Misunderstanding Christianity

Of course, we as Christians are not perfect—not by a long shot. Among many Christians some of the time, and among some Christians much of the time, sins such as hypocrisy, judgmentalism, and pride rear their ugly heads. Believers need to confront these sins and repent of them, to be sure. It’s a big problem when Christians misrepresent their faith and their perfect Savior, Jesus Christ.

On the other hand, it also is a problem when non-Christians misunderstand believers who consistently live out the tenets of their faith in their daily lives. Mark it down! Christians can be accused of hypocrisy, judgmentalism, pride, as well as a wide array of other sins—when they actually are innocent. Here’s why. The world perceives Christians to be guilty as it evaluates them and their actions in terms of their own worldview. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 2:12,14:

¹² Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.…¹⁴ But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

While wholly affirming all Paul said, I would hasten to add that unbelievers’ misconceptions about Christianity also result from their not knowing the truth about Jesus’ life and ministry, and the overall positive influence Jesus’ followers have had on the world through the centuries.

Here is a brief video that recounts how Christianity has, through the centuries, changed the world for the better.

Easter Is Coming

In just over three short weeks, Easter will be here. I have found that around sacred holidays, people are more open than usual to listening to and interacting about Jesus and the difference he has made in the world — as well as the difference He can make in a person’s individual life.

Several years ago, I created a bookmark to give to the folks in my neighborhood, along with a Christmas gift that was a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas. The bookmark carried this message. Hyperlinks, of course, have been added to this online text.

Some have said that Jesus was a liar; but, as imperfect as Jesus’ followers have been, no liar ever could have inspired so many to turn from practicing evil to doing good. Some have said He was a lunatic, but an insane man never would have said the kinds of things Jesus said—words that have brought to people an immeasurable amount of peace, comfort, and motivation to do right. Others have said He was a legend, but the writers of the New Testament were eyewitnesses; they could not have written what they wrote and gotten away with it if their words were untrue.

What other alternative exists concerning Jesus’ identity? The only other option available to us is that He was who He claimed to be—God’s only Son who came down from heaven to live among us and show us what God is like.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

I ran out of room on the bookmark, but here is the rest of the story: Jesus not only came to show us what God is like; He came to be executed on a cross on a Passover Friday in our place, for our sins. Then, the following Sunday, He rose from the dead, proving that God had accepted His atoning sacrifice.

When an individual comes to God in sorrow for his or her sins and asks Him to credit Jesus death to his or her own account, God hears that individual, forgives that person’s sins, and gives that person new life.

The apostle John wrote in John 11:25-26 that Jesus made a bold claim and then asked a penetrating question of a close friend: “I am the resurrection and the life,” He said, “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

I am the resurrection and the life,” He said, “He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?
—Jesus to His friend Martha in John 11:25-26—

This question confronts each one of us. No better occasion exists than Easter to respond to Jesus’ question sincerely and with a resounding yes! For more information, go here.

Pray for opportunities to share the truth about Jesus with others this Easter. Consider sharing this post with someone, and ask that person to share his or her thoughts with you. It will give you a chance to share your perspective on Jesus with your friend.

People are more open than you think.