I had a discussion today with a guy that most Christians love to hate. This man used to be a Christian, but rejected it all about twenty years ago, and now lives as a pot-smoking, cursing, swinging spiritist.
Yet as I talked to him, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the conversation… more than any theological or biblical conversation I have had in the last several years. It was one of the most refreshing and eye-opening discussions I have ever had.
It wasn’t refreshing and eye-opening because of anything I learned from him, but because it gave me a new appreciation into how many Christians treat non-Christians, compared to how many non-Christians treat Christians in return.
He told me about some of the criticism he gets from Christians, and how he just tries to respond with kindness and love. Isn’t it strange that many Christians, who are supposed to be known for our love, really only have love for each other, whereas everyone outside our “group” gets condemned and criticized for their beliefs and behavior?
I have noticed this sort of behavior on many fronts.
I have noticed this not just in my interactions with people at work and with my neighbors, but also online and in movies. As an example, did you see the movie God’s Not Dead? In it, a Christian university student is challenged by an atheist professor to defend his evangelical beliefs.
I found it strange that in the movie, the meanest and rudest people were the atheists. Also, the “token” Muslim family had a father who beat his daughter.
This is the sort of way Christians often portray non-Christians to one-another, which only goes to show that many Christians have absolutely no idea what most atheists and Muslims are like.
The people that Christians most loudly denounce are often some of the most gracious people to be around.
Doesn’t that seem strange?
Those of us who are saved by grace, teach grace, write about grace, proclaim grace, and have “grace” in the names of our churches and ministries, are some of the least gracious people that exist.
Which got me thinking… just like the preacher pounds the pulpit during his weakest points, maybe those who talk loudest about grace are trying to compensate for a lifestyle that lacks grace.
Maybe those of us who talk and write a lot about grace should follow the example of non-believers (and Jesus) and start living grace before we ever start to talk about grace with others.
Besides, living out grace is a better way to teach grace any day.
Jeremy,
The older I get the more grace I extend, the more patient I become (ask my two sons for a witness!), and more and more intolerant of religion and legalism. There are other things that get me riled up, but those two are at the top.
I guess my point here is that in following Jesus he was always gracious with those who were in the greatest need spiritually. However, to the religious legalists he verbally hammered them.
If we are following Him as disciples should we follow the example He set for us?
His,
Jim
Jim,
Excellent point. Jesus wasn’t gracious with everyone…He blasted the religious leaders of his day.
Of course, I don’t think I’m in a position to go around blasting any religious leaders. “To your own master you stand or fall…”
Great, how do I get started?
David,
That’s funny!
I had no intention of being critical of others with my post. I suppose I should have made it a bit more autobiographical. In my past (very recent past) I have spent a lot of time talking, speaking, and writing about grace, and very little time showing it or living it. I am trying to correct that.
I will make a post tonight about how I am doing this.
Looking forward to it.