Questions
We get asked many questions every day and the question is how honest are we? How many times a day do you get asked, “How are you?” I believe we all get asked that question multiple times a day, especially if you’re working outside the home, going to church, school or shopping. And what would your answer be? I usually say, “I’m doing good.” Is that always true? No! Who wants to tell everyone how their day is really going?
Pain
There is so much pain today. It is masked by smiles, joking, laughter, etc. Also, it may even be masked by other things like anger, unkindness, judging, gossiping, etc. It is easy to point our fingers at others either in a way to make us feel better about our problems or to make us feel sorrier for ourselves.
The reality is that no one is exempt from a day, week, month, or even year of disaster. It seems that things around us are getting worse and worse. Almost every day I hear someone say at work, “Did you hear…?” This world is falling apart as we speak. Things are getting more and more evil. Satan is working his hardest to destroy. And there are many, many, many people struggling and suffering. Some are obvious and others are hiding behind a mask. And even with the ones that seem obvious they are behind a mask more than you may think. People are hurting.
Church
As Christians, you would think the church would be a safe zone. A place where you would feel loved and accepted even when it may seem obvious that you’re struggling. But, sadly, most of the time this is not true. In a so-called Christian environment, there seems to be more judging than any other place. This is not the way God intended for our Christian community to be.
How did Jesus say that others would know that we are His disciples? “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also loved one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” John 13:34, 35. And how has Jesus shown His love to us? He laid down His life for us. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” John 15:13. If nothing can separate us from the love of God as stated in Romans 8:38, 39, then there should be nothing that separates us from the love of our Christian brothers and sisters or in loving our Christian brothers and sisters.
Fear
There is a fear that comes to all of us. We come to church trying to fit in and always look as if we have it all together. And we smile and look cheerful while our hearts are hurting. We are falling apart inside but fear to let anyone know. Our thoughts are that we have to be always strong because we are Christians and we should always have things all together. But inside we may be miserable.
There are some that are doing all the “right things” for fear that they won’t be loved or even liked unless they do. They are concerned about what other people are going to think about every decision they make. So they try to make all the “right” decisions at least at church. Then they end up looking “good” but being one thing at church and another thing outside of the church.
And then there is another group, which a lot of time is where some young people fall. A lot of times they get to the point that they don’t care anymore what people think. The reality is they do care but they are trying to quit caring because they are tired of living a life to please others. They quit coming to church because to be themselves they can feel the cold shoulder, they can feel the non-acceptance.
The reality is they should want to please God more than to please people. But in their struggle, they have no one to turn to because the Christian community seems to shun and not love those that are struggling. The love of Christ is gone and a Pharisaical attitude has taken its place.
Sinners
I can guarantee that all of those that tend to point fingers or make others feel unaccepted are not perfect. It is easy to point the finger. But the reality is that we are all sinners. We all struggle each day with temptation and we fail at times. Those that seem “rebellious” are hurting inside and God so much wants to reach their heart. But oftentimes Christians are a stumbling block to those that are struggling.
Unfortunately, as humans we tend to look at other humans and care what they think or how they treat us. And then we interpret what they say and do with God. Thus we suddenly have no desire for Christianity. And then “Christians” wonder why.
We are all sinners and we all struggle each day. In God’s eyes sin is the same no matter how “little” we may think it is. “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty. For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment” James 2:8-13.
As Christians
Christ’s method alone will bring those around us to a saving relationship with Jesus. What is His method? Study His life. As Christians, we should be the most loving people. We are going to be known for our love. Do those around us feel so safe that they can come to us if they are struggling with anger, depression, discouragement, etc.? Or are we so “perfect” that we expect others to be the same? I have seen what damage those who look at others and see them as not “perfect” enough to be in their group cause. Is that really how Jesus looks at us? Thanks be to God that it is not. If God looked at us the way we deserve to be looked at we would be in big trouble. But thankfully He looks at our potential rather than our failings.
Dear Father,
We need Your love not only for ourselves but we need Your love to change our hearts. Forgive us for not allowing the love that You give us to shine through to others. Help us as we look at those around us, to see Your Son hanging on the cross for them. I know that I need Your forgiveness. Cleanse us all and give us Your heart of love. Thank You for Your love and mercy toward each of us and help us to show the same to others.
In Jesus,
Amen
I challenge you to see others through the eyes of Christ and love them as He loves them. If you are hurting and feeling alone and unaccepted I challenge you to reach out. There are those that do love you.
Love you all!
Do you have a story where you loving someone “unlovable” and how it changed their life? Or maybe you are someone who had someone love you unconditionally, how did it change your life? I would love to hear your story! Please share it below.