unChristian.3

3.16.13

The third chapter discussed hypocrisy among Christians. I’m going to quote a lot of the book because it says everything I’d like to say in a clearer view.

“…Older born again Christians need to look more carefully at what Jesus teaches, that spiritual maturity is demonstrated in a life as an outcome of the condition of a person’s heart and soul, that behavior follows belief. And younger born again Christians need to take an honest assessment of their lives and realize that they are increasingly poor witnesses of a life and mind transformed by their faith. Embracing personal integrity and rejecting compromises to personal purity are crucial goals for young believers. We cannot hope to shed our hypocritical label if our lifestyle offers no proof of the “fruit” of Christlikeness. These are tough realities to think about, but we must do so if we hope to shift our reputation from unChristian to Christian.”
This paragraph sums up this chapter pretty well.

Unfortunately, a lot of outsiders are turned off to Christianity due to the hypocrisy in Christians. Now, understand the definition of hypocrisy: the practice of professing beliefs, feeling, or virtues that one does not hold or posses. “It is not hypocrisy when a pastor preaches against a sin with which he is personally struggling.”

Hope that clears the air, but the generation which is up and coming does not portray the life of Christ. Many young adult Christians still participate in drunkenness, gambling, pre-marital sex, same-sex relations, and illegal drugs. This allows those outside of the Christian faith to label Christians hypocritical as a whole since we claim to avoid those things.

As stated in the first half of the paragraph, older adult Christians have a lifestyle standard. Their Christian life follows the trend of “being a good person leads your relationship with God to be better.” However, that is not the good news of Jesus. The Gospel is that God’s work (sending His son to live a perfect life and die on the cross for our sins) has freed us from the endless striving to measure up to God’s standards (unachievable perfection). Which is why behavior follows belief. Not the other way around.
Yet the young adult Christian lifestyle portrays the opposite.

The balance should be easy. Found in the Bible: to be transparent first. To admit that we are all broken, sinful people that need to be saved by God. Not once. Not twice. But every single day.

"As an example, consider the difficult subject of abortion. For many women, it is easier to keep the “problem” hidden than to be candid. It doesn’t make the situation easier for young women who feel they have no other option. But what better place to deal with the difficulties of these pregnancies than within the church? Are we openly and honestly talking about sexual issue in our churches? Or are we hiding behind religious pretenses, pushing people away who have deep hurts and need? Are we helping people understand the gravity of their choices but also displaying a clear process to restoration, including providing financially for women and adoptive families? Do we wait until a person is forced to anguish over abortion, or do we nurture soft-hearedness and transparency in her life? Have we created relationships and expectations within our churches in which older women are accessible and transparent with younger women about their struggles – not just occasionally, but ongoing, real-life ways?
Based on our research, Christians are not defined by such transparency but by adherence to rigid rules and strict standards."

A general response (for Christians) from the book

• To be transparent and visible to others.
• Young people need leaders to be authentic. To be transparent and authentic require a certain balance.
• Don't use the cop-out "Christians aren't perfect, just saved." Scripture looks at the deep fractures of our heart and tells us to admit that we can never prove our worth; Jesus made us worthy by His sacrifice.
• Insure the motivation of transparency is right. Culture teaches people to be candid and blunt, but this usually revolves around self-centeredness. This is transparency for the sake of shock value and personal entitlement. Be motivated to confess your sins and bring light into the darkness before God.
• Out of that motivation, trust the outcome of restoration from God. "Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.." (James 5:16)

unChristian.2

3.4.13

Chapter 2

“It amazes me sometimes. Because you don’t see it often in this world anymore. But, you’re just a really kind person.”
That sentence will probably stick with me my whole life. 1) I don’t hear that adjective to describe me sadly. 2) My internal response was that I’m kind out of response of the kindness of someone greater than I.

That’s the feeling upon ending another chapter of unChristian. Simply understanding my own experiences that I do not portray how I would have dreamed of. Perceptions of my life are different depending on who you ask that interacts with me. There is no unison answer of “What a gentle person. One that is patient. Someone that brings joy to the atmosphere and loving to all.”
If only, right? Seriously though, I’d love to be described in such a way. But I’m not. I’ve got varying degrees of bad days each week. So people view me in a light of my actions and words.

“We have become famous for what we oppose, rather than who we are for.” -- unChristian
Christ was for the broken. He was for the lost. Mainly Jesus was for God and the love He has for us. If we are to be Christ-like, why then are people not filled with a sense of comfort and joy when knowing Christians as an outsider? Why don’t they feel loved? But instead feel weary and even frightened? Reading this book enlightens me as to how those who do not put their faith in Christ view us. Which is extremely saddening. With certain perceptions, they are blocked from being able to view Christ as He actually is.  

“Young outsiders are exposed to and can choose from virtually limitless options in life, from their perspective, why would they need Jesus?”
I believe technology leads to this. As a generation of satisfaction now, once disappointed we quickly move on to something in hopes of easing the pain or discomfort. And best case scenario, erasing the emotion completely to find fulfillment in the “next best thing.” We should show that the next, or the best thing of all, is Christ. Having a relationship with God.

unChristian

2.17.13

After finishing Gospel, which was truly amazing and you all should take some time to read it, I’ve started another book. This is unChristian by David Kinnaman. David is a researcher who has conducted a study on the people who consider themselves to be outside the Christian faith. (Not being a follower of Christ, so not necessarily non-religious, which he refers to as “outsider”).
I started last night and what to keep up with how I interpret the information displayed and hopefully keep up with posting. I have been away recently but I’m excited to transfer my notes as I read onto my blog and hope you feel comfortable agreeing, or disagreeing!
Here’s a sentence from the first chapter that is a great reminder for believers in Christ.  “Jesus is so much more than a logical proof. His life is the starting point where our lives can really begin.”
This is extremely significant to remember to progress in anyone’s walk as a Christian.  You cannot reduce the infinite God to something finite. His beauty is outstanding, and His glory and power is blinding. No human equation, theory, or analysis can comprehend Him. If you think you have, you’ve simply created a god to fit into a mold for your pleasures.

I made a post about a year ago in April quoting “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” – Ghandi

Which helps set the tone of the book for everyone I hope.