Sometimes I think more people would follow Jesus if it weren't for Christians. The reason is that people make up their mind about Christ, based on what they see in those that bear his name. Consider the following example.
On a recent Sunday morning, at a church in the Midwest, two men were denied the privilege of worship. Met at the door by two ushers, they were told that they would not be allowed entry because of their blatantly sinful lifestyle.
Stunned, the men asked how a church could take such an exclusive position. The answer came in the form of a stern judgment from one of the serious looking men, "You are a disgrace and an abomination to god." "We will not have you flaunting your sinful lifestyle while normal couples and families try to worship." The second usher leaned forward slightly and quoted a verse from the Bible. Proverbs 23:2, he snarled at the end of his recitation. It seemed to support his point of view.
The purpose of this account is not to argue whether the men's lifestyle was right or wrong. It is not to condemn them as sinners or approve them as normal. It isn't even aimed at debating whether their actions are genetic and unavoidable or simply chosen behavior.
The sole purpose of this article is to suggest that we try harder to imitate Jesus in our treatment of others, especially those different than us. Our job is to love without judgment. Too often we find a verse that condemns a sin, usually one we don't struggle with, and use it as an excuse to judge someone else. Yet we are warned not to judge in Matthew 7:1-5.
So the couple in our story, embarrassed and angry, returned to their car and drove away. Their sense of isolation was deeper than ever. Their opinion of Christ was distorted by those that purported to speak for Him. They couldn't believe they were rejected for obesity?
The incident was fictional. I chose gluttony because it seems to be a sin we overlook in ourselves. But you can reread the story and substitute the behavior you most detest. Make your couple two lesbians or gay men or an unmarried couple living together. Maybe you would prefer them to be members of a political party you despise. It won't change the message.
Though the incident at the church was a fictional illustration, it seems like Christians and Christian groups often make the news by fighting, condemning and judging somebody. Something is wrong when Christians are associated with judgment and hateful behavior.
True followers of Jesus reach out in love to everyone, even those that are the hardest for them to love. It doesn't mean we endorse their behavior. It just means pouring out unconditional love to people who need it.
Steve Radford was born in Virginia and currently resides in North Texas. He writes mostly about personal experiences that have shaped his view of the world.
» left by Dave Tanguay (2 years 45 days ago.)
I don't attend church services Steve ( although I have nothing against the church) however coming across articles like yours on a Sunday is all the sermon I need. You make a very good point...thanks Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 45 days ago.)
David,
Thanks for commenting. This article was in rough draft form when I read your "This Old World's Wakin..." article. I went back to finish and submit it (though it's still a little rough) because I thought we were on the same wave length. Beating the opposition into submission is not always the answer and was never the example that Jesus set.
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» left by Bruce Horst(162) Bruce Horst (2 years 44 days ago.)
Great writing Steve! I've often asked people if the mere fact that we look down our noses at others means that we don't understand the Grace by which we are saved. I mean, if we truly believe that we are saved because of what Jesus did on the cross and not because of anything we did ourselves, how can we look down our noses at others who are not doing the same thing as us? Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 43 days ago.)
You're so right Bruce. Once we recognize the grace that was extended to us, we can't possibly judge others. Thanks for commenting.
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» left by Robert Melaccio, Sr.(5,156) Robert Melaccio, Sr. (2 years 44 days ago.)
Yes. Steve a very good artilce. I think back a few weeks to a "makeover show' where a family who had aides children were thrown out of church. This is just another Christian church that forgot without love you have nothing. The sad fact is churches everywhere are divided by judgment. What one thinks is ok another doesn't. So what many beleive is wrong to others it is certainly acceptable to what they have been taught. You may not agreee but thats what they believe. So while we called to bring sin out into the light we are not judgmental we are just staing that which is. However, in doing so we are also called to love the sinner. Therefore it doess no good to confront but to pray for their soul. God will take care of the judgment. Your article is an article of sadness as to the plight of mankind. Best wishes RTM Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 43 days ago.)
Thanks for taking time to read and comment Robert. I didn't see the makeover show you mentioned but that is heart breaking.
I don't know if I made the point I wanted to make but I just wish we could live in a way that caused people to associate Christians with love and support instead of judgment and rejection.
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» left by Susan Thom(12,110) Susan Thom (2 years 44 days ago.)
hi steve,
i was raised Catholic, went to Catholic school, and couldn't stand the hypocrisy i listened to in the church, so i couldn't wait to be of age, i think it was 16, where i could convince my parents i was old enough to choose not to go. your story is exactly why i stopped going.
i tried a different denomination, and found the same to be true, and the last straw was the month of trying to get everyone to donate a certain portion of their yearly income. bye bye.
i choose to do my good deeds without the hypocrisy of conventional "houses of the Lord" where the people all look so happy and gopd, until you hear them at the A&P after church yelling at each other and their kids in the next aisle!
thanks for a provacative, good article,
best regards,
sue thom Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 43 days ago.)
Thanks for the comments Susan. Unfortunately, I don't think your church experience is unusual. But there are some good churches that will provide tremendous teaching, support and encouragement. Fortunately we don't have to be perfect to attend those churches. Otherwise they would never let me in.
