Sunday, 04 January 2009
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Wow, I Didn't Know YOU Were a Christian!
Guest post submitted by Maesworld
As a Christian, hearing such a sentence can really make an eye twitch. I mean, if you take your walk with Christ seriously this sentence definitely wakes you up. Weird enough, I for one have never been on the receiving end of such a comment but I have witnessed situations where this comment was blurted out and then followed by a silence so awkward you would feel better if you just started poking your eyes with a fork.
The thing is, as Christians we are constantly being encouraged to shine, to light up the world but just in general to be different from the rest of the world, which of course shouldn't be so hard in a world that is constantly demanding originality, but yes it does usually end up being very difficult.
I mean, I've witnessed friends talk about the importance of waiting to be sexually active until you are married during youth meetings, only to find them bragging about their incredible sex-life in the bathrooms at school. But as always I remind myself that I have demons of my own and that I'm in no position to be judgmental but it does make you start wondering about the truthfulness of our Christianity doesn't it?
Being a Christian shouldn't be like that, no wonder people are sometimes judgmental towards us and even call us fakers because most of the time we are only pretending to be Christians and that somehow kills me, even when I look at my own actions and have that quite voice inside me scream 'is that really what Jesus would have done?'
Ever since I was old enough to actually understand why we went to church every weekend and why people spend hours talking about this huge big book that at the time only seemed interesting because of the stories, I've always wanted to be a decent Christian, one that God would be proud of. I wanted so much to be that girl that always sat at the same spot in church and always showed up for the youth meetings, always smiled, always helpful. Where you could tell she was different from the rest of the world before you even exchanged a single word with her...you could see her light from a far.
Anyway, as a new year begins my only wish is that I continue by the grace of God, to represent Him the best way that I can.
But hey, what are your thoughts about this subject? Do you think we should be different from the rest of the world or feel that people would feel more comfortable if we blended in a bit more?
Would love to read your feedback.
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- From: Maesworld@xanga
- Name: Maesworld
- About Me: There is a reason for every season,.. what can i say? I'm still waiting for the perfect sentence.
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Comments (89)
No, Christians are supposed to NOT live like the world. Tell me how it's done though, without extreme struggle, fatigue, and weariness so heavy that you can't hardly make faith an issue of joy. How does one leave their home in todays world and NOT be saturated with the world? I thought the longer you're a Christian, the easier it would become. Not so.
I think this statement is honestly ridiculous because who said that Christians should fit any one mold? What defines "a Christian" but one who believes Jesus to be the Son of the Father, God incarnate, born of a virgin by the Holy Spirit, to have died for mankind's sins and risen again? I think that is how it is possible that there are so many different denominations-- people interpret things differently and have personal relationships with God.
I've been on the receiving end of this statement (not because of anything I've done but because I don't talk in detail about my faith to those that I barely know) and it is hurtful. But then I reminded myself that it doesn't really matter how I am perceived by the rest of the world but by what God knows to be true. That being said, it doesn't really matter whether a Christian is outwardly different from the rest of the world or not (I'm thinking of an individual Christian in particular who was not allowed in a church because he had tattoos--ridiculous!). It's got to be what's on the inside.
How many times have there been televangelists who appear to be good and even exceptional Christians, different from the rest of the world, only to find out that they have been involved in financial scandals? I would say that priests are certainly exceptional-- most are great Christians but then there are the few, of course, that are not and have also brought scandal upon themselves when they otherwise appeared to be good.
I'm not saying that Christians should NOT ideally be kind, helpful people and try to live by Christ's example. I'm just saying that everyone makes mistakes and no one human is better than anyone else-- we are all of us sinners. But the one thing we all have in common is Christ's love and redemption and that should be what counts. We shouldn't care what the rest of the world thinks but do our best to follow Christ's example, whatever that may mean to us.
You're right in that Christians should be different. We shouldn't blend in with the world. But sometimes the comment "I didn't know you were a Christian" is directed at the person not because they blend in with the world, but because they don't blend in with "the church." Sometimes we stereotype what a Christian ought to look like, then we get upset when someone stretches our vision of following Christ.
