Wednesday, 16 July 2008
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Can You Prevent Yourself From Misrepresenting Christ?
from enigma_0Z
First impressions are important - at least that's what everyone says. I've refused to display a Christian symbol on my car for fear that I will make some driving maneuver that would be considered rude, thus tarnishing someone's opinion of Christianity.But if we're supposed to be the "light and salt of the earth," "a peculiar people," and of course "not conformed to this world," I should be an example. But how can I do so when my actions may inandvertently misrepresent Christ? I suppose the question really is whether or not it's okay to show that Christians are flawed. Will my imperfect actions turn someone's opinion away from Chrisitanity rather than lead someone to Christ, or I am just splitting hairs?
Is it possible to be an example for Christ when my actions may not show him? I mean, I'm human. Sooner or later I'll mess up, but if I declare my faith publicly, do I trust God to fill in the gaps when I mess up, or do I not broadcast that I'm a Christian?
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Comments (17)
I think that if we let God speak through us then this will not be an issue. God will give you the words to speak and then He's responsible for the outcome. If we do not speak up and say what He has put in our heart to say (or do, even), then we are guilty and are responsible for not listening to God.
God knows we'll mess up. However, He also has the power to take our mistakes and use them for His glory in a way we never think is possible.
I don't think fear of messing up is a good excuse to avoid representing Christ. I believe that when we apologize for our mistakes and honestly own up to them, we are showing true Christianity to the world, and that is very valuable.
God already knows what mistakes we will make, and He will use them for His glory. The important thing for us is to grow closer to Him so that His life will live through us and help us become more and more of an exact reflection of Him.
Also, when we are close to Him, He shows us exactly what it means to represent Him in each situation, whether our witness should be quiet or loud at a given time.
this kind of reminds me of the "What I learned through agnostics and Atheists" post last week.
You've basically got 2 choices; Don't confess your faith, or accept the fact that when you make a mistake, there will always be a group of people that point to it as hypocrisy. If there's a way to talk with them when you slip-up, be willing to make that effort.
This is basically the realization I came to...
http://weblog.revelife.com/enigma_0Z/665519568/re-being-an-example-for-christ.html
I also agree that it is more important to show Christ through your mistakes, and show God's forgiveness through our own human imperfection.
I really can't think of any good reason why you should go out of your way to hide your faith and commitment to Christ. Being bold enough to risk making mistakes is a lot more courageous, respectable, and honorable than shrinking in a corner when it comes to declaring your faith.
I think what others think of Christianity depends on their attitude to begin with. There are many people who are die-hard, cynical skeptics who already think that Christians are hypocrites for admitting they're human, and there isn't a lot you can do to change their mind.
You know you are human and may make mistakes, and God definitely knows you are human, so there's nothing to worry about. I think that you shouldn't be so worried about potentially leading someone farther from Christ that you miss an opportunity to lead them to Him.
First off, if God can meet you where you are in life, than he can certainly meet others where they are in life. (I don't know you so that by no means is to suggest anything
). I think that it surprises when people see Christians mess up because they have these misconceptions that Christians are perfect or that we can't do anything wrong. However, a lot of people have seen Christ through me messing up. They see that I accept Christ into my life because I need him. I'm never going to be perfect on my own, but with Christ by my side I am made "qualified" to receive his grace. I like your post because it brings up a lot of great points 
Your line of questioning is very familiar to my own.
We all misrepresent Christ sooner or later, because we're never going to lose all of our sin nature here on this earth. I think it's better to go ahead and admit our flaws, or realize that people will see them, than to hide everything under a "perfect Christian" mask. The masks many people wear are false and deceptive and that is what really will alienate others from wanting to be associated with Christianity. I know, if I was not a believer, I would respect Christians much more if they were being "real".
The best thing is to go ahead and admit your faults freely to those you associate with, and also to admit just as freely what you’re doing to work on them. That we know how our thoughts and actions should be, work on it, and pray about it.
Another benefit – of the fish on the car or whatever – is that maybe it will help us improve ourselves. For example, that you would think more about how you drove and it would cause you to do a better job. (safer too!)
Don't worry, be happy.... Hey... I think that phrase will catch on...
Whether you display a sticker on your car or not is a personal choice.. If you do and you make a mistake in driving, that upsets another person .. that doesn't mean you are giving Jesus a bad name.... NOW ... If someone knew you were a Christian and you got so upset at someone and gave them the finger and yelled obscenities.... THAT would be giving Jesus a bad rap.
Some may not agree with this... but what about going to a BAR and having a drink? .... someone that knows you may come up and say HEY .... your Christian.. Your not supposed to drink... What better way to get a conversation going about Jesus.... and possibly a convert? Think about that for awhile....and the discussions that could create.