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» left by Jon Searles(2,087) Jon Searles (2 years 43 days ago.)
Steve,
Although your story is fiction, I know its premise is based in fact from some of my own observations. Years ago as I made the argument that I was not going to "hypocritical" churches to worship and they all fell under that light of truth, I realized I was not going to church to worship those in the church, but to worship Christ. I do think you can be a Christian and not go to church just like I can be a basketball player and not be on a team, but the team can make it so much more rewarding. There is an old church joke about a man who try's to get into a church only to be denied entry by the leadership when they tell him he was not allowed to join the congregation. He responded by saying that it was okay because God had revealed to him that God too had been denied entry into that congregation. Thanks. Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 43 days ago.)
Great points Jon! I wasn't intending to slam churches. I just think Christians have the opportunity to change the world if we will love people when they least expect it and flatly refuse to judge anyone. Thanks for the comments.
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» left by Judi Lake(1,866) Judi Lake (2 years 43 days ago.)
Steve, your first line said it all, "Sometimes I think more people would follow Jesus if it weren't for Christians...." Christians, above all, should remember that Christ DIED FOR EVERYONE; not just a few here and a few there. I will never forget driving through Manahattan with a few church leaders when I was younger. As we cut through the Bowery, one of the top leaders muttered, "Can you believe that Jesus died for THEM?" That always stuck with me because, yes, Jesus did die for the "drunks" as well and it is not our place to judge anyone. Another great one, Steve! Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 43 days ago.)
Judi,
I'm glad you were able to discern the truth, on that drive through the Bowery. You know what's really outrageous? He died for me. I know me. And it would be the understatement of the year to say I didn't deserve it. Thanks for the nice comments.
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» left by Anonymous (2 years 43 days ago.)
Excellent! It is sad but you have clearly stated the reasons why I have stopped worshiping God in a building. Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 42 days ago.)
The building isn't the important thing. But it's tough to grow solo. I'm encouraged that there are more people seeking out the real deal, a relationship with the living God, even as they reject some of the old traditions.
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» left by Scott from Dallas, TX (2 years 42 days ago.)
The very essence of being a Christian is being agreeable to the faith in Christ, which also includes everything He says, otherwise it is not Christianity. Your article reflects what I consider to be superficial judgment. Not every one who overeats is fat, and not every one who eats a normal amount of food is thin. Therefore, what you might be trying to say is that superficial judgment is like fictional perception. How can I know unless you tell us? Should we disregard the judgment of God rather than our own judgment? I'm sure that when Jesus said, "Judge not lest ye be judged," it was by no means meant to imply disregard to God's judgment, but to our own superficial judgment. Otherwise the gospel would be in vain. Let us now define the word "oxymoron" as it is, a figure of speech which yokes two contradictory terms as being agreeable. Consequently, the Word of God stands. There is no division between the Word of God and His Name. For the sake of conclusive understanding here, I happen to be both lean and strong in physical stature. And from what I understand, gluttony not only applies to overeating, but overindulgence or hoarding in the general sense of the word. The world defines it one way, but the Word of God is self explanatory. Is successful gluttony not the end result of covetousness? I want what's on my plate, and yours? I want everything that I deserve and I want yours, too? Jesus said we should love one another just as much as we love ourselves. I think this applies to reality in every conceivable way. Personal esteem as well as equality. Spiritual as well as physical. Sentimentally as well as financially. In some cases, we may actually need to disregard our selves in order to accept Christ. In other words, repent. All pretense aside, what a great attention getter! Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 41 days ago.)
Scott,
Thanks for taking time to comment and for some interesting perspective and context.
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» left by Deirdre Reilly from Boston, MA (2 years 42 days ago.)
Very nicely written article - the song "Amazing Grace" applies to us all, we each have something we struggle with. Misrepresenting Christ is a serious matter, and leaders and churchgoers seem to have somehow forgotten this. We "represent" Christ in our treatment of others. Great job! Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 41 days ago.)
Deirdre,
Thanks for your gracious comments.
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» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 41 days ago.)
Thanks E.
If something I write just helps someone to see Jesus, the one who knows everything about me and loves me anyway, I will be delighted.
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» left by Angie Lewis(13,789) Angie Lewis (2 years 28 days ago.)
Very Well stated! Excellent article! Keep up the insightful writing.
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (2 years 25 days ago.)
Angie,
Thanks for reading and for the encouragement.
Steve
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» left by (1 year 344 days ago.)
I love the way you ask the reader to put the thing or person they detest the most. It makes you think. I love Matthew 7:1 (one of my favorites). Respond to this comment
» left by Teresa Ortiz(10,864) Teresa Ortiz (1 year 326 days ago.)
Hi Steve, better late than never :-) I just came across this article. It's sad but true. I remember people leaving the church I attended because we "allowed" bikers in our church. Some still had a rough word here and there, but the point was they were growing closer to the Lord. I'll never forget our pastors response to such people "well, we would rather have these bikers in here with us and not out there on the streets killin' people like they used to" I couldn't have agreed more! Didn't Jesus say He came to seek and save the lost? Wouldn't all the buildings be empty if only perfect people could attend? Anyway, thanks for sharing. May God forgive us! Teresa Respond to this comment
» left by Steve Radford(1,026) Steve Radford (1 year 324 days ago.)