@honeybises@xanga - I agree. I think that you should stand out because of your love for Jesus...but the only difference between a sinner and a saint is that the saint has been saved and forgiven of their sins...we are still going to fall short of the glory of God no matter what...if not we wouldn't need Jesus...our shortcomings constantly reminds us that we need Him..if we were perfect we would probably be so ego centered that we wouldn't stay in God's face as much as we should...sort of like when things are going great you kind of slack, but everyone runs to God at the first sign of difficulties. I think that I have the Holy Spirit and thus I can practice the characteristics of the Spirit...but I'm not going to pretend I'm perfect and flawless because I'm human like everyone else. Jesus changes you...but not overnight.
@honeybises@xanga - what I was thinking, but you posted first. Good thoughts.
Everyone should just be as good and productive of a person as they can personally be. That's it!
I've actually received the opposite response as well:
"Wow, I didn't know you WEREN'T a Christian!"
In school, I'd always been the prudent, polite, and compassionate person among my friends. When I told them I was agnostic-atheist, they were shocked. I think that's insulting.
So really, Christianity has nothing to do with it. There are reasons for EVERYONE to strive to be good!
The premise that Christians are somehow intrinsically different or better then the rest of the "unwashed heathens" has its roots in cultish bigotry.
Christianity is about worshipping and serving God not being better or holier than others. Worshipping and serving is an outflow of love and energy from the disciple to God.
Anyone can do that, even the most craven sinner.
I think our actions both in and out of church should definitly be God honoring and truthful but not on the single fact for others to see us. A friend told me this "if your are truly are in love with Christ ,you will not feel obligated to do anything you will WANT to do His will because you love Him" just like you Want to please a any other lover. Its amazing to fall into Gods arms!!! Its amazing when He becomes the Love of your life so much so that nothing else matters!
Shay
Each religion comes with its stereotypes, both from insiders and from outsiders. When someone says they are surprised you're a Christian, it could simply mean that you didn't fit their idea of what a Christian acts like. That doesn't have to be a bad thing. Some of those stereotypes aren't necessarily things you want to be associated with, anyway.
I have recently been on the receiving end of this comment and was happy to hear it. In fact, I've heard "Oh, you're a Christian," with a very obvious negative tone. :(
I think a not-so-uncommon secular view is that Christians are judgmental, "holier-than-thou" dogmatic zealots so I'm quite happy to break that unfortunate stereotype (um, I don't even like those type of Christians). I also believe God didn't create me to fit into some kind of mold, so maybe I can truly impact the world by not acting according to how it expects but to go against the grain... like, isn't that what Jesus did??
Mae, I'm glad to see you contributing here
even if some of the commenters on here can be a little rude.
I think there is a good and bad side to that "YOU are a christian?" reaction.
On the good side, a person can say that because they're used to condemnation or very serious people being Christians, and your joyous, loving self is not what they expect. So it's not always an insult!
But also on the bad side, it could be that we are so obsessed with everyday things that we give no indication that we care about God, others, or eternity. Then I definitely am concerned to hear that reaction for me!
Coming from someone who is not Christian. I don't think people should ever completely blend in with others and I believe diversity is a wonderful thing. However, I also believe that no one view or belief makes a person better than any other person.
Just be a good person altogether and don't worry so much about whether you shine or stand out. Love yourself and be happy. Be kind to others, no matter what their views are. Contribute to your community, volunteer at an animal shelter or a soup kitchen, plant a tree. You may not stand out as a Christian, but you will be glad you acted out of goodness and those you are kind to and help will be thankful.
I think the main defining character Jesus said would be most influentual is the love we have for one another. If there is no love our works or even behavior means nothing
So I think I'll start by quoting the Word of God...
1 Peter 2:9 says, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;"
that's the KJV...I believe this is the only version that I have that actually says "peculiar people." But that's beside the point. The emphasis should be on the latter part of the version anyway: "that ye should shew forth the praise of him who hath called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light."
We are CALLED to be different. We are CALLED to be the light amongst the darkness. So when we ask ourselves should we be different...that's questioning God. WHAT?! YES! You're called to stand out (love the picture at the beginning btw) and stand up for God. The statement "I didn't know you were a Christian" SHOULD bother us as Christians because, like you said, our light should be shining so bright that people should be saying, "Can you stop being a Christian? dang!" in which of course our answer would be "HECK NO!"
