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Why are Christians so mean?

At one point, this was the first thing came up in google search of the question, “Why are Christians so….” It is a good question.

Why would someone stand in line at a store and bellow at a customer service clerk?

Why would visitors to a Church building feel cold hostility from the members?

Why have I seen a deacon in the Church yelling at my brother in the entrance way of the church? It wasn’t a pleasant correction. It was rage.

Why would Pastors continue to encourage people to come to Church in the middle of a COVID-19 epidemic?

Why have I been told that I am opening myself to demon-possession by being an actor? Not to mention the colleagues who have been abused and berated by zealous Christians over the years. Including one good friend who was so abused that they had to go in for surgery to deal with all the stress damage to their health.

Why would there be such an uproar over keeping Christ in Christmas?

I could go on for hours with stories like this but I think you get the idea. You may even have your own stories of abuse to share. If sharing your story helps your healing, I encourage you to do so.

The question remains? Why?

Jesus himself said, “They will know that you are my disciples by the way you love one another.” Do the stories above radiate love?

Jesus was heard to say, “I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” Do the stories above breathe life and hope?

Jesus was heard to say, “I am a friend of sinners.” Are the stories above about friendly people?

I think the difference lies in where someone has placed their faith. If someone has placed their faith in a Church building…if someone has found their value in traditions…if someone measures their righteousness by their ability to follow rules…they will naturally look down on all those failures who refuse to or are unable to follow the rules.

People like this have placed their faith in themselves and in things that they themselves created, not in Jesus.

Granted, traditions and rules may have their place. Going to Church on Sunday can have tremendous value. However, if we actually study the teachings of Jesus himself, we find that doing any of these things does not make us more valuable to God.

We are all sinners. Yes, we have all lied…stolen…lusted…at some point in our lives. So, we would be considered sinners. Yet, who are we to look down on somebody else just because they sin differently than we do?

Would we do any better if we were faced with that temptation? Let’s be honest with ourselves. Better yet, ask somebody who knows you well, they might be more honest with you about your many failings.

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This quote shows us that the message of Jesus had nothing to do with us following a bunch of man made rules and traditions. We did nothing to deserve it. Since we did nothing to earn the love we have been given, Christians have no reason to abuse others in the name of the One who offers that same love to all.

Knowledge puffs up…and puffed up, self-centered people look down on others. Puffed up people are impressed with themselves and the mass of knowledge that they have gained through their own efforts.

However, if we study the life of Jesus, we find that what God is actually concerned about is human beings and their well-being. (John 3:16). If someone has really discovered the heart of God, they too should be concerned about human beings and their well-being.

This is not about summoning people to a Church service in the middle of pandemic to show their faith. Instead, it is about Christians showing love for their neighbor by not giving them a disease.

If someone has really understood the message of Jesus, they should be a servant of all. Not an overlord of culture.

This is not about keeping Christ in Christmas. Jesus never commanded anyone to celebrate Christmas. He did command people to deny themselves and follow him…every single day.

This does not mean huddling in a Holy huddle, trying to stay safe and pure. It means stepping out. “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” -Jesus.

If a Christian is really walking in the footsteps of Jesus…the question that others would ask would not be…”Why are Christians so mean?” Instead, the questions they would ask might be these…

“Why does he hang out with those people?”

“Why is she going out into the world?”

“Why are Christians so loving?”

Because if someone really loves Jesus, why would they look down on and abuse the human beings, the sinners that Jesus himself said that He loves?