Thanks Teresa. We had a guy attend our church recently who had just been released from prison. I agreed to drop him off at the halfway house and he mentioned that everyone at the church treated him like they had known him all his life. He's been back every week since. You are exactly right when you say 'the buildings would be empty if only perfect people could attend'. Thanks for reading and for your spirit of grace.
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Intolerance can be a Christian virtue. Example: Jesus chastised one of the seven churches (Rev. 2) for being tolerant. Paul told one of the churches not even to eat with someone who was immoral and professed faith. I realize what modern pop-Christianity teaches, but Mt 7 doesn't warn against all judgment...only hypocritical judgment. Hated the article...wreaks of humanistic sentiment mixed with Christianity. Check my article on the same topic: Intolerance: A Christian Virtue
I'll check out your article. When I wrote this one, I expected more
comments like yours from people that place doctrine, religion and
traditions of man above a personal relationship with Jesus. Not to say
that describes you but just that I thought more would take exception to
my position.
But Jesus spent significant time with sinners. Not to approve but to
love and redeem them. He never beat them down or exhibited hate toward
them. I don't think that's modern pop anything. It's the truth of the
story as a whole. All the best. Steve
Hi Daniel, sorry to intrude, but I would just like to point out the example that Steve gave is an example of hypocritical judgment and even pre-judgment. The reason being is they did not invite these men and which could have led to them sharing their heart and their desire to live as God wants them to, but they just need some help. Jesus he came to heal those who are sick. What is the church for if not the sick? I don't see any compromise of Biblical values and true Christian judgment in this article. I do however, see a great judgment on your part of all of us how responded differently than you. By your comment, you are saying that each of us who agreed with Steve are compromising Christians. That is a judgment if I ever heard one.
Boy, if Jesus waited until I stopped sinning to accept me, I would still be dead in my sin....and so would you. Romans tells us that "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us". These fictional men in this fictional account apparently forgot that part.
You make a good point. but you are making an assumption that these two new guys who wanted to come into the church had no intentions of changing their ways.
Paul qualified his statement, following it up with saying he is not talking about non believers for then we would have to get off the planet.
» left by Daniel LaLond Jr. (1 year 120 days ago.)
Jesus indeed loved and took time with sinners, but not with hypocrites. That is, with those who profess to know God with their lips but in deeds deny Him. Your idea as stated plainly in an earlier response: "we will love people when they least expect it and flatly refuse to judge anyone" is simply not scriptural nor is it loving. It is, however, quite congruent with the Christianity of our age, hence the response to this article.
The comments posted here are exactly as I would have expected given the condition of the church at large and given the prevalence of postmodern humanism in religious thought (though most Christian humanists would never consider themselves "religious").
Exihibting judgment when scripturally called for is not exhibiting hate. It is exhibiting love. To "love" and to "accept" and to fail to show judgment where judgment is needed is actually not love at all, but rather it is hate. A "judgmental Christian" is not an oxymoron, it is a biblically and historically based Christian if his judgment is levied when scripturally mandated.
How does exhibiting judgment play out? For instance, I may sit and talk to a homeless addict, give him a clean pair of socks and cold water. I talk to him about his spiritual condition and encourage him not to give up and that God wants to help him. Loving someone who no longer expects it. What is your alternative? What does your loving judgment look like?
By the way, I went to your website but didn't see the article you mentioned. I'll read it when it comes out. Maybe it will explain.
» left by Cherokee from Alabama (28 days 5 hours ago.)
The type of person this poem describes is what many people think of when they think of a Christian. It's too bad that they don't think of an example like Mother Therese instead.
Sometimes the truth isn't "nice", but it's still the truth.
An Evangelical “Christian’s” Night-time Prayer
Now I lay me down to sleep
Pray to God my soul to keep
I voted for Bush the Texacutioner
Who put more people to death than an executioner
The highest execution rate of any governor in history
How he was elected president is still a mystery
The biggest serial killer since Timothy McVeigh,
mocks Karla's pleas for clemency during her final days
I hold stoutly to my world view
Despite being contradicted by what is proven true
I believe the earth to be only 4000 years old
“Intelligent” design is the view I hold
Even though evolution explains how life changed and adapted
verified by countless experiments not retracted
the scientific facts should be stricken as inadmissible
teaching creationism to our children is permissible
Take some parts literally, others out of place
And I can use the Bible to judge the whole human race
Pat Robertson said 9/11 was a punishment from God
That innocents died instead of him he didn’t find odd
For lifestyles of feminism, liberalism, and being gay
Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson said over 3,000 people died that day
That God will punish them for their remark
Pride has hidden from a judgmental heart
“After the last tree standing is felled”
“Christ will come back” I heard James Watt tell
you see evangelicals don’t care about generations
because they won’t have to be here to face elimination
“compassionate” conservatives fantasize about journeying through the air
As Left Behind: The Series plays out below everywhere
While pollution they caused brings about ecological collapse
It doesn’t bother them that people will die perhaps
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