I am a born and raised Christian, though I am not really that proud to admit that many times these days. Not because of my personal faith and trust in Jesus Christ, or the Bible or God… but because there are too many wacky Christians out there who give us “some-what” normal Christians a bad name.
I live in Kansas City, and there is an area downtown called the Plaza (a cool place for a romantic horse carriage rides, great shops and a ton of great fountains) and when you go there on a Friday or Saturday night you will encounter the guy I affectionately call, “the plaza preacher”. This guy is a piece of work to say the least. He is a megaphone preacher guy. He condemns everyone to a hot hell and has the huge sign to promote that beautiful message of hope and love for those who are lost.
This is one of many reasons I am finding it difficult to “like” Christians. Yes, I of course in reality love Christians, shoot I am one! This is just my way to VENT my frustration over the Pharisee type Christian who violates the John 8 scripture where Jesus has a women caught in adultery thrown at His feet to judge. And if you know the story, Jesus of course DOES NOT judge her to a hot hell. But He does address those Pharisees who brought her to Him to judge by saying, “ye without sin cast the first stone.” Thank God that didn’t happen today, because I truly believe some Christians would be throwing stones. And that my friends is what bites my tail! Christians who think they stand in the position as Jesus… perfect and able to cast stones.
The interesting thing about Jesus was that HE was perfect and had the right to cast a stone, yet He did not! And He is the ONLY one who could have done so, and been justified.
I also hear people say to me that we’re trying too hard to reach the lost! ( I am laughing here)… hello, ahhhh yes we are! And that is a problem why?
Jesus was mocked as a wine bibber… so we are in good company! The key in my opinion is to be IN the world and not OF it. I can be right in the middle of a whore house, but do not have to pay for their services. But some Christians do not look at it that way… and the reality is…. That is fine… for them. But not for me! I can not ONLY live my life in the little Christian culture only hanging out with nice Republican voting, Christian music listening, non-tattoed, suit-wearing people. I am sorry, I just can’t live my life like that, then die and face Jesus and have Him look me in the face and ask… “who’d you show my love too?” Oh no! I would feel like that dude who buried his talent and when the master came to collect he dug it up and gave it back… and the master said, “you wicked servant!”
I believe you can be in the culture and not of it so to speak. I do not have to smoke pot to reach a pot smoker! I do not have to be an adulterer to reach an adulterer. But to reach anyone WE must LOVE as Jesus loved!
If you are reading this and you are not a Jesus follower… can I just say I am so sorry for the way we Christians have portrayed Christianity! I hope to change that so that people can get a true taste of the Gospel that Jesus preached… a gospel of love and hope!
On the other hand if you are a Christ follower please be like Jesus… please love all people, even when you feel they are “violating” the Bible. Love is what leads people to faith… “faith works by love” the bible says!
Live for Jesus!
Timmy Gibson
