" level... whatever that really means. I spend so much time and energy pleasing myself (or trying to, anyway) that my service to those around me, including my God, suffers greatly.

This blog is about what I consider my God-given mission at this point in my life... fatherhood. I can absolutely guarantee that being focused on myself is a sure and absolute way to not be performing up to my full potential as a father. A mission is about service... to God, to others. At least the kind of mission I am talking about here. I cannot possibly serve God or others while trying to make sure I am doing all I want to do. IT IS NOT ABOUT ME. That is a theme that I've tried to remember for the past four years or so that started this entire thing. I am an insignificant part of the greater plan. Not that God can't use me significantly in any way that He chooses... It's that what I am or what I can do or what I want is infinitesimal compared to the greater plan. It's what God can use me for, what He can do through me that is significant.

I believe we were not put here to enjoy things. Not that finding joy in our work or even play is bad. But I believe that there is no promise that we will be happy. There is no promise we will not suffer. In fact, I believe that suffering is sort of a big part of it all. Christ suffered greatly for something He didn't even do... He suffered for us. He died for us. That's torture and death... And I can't even find the strength to think of others during my selfish day.

This stream of consciousness blabbering is not something I've sat and thought about... it's just something I am thinking about. I literally just sat down and started typing. Basically, I struggle with selfishness and I believe that limits my effectiveness as a father, husband, employee, Christian, etc. I also believe it contributes to my inability to find joy in my days. That is something else I struggle with. I want so badly to find joy in the everyday, mundane, God-given tasks... in all that I do. I know it's there. I just have to forget about me and make the focus on those I am serving. I believe that might be a good start. Well, pray for me if you care to. Thanks.