I get it Neville. I too thought similar things at one time, but decided to dig in and study Jesus. What I found surprised me and amazed me. I think it would surprise you too.
Here's a summary of what I learned in case it's helpful.
Here's a summary of what I learned in case it's helpful.
https://twitter.com/NevilleBartos10/status/1393957367906291717
Jesus was a radical whose ideas turned the world upside down.
He believed in the inherent value of all human life, which is the basis for human rights. He fiercely defended the poor and oppressed, condemning only the self-righteous religious elites.
He believed in the inherent value of all human life, which is the basis for human rights. He fiercely defended the poor and oppressed, condemning only the self-righteous religious elites.
He proclaimed truth with love, warning against the distortive effects of money and power. He was a friend to outcasts, prostitutes, and criminals, treating them with compassion, respect, and graciousness. He forgave his enemies, asking God to forgive them as He hung on the cross.
Because of the love freely given to us by God as demonstrated by Jesus’ self-sacrificial life, and in spite of our shortcomings, we’re called to love God and love people, forgiving and serving, especially our enemies.
This means putting God’s command to love others above our own selfish desires, cultural norms, or government edicts. We forgive and serve because our Savior had mercy on us, despite our transgressions.
He who has been forgiven much, forgives much.
He who has been forgiven much, forgives much.
We’re asked to protect all human life, especially the downtrodden, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged, all of whom were made in the image of God and are of equal worth and value.
Christians should be fierce advocates for the poor, the marginalized, the immigrants, the disabled, and the outcasts.
We should fight power structures that oppress and enslave, no matter how esteemed or popular those structures are considered to be.
We should fight power structures that oppress and enslave, no matter how esteemed or popular those structures are considered to be.
We’re promised that heaven will come back to earth with a complete restoration of all, including the physical. We’re not ethereal spirits trapped in meat.
What we do with our bodies and how we impact this world has everlasting consequences.
What we do with our bodies and how we impact this world has everlasting consequences.
We’re commanded to be stewards of God’s creation, including the environment.
Christians should be environmentalists committed to the ethical treatment of all creatures, the preservation of nature, and the responsible use of God’s gifts.
Christians should be environmentalists committed to the ethical treatment of all creatures, the preservation of nature, and the responsible use of God’s gifts.
As Jesus was a peacemaker, we are called to be peacemakers, those who build bridges not burn them.
We humble ourselves, familiar with our own shortcomings and the grace that has been freely given to us.
We humble ourselves, familiar with our own shortcomings and the grace that has been freely given to us.
Because we are deeply and securely loved by the Creator of the universe, we don’t need the approval of others, or to win arguments, or be considered “right.”
We play to an audience of one, Who knows and sees all.
We play to an audience of one, Who knows and sees all.
What you worship matters, and I worship the God of love and grace and truth and justice.
Through that worship, my life is being constantly molded and shaped to be more like Jesus, with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Through that worship, my life is being constantly molded and shaped to be more like Jesus, with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
But if you’ve interacted with me, you will know that I often fall far short of this standard. I’m a terrible representation of Christ, and so are my fellow Christians.
I’m a sinful creature capable of far more than I’d like to admit.
I’m a sinful creature capable of far more than I’d like to admit.
Most days that shows up as anger, lust, resentment, lying, slander, or greed, with an almost constant sprinkling of gluttony.
And that’s the doctrine of sin -- we are creatures made in God’s image and imbued with a worth more precious than anything else, and yet tainted by our fallenness and brokenness.
Sin ensures that Christians always fall short of Jesus’s example and the doctrine of common grace, that the sun shines on everyone, provides that many non-believers will be paragons of virtue.
Going to church, which is a gathering of two or more Christians in worship, I was often struck by how I was surrounded by frustrating and annoying hypocrites.
I saw people who I knew were liars and cheaters. How could THEY call themselves Christians, yet carry on as they did?
I saw people who I knew were liars and cheaters. How could THEY call themselves Christians, yet carry on as they did?
The answer is simple: Churches are hospitals for sinners, not museums of saints.
Jesus came to save sinners, not the righteous. I eventually realized that meant I could be welcomed, despite my many shortcomings. You can and will be welcomed too.
Jesus came to save sinners, not the righteous. I eventually realized that meant I could be welcomed, despite my many shortcomings. You can and will be welcomed too.
Hope this is helpful @NevilleBartos10 and that you have a great Sunday. Cheers!
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