Disclaimer #2: This is a post for Christians, but please understand that I realize not all Christians will fall under this gernalization. I think you are smart enough to discern weather or not you are the "Christian" I am speaking to or not. I think you can also understand that I am not trying to be mean or offend you. I only want you to really think about how you treat others. If you claim to be a Christian, you are representing the big guy. Keep that in mind..
Disclaimer #3: I realize this is blogger silence day. I have donated money to a charity that is supplying the people of Japan with much needed items to make it through these tough times. My silence on my blog will not benefit Japan that much. I encourage you to donate. If you haven't already.
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How many people would be in church today, if "Christians" loved like Christ loves? I don't think I am out of line to say that Christians (or so called) today spend more time judging than loving. You don't believe me? Talk to any person who is not in church and ask them why. I think the core of their answers will stem from a bad experience with Church and the people who attend there. You don't believe me? Well you should because I am one of those people who has a hard time wanting to darken the door of the church.
Let's talk about sin. I don't think I am stating anything groundbreaking but just in case, SURPRISE! EVERYONE SINS! The Bibilical principles set down for moral living are broken EVERYDAY by EVERYONE, even those pastors and church leaders that we place so high upon a pedestal and set before us as the infallible. And yes, Even you, Christians that you are, sin every day.
The Christians in today's church are so concerned with condemning the person drinking alcohol, the person smoking a cigarette, the person cussing like a sailor, the person listening to music that isn't Christian in theme, the person sleeping with their boyfriend, the person getting tattoos, the person attracted to the same sex, the people who aren't in church, the ones who are atheist, agnostic, or unsure that they aren't even realizing the sin in their own life. Hypocrites! THAT IS A DANGEROUS PLACE TO BE! SCRIPTURE
Christians, Don't think for one minute because you go to church every Sunday, Wednesday and Life Group too, that you don't have to worry because you are doing your part. If you are someone who thinks you are doing alright and that you have this Christianity thing down; if you think that you have done so many great and wonderful things as to puff yourself up and set everyone else beneath you, there is more wrong with you than you know. Time to self examine and wake up. SCRIPTURE
1 Peter 5:5
Ephesians 2:8-9
John 8:7
Luke 6:37
James 4:11-12
Galatians 6:1
Matthew 7:5
Bottom line! You don't reach non-believers or even believers who are disillusioned through condemnation. That is not how Jesus did it. Jesus LOVED! Luke 7:36-50 Mark 2:17 Luke 15:1-32 This self righteous epidemic out there is KILLING the church and populating Hell. SCRIPTURE
I was attending a church for the longest time that I loved. Everything was awesome, but then the pastor started preaching things like "If you don't tithe, I question your salvation," "If you don't get baptized, I question your salvation," "If you don't give of your time to volunteer in the church, I question your devotion to God and in turn your salvation." My thoughts on that are... it's not YOUR PLACE! People are trying to follow Christ and accept this complicated gospel that man is interpreting. Trying to find their place with God and trying do their best and you are going to make them doubt their salvation!!!? I can't stomach it. You can tell people they are going to hell all you want, but when you do, know that if they do go to Hell, some of that will be on you. No lie. Your self righteous dis-compassionate heart will have played a role in someone accepting or denying Christ!
I am out of church right now. Have been for over a year. I am not going to lie. Things that I have experienced in the church have left me not feeling so chummy about it and Christians. I could go into detail after detail about what happened and how horrible it was, but that does no one any good. I am trying to get back to a place where I can put all that aside and see the purpose of going to church again. I genuinely believe in God. Specifically the Christian God. As much as I believe in Him, it is so difficult to believe. You know? Especially when I see the lack of true Christian love exhibited by a lot of people that claim to be His.
Dear Christians, to show love to everyone doesn't mean you are compromising your beliefs or convictions. It doesn't mean that you have to be ok with what someone is doing. It just means you throw that aside and instead of judging them, you love them anyway! If someone is going to change something in their life, it isn't going to be because you told them they are going to hell... it's going to be because you accepted them and loved them through it all. It will be because you didn't put yourself above them. It will be because in you, they saw a good thing. They saw Christ's love through you, and it made them want it and want to be better. That is how it works. Perhaps no matter what you do, a person will never be a believer in Christ, but guess what? Love anyway.
Dear Christians, we often forget the simple truths in the Bible. The milestone verses that sum it all up and bring everything to a point of understanding. There is one simple verse that sums it all up. It's one that most of you learned in Sunday School when you were 3.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, [9] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
There you have it.