Well, when I'm on the road, I think everyone's a horrible driver because they scare me, so I'm probably not going to care if there's a fish sticker or not.
But seriously, I agree with the others. God's either going to work through you, or He's going to move you out of His way. God doesn't NEED any of us. But He wants us and He wants to use us to fulfill the amazing things He has planned. He knows that we're going to mess up, and we need to know that to. As Christians, we need to strive to be the best that we can be in Christ, to love people and follow Him whole heatedly. But we need to realize that, as humans, we are going to mess up. I don't think that I have gone a single day without sinning, even something as small as not taking the initiative to go and talk to someone about Christ or because I slept away my Saturday when God could have been using me for a much greater purpose.
But God knows all of this. And there are going to be times when we mess up. But when you do mess up, He is going to be there to work in your life so that He is glorified, and others will see that.
And if it makes any difference at all, the fish sticker [even though I have one on my car too] probably isn't going to make much of a difference whether it's on or off. I normally don't have people come up beside me, roll down there window and say, "Hey! Saw your sticker! What can you tell me about God?"
So don't worry! God will take care of it. He is the one in control, and He is the one who is going to manifest the means to His plans. Just do as He commands in your heart and follow His word. He'll guide you. =]
Fear of failure isn't the Father's heart and there's no place in the Kingdom for that. God's love drives out fear. Be recklessly abandoned to Him, knowing Him, and loving Him and loving others. Forget about what they think and know that He thinks your pretty darn cool.
It has often been quoted "Preach always, use words when necessary." Yet, we seem to be on a swing of the penduluum where we are trying to live out Jesus but not speak Jesus. I think ballance is the key. We do need to speak Jesus, but we do need to live Jesus as well.
I remember a sermon where Pastor said that God was not so concerned with whether or not we succeed. He just wants us to go. To do what He asks of us.
enigma_0Z - You are only human. You are bound to make a mistake sometimes however, it is how you recover from that mistake that seperaes you from the world. The bible says tht people will know who we are from the LOVE we have one for another.
You should not hide your candle under a bush in fear that you would misrepresent God. This is what the enemy wants you to do. If you should stumble, get back up and try again.
God has not given us the spirit of fear. There is no condemnation to those in Christ Jesus that walk after the spirit and not the flesh.
You should not have to post a sign to display who you are. You can tell a tree by it's fruits.
I think theres a time to represent Christ. If you feel he's telling you to tell someone about him or bring it up in a conversation then you should do it and maybe one day you'll mess up in front of whoever you shared it with but thats just the way it goes. we are human and the great thing about it is when you do mess up and someone may get the wrong idea of christianity you can just tell them well its okay if i mess up because thats the whole purpose of Jesus dying for our sins and this opens up another door to share your faith. Just trust God and try your best thats all thats expected :)
This is an excellent point and a fantastic topic!
I think that it's totally okay to proclaim yourself a Christian even if you inadvertently make mistakes. The point of being a Christian is not that you have taken on a promise to be a perfect person, it's that you have joy, forgiveness and security even in your imperfection.
If people see that you have to be perfect every time in order to be a Christian why would they want to be a part of such a faith? I certainly wouldn't... I mess up way to much to sign up for perfection. True Christianity is not about you righteousness really, it's about Christ's forgiveness.
Now granted I'm not sticking a fish on my car, a cross around my neck, or tattooing John 3:16 on my knuckles but that's because I know dozens of people who have done so who didn't call upon the name of Jesus unless they stubbed their toe. I don't want anything to do with them. My "peculiarity" comes from what I say and do not what I wear or symbols I stamp on my stuff.
Great post... I recommended it to people. Important subject to think about.
GEOFF
I automatically smile with much delight and gratitude and say "God bless you" whenever I see vehicles with Christian posters and stickers, etc.
But a Christian officemate once told me she got embarrassed when her temper flew off and her unbeliever sister told her, "Is that what you got from your Bible?!"
Personally, I feel that announcing your religious affiliations at the beginning of a relationship may be a big over kill. But I do think that it is important that people know your beliefs and the best way to bring that up (for me) has been to just do it as they get to know you. First impressions are a big factor with my church and converting people. I know so many people who were turned off of my church because of someone's carelessness ... By that, I mean, someone either didn't care or didn't realize someone was watching when they did something rude/sinful/judgmental. There are also many people who have left the church because of a similar situation. It sucks, but I try my hardest to be an example. I believe that if we are doing our best, God will make up the difference. There are more subtle ways of declaring your love for Christ, but I think being an example is the best way.