I'll end with something that Lecrae (one of the hottest gospel rappers out there) said on his most recent album Rebel...sinning is no longer the rebelious thing to do...everybody is doing it! If you want to go against the grain...try reading your Word...actually having a relationship with God...then you will be considered a Rebel!
I want to be a rebel...how bout you?
@ShamelesslyRed@xanga - I don't think it's so much that, as how we see the world.
As a Christian, I try to see the positive in the situation and show people that part, instead of seeing the negative. It's all a matter of mindset.
Christianity is never about morality. We have somehow managed to turn it into such, hence why Christians are so often labeled as hypocrites.
God is already proud and happy with those who accepted His son Jesus as their savior. There is no need to earn God's approval and acceptance as we already have it. This will free you from constantly trying to "better" yourself in the eyes of God and/or man.
Christians should be happy because of our identity in the universe as God's children. THAT is what should set us apart from everyone.
Good Post Mae--it was food for thought here at home tonight. Thank you.
Good one tonight! :)
@ShamelesslyRed@xanga - I think you already know something about how living different from the world is done. I can certainly relate to what you said about the world trying to saturate your life with things you don't want in it. I have given up being angry about it - I just immediately turn from looking or listening to the offensive thing, even though there is a temptation to turn back for just one more glimpse. It does get easier, though, when you realize how much Jesus endured for you. I think of how I like to please my loved ones on earth, my children, my parents, my wife, and dearest friends. Sometimes doing something for them is a chore, but the thought of seeing their face light up with pleasure makes it easier. That's what I think about when I endure hardship for my Lord.
Generally, when people express surprise that I'm Christian, it's because I don't fit the negative stereotypes that they associate with Christians.
I'm perfectly ok with dispelling negative stereotypes. After all, people should know us by our love, not by how annoying we are or how lacking in intelligence we are.
@LoBornlite@xanga - If a person has put God first in their life they will act differently than someone who has put money first in their life. It is not a "holier-than-thou"ness, but rather a difference in priorities. That shows in the decisions people make. Romans 12: 1 and 2 makes it clear that a Christian is not to be conformed to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds and offer our selves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Once you start doing that, you are no longer a craven sinner.
As for Christianity being an outpouring of love from the disciple to God, that is the most important law. The second is to love your neighbor as yourself. A Christian doesn't look down on others, but sees them through the eyes of God as someone to be loved.
If you do those things, I don't think you can help but stand out as different from the world.
@Nous_Apeiron@xanga - AMEN
@jwfarns@xanga - There are so many people who are not Christian who stand out in the way you have described. Christians do not have a corner on doing good in the world.
But they do have a corner on knowing who they worship. That is what makes Christians different. Your quote from Romans says exactly that. It is the selfless giving (the living sacrifice), to God and to one another that makes the difference.
It is God who makes the difference not the Christian different.
@ProfessorHahm@xanga - i'm reluctant to agree that morality has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity...because then again, we do want to try to be better in the eyes of God. And perhaps the eyes others wil see a Christian's walk, their renewed perspective on morality, see how he or she IS better (i guess its just important that the latter isn't the main point, right? :D)
as people genuinely grateful for what Jesus has done for us, it makes us want to be better :) right? it changes our hearts. and the change comes from the inside out; hearts are changed, and we "do" better. we don't "do" for God's salvation...that's whats given to us already...but we "do" for his glory, as a natural result of a changed heart that believes and understands in what Jesus did.
@LoBornlite@xanga - I never said Christians have the corner on doing good in the world. I only mean that walking with God everyday will make you a different person from the one you were before. That will stand out. You won't be able to keep it from showing, especially if your starting point was really far away from God to begin with.
As for Christians being the only ones who know who they worship, I'm not sure I know what you mean. I think Muslims know who they worship, as do Buddhists, Hindus and Jews, as well as other religions. If you mean they don't have a personal relationship with their respective deities, well, that is something different, but not something I feel confident in discussing.