Bottom line:
Stop judging
Stop condemning
Stop being so self righteous.
JUST LOVE!!!
Yeeeees! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This is exactly what I think, I swear right down to the letter. It just seriously bugs me how much people judge, I've been stepping back and thinking before I judge someone a whole lot more than usual because I understand how it feels to be judged and condemned for what I do by people who have just as many problems as I do. They may be diff. problems but they're all problems. You really did an amazing job writing this. I am so serious. Everything you said is true. It is literally my goal in life to learn to love without conditions and to never judge people. It can be so tough but I have absolutely no right doing it.
ReplyDeleteI want to live by this verse:
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. - 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
I want to mind my own business, because what other people do is literally none of my business. It's between them and God. Thanks again for posting this!! ♥ xo.
Holy wow! Okay, I totally get where you're coming from with this....NO ONE has the right to be judgmental regarding anyone else's faith or anything else. Great post my dear, great post!!
ReplyDeleteAh Amy my heart is literally breaking right now! I cannot express how truly hurt I am for you, and so many others!! (I apologize now if this comment turns into a blog but I want to "talk" to you and others in your shoes. I promise no condemnation. I love you and would never sit in judgment of you! You have a "right" as it were, to be hurt).
ReplyDeleteBack in the Jesus People day there was a saying, "Jesus wouldn't darken the door of most churches." I wonder if anything has changed.
Too many Christians have done too much damage. I know too many people who are not serving God today because they were hurt too badly "yesterday" by Christians. I am glad that you still serve Him, despite the pain you've received, despite the judgment that's been heaped on your head, despite it all, you accept responsibility for your walk with the Lord and don't blame Him for the actions of the pharisee's.
I encourage you to find a church, sit in the congregation for a few weeks and allow the Lord to wash over you with His love. I encourage you to reach out to those you see who are being hurt by the judgers. You may be the only Christ with skin on some of these people ever encounter.
If I have ever done one thing that makes you feel judged, if I have hurt you in any way, I apologize now. I want to encourage you in your walk, and I pray it never comes across as judgment, that's God's job, I just want to love on you and your family. I want to be open, honest and fair with you and your friends.
Please don't give up on church. There are people in our churches who need AMY and what she has to offer.
I love you Doll.
(Now I gotta go blow my nose and convince puppy that the world isn't coming to an end just because I'm crying).
♥
I am a Christian as well, but I too have stopped attending church because of the senreasons you did. I felt that it was such a hypocritical place to be. I feel that thechurch has become more focused on what "man" teaches than what "God" teaches. I wish I could find a church that would accept me and my boyfriend, but honestly, I can't stomach the idea of that. And it hurts.
ReplyDeleteSilly iPhone. Please excuse the errors in my previous comment. "senreasons" equals "same reasons". :)
ReplyDeleteLove your soapbox posts Amy! Personally I don't believe in God, and I do know christians who accept people for who and what they are but I also know christians within my family who are very judgemental, self righteous and hypocritical- all in Gods name!
ReplyDeleteWhy can't people just live and let live?! :)
I also appreciate your soap box posts, it truly gets me thinking. I did a post today too...although when I did it I didn't know about the silence thing. I also donated and will continue to support all those victims of mother nature in Japan. It truly is sad, but the people there are so gracious and truly honorable in how they are handling the devastation....to see God's love all we have to do is look at things like people supporting and loving each other and showing grace and patience in the face of severe deprivation and fear. Personally I follow many faiths. All my faiths are not mixed and taught in one location so I am a home practitioner...but that doesn't mean I don't go to a church once in awhile. I enjoy studying the bible and reading Christian books. I feel lighter, happier, and more loving towards my fellow people on earth. I also think community is important and many churches offer this aspect of society much like our blogiverse offers community to many of us. I think nothing is ever perfect and I wouldn't expect churches or the people who go to them to be perfect either. Judging is part of human nature, as well as manipulation to achieve desired outcomes. Its part of how we survive in times of struggle...but it doesn't just turn off in times of comfort or peace. I really appreciate that you got me thinking about these types of things, and allow me to feel comfortable sharing my perspective. I love you, I love Christians, I love Church goers...if they don't love me- that's okay. But my loving everyone isn't their choice its mine. My church is in my heart, and I try to visit everyday. You are already there by the way...in my church...I do love you and am so proud to call you a friend. Take care...Hearts, Janna Lynn
ReplyDeleteOf course I couldn't agree with this more. The basis of EVERY CHRISTIAN RELIGION ought to be to love.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is on their own step in their staircase of life, and it is not up to us to say if they are farther ahead or behind us. Because in the end, it doesn't matter what stair you're on, but way God knows you are facing.
