If We Are the Body

           Last night I went to The Exchange at Woodridge church, and I listened to a sermon about homosexuality. No, I’m not going to talk about homosexuality, but I am going to use it as an example to show how non-Christians view us as a church. A shocking 91% say we are anti-homosexual. Note that this is not anti-homosexualITY, but anti-homosexuAL. Essentially, 91% of non-Christians think we as a body are completely against people who are homosexual. This is just one of many statistics about how people view the church….is this really how we want to be viewed? It makes me wonder people view us about other issues. Too judgmental? Stereotypical? Hypocritical? Not respectful of other people’s beliefs? I don’t know about you, but if this is the rap that Christianity is getting, I think that something has gone terribly wrong.
          Let’s look at Jesus. Was Jesus judgmental? No. “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world” (John 12: 46, 47).  Jesus ate with sinners- he didn’t have a haughty greater-than-thou attitude at all. He welcomed them in and accepted them as they were - which is probably why He was able to reach so many. Did Jesus stereotype? Nope. In John 4: 1-12 Jesus went to the well for a drink of water. A woman came to the well while Jesus was resting, and He asked her for a drink. Jesus was a Jew and the woman was Samaritan- in that time, it was unheard of for a Jew to associate with a Samaritan. But Jesus was different. He asked the woman for a drink of water, and began to speak to her about her past even though they had never met before. Jesus didn’t walk away from the well just because a Samaritan was there as well- He sat and spoke with her just as He would with anyone else. Was Jesus hypocritical? “Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could become right with God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).  He lived what He preached. Was Jesus not respectful of other’s beliefs? Not as far as I can see. With all the scripture that I’ve read, I’ve never come across an instance where Jesus was forcing His beliefs on another person. Although he stressed that there was a great deal of sin present in the world and in idol worshipping religions, I think that He did so very respectfully.

          Here’s my point: If we are the body of Christ, why aren’t Christ’s qualities prevailing over the sinful qualities? People view us the wrong way entirely- or maybe not. Maybe we really are judgmental, stereotypical, hypocritical, not respectful, and the like. Regardless- Jesus had none of those qualities. Shouldn’t we as Christians strive to be like Christ? When Jesus says “Come, follow me,” He is placing His faith in us. Essentially He’s saying- hey, I think that you are good enough to live like me from this point on. So, come on and follow me, and I’ll teach you how to be righteous like I am. Back then, it was a REALLY big deal for someone to tell you that. Usually, the people who were chosen as disciples of a Rabbi had been studying the Torah their entire lives, and had even memorized the ENTIRE THING! That’s the whole Old Testament! It takes an incredible amount of faith in someone to say those three simple words, “Come, follow me,” yet Jesus placed his faith in the entire world- that was, and is, and is to come. He deems us worthy to follow Him.

          Here’s my challenge for you (and me) this week: Live like Jesus believes you can. Have the faith in yourself that Christ has in you.

          Please join us for Worship Night Part III this week! Stay updated on facebook, the group Psalm 150. I hope to see you there! GOD BLESS YOU ALL THIS WEEK!

Aftermath - Hillsong

Love, Mya Grace