Thank you for this reminder!
This could be an epic comment so I'm sorry if I break your blog or something.
ReplyDeleteWhen you posted the other day about going back to church I did a little dance. I know it sounds really silly in a way but any time one of my friends says "I'm going to give this church thing ago (again in some cases)" I get excited.
I then tweeted you on Sunday to see how it was going because I know when I started a new church I was bricking it - and I can imagine that returning was equally as scary (or going to a new one.)
You have to find a church you're comfy in - not too comfy that you get complacent but comfy enough that you're at home in a way (does that make sense?!)
I'm human like the others out there and so I KNOW I'm not infallible, I know I mess up, I know I sometimes swear in my head when I bash my toe on the bed or I get mad at CJ and call him names because he upset me.
You're right, if we "Christians" loved like Christ loves omgoodness the world would be soo different.
He's the guy who teaches to the people, to the everyday man in a way - he doesn't go banging on the door of the Emperor or the King, he kinda infiltrates his way in first just a few people and then word spreads about what he does and what he's saying and there's kinda no stopping the message - just look at it today how the church in persecuted countries is growing like someone planted it in manure and stuck a rocket under it's butt lol.
I sit in church and hear about how this friend is doing a gap year there and this one is taking part in this project and I kinda get a bit bummed out that it's not me doing that but then I read stories in the bible about people like Esther who started off as a kinda no one and when on to be something amazing (co-incidentally this weekend is Purim which is the festival that celebrates Esther saving the nation)
I might only be a grain of sand on the whole beach but God knows the hairs on my head - he knew me before I was formed in my Mum's womb (Psalm 139 I think) Can you count the hairs on your head or the stars in the sky - I'd like to try but given the number of stars just in the Milky Way there isn't time to do that. lol.
I'm beginning to worry that I'm coming of self-righteous and I'm really hoping I'm not - I don't often write the soap box rants about being a Christian because there's usually someone out there ready to point the finger that I'm wrong (we have enough of a difference of opinion on being a Christian under out own roof.)
Recently in the UK press there was a story about a Christian couple no longer being able to foster kids because they were asking their opinions about homosexual relationships. I am not a homophobe. I think that its your choice how you live your life - if you're a girl and you wanna be will a girl in that way it's your choice - who am I to tell you what to do - I'm not perfect.
Our pastor actually made a comment about it on Sunday. Yes it's not by God's Law but at the same time, God loves the sinner (and hates the sin) - notice in John 3:16 it doesn't say For God so love the world that he gave his only Son that the heterosexual upper middle class white adult of surburbia believes in him .... no it says WHOEVER - thats you, me, John Doe who lives in a cardboard box down the road, the kids on the slums in Africa, the ice truckers in Alaska/Canada etc - that's who ever accepts the love of Christ can be saved for eternity. How awesome and amazing is that?!!?!
ReplyDeleteI know that the Earthquakes and the tsunamis really suck and there is a country hurting there (and in a way the whole world is hurting) but the pastor who stood up and said that Japan were being punished for their sins needs to get a reality check. (Majority is my opinion but i also read here
"There are a few biblical situations where natural disasters were the specific judgment of God. But these were rare, and God always ensured people knew about it by a proclamation from his infallible prophets. What seems to be far more common is the idea that God sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45), and that accidents do not tell us that their victims were more sinful than us, but that we all deserve death just the same (Luke 13:1-5)."
Yes they have sinned but just as much as you or I, Jesus died on the cross for us all, to take away all our sins and to forgive us - Thats worth more hi-fives that I can give God for the rest of eternity lol.
Okay I'm going to go watch some TV and stop ranting - I'm sorry if I've upset the cart or anything like that - I'm also happy to discuss anything that I've said if it's come off random or like I'm bouncing off the wall.
Thanks Amy. Have a good weekend (And if you go to church again I hope you have a good time) HUGS
I am so sorry, epic comment that was so long it had to go into two comments oh dear I think i need to retreat now now now!
A-FREAKING-MEN! This EXACT thing plays a HUGE role as to why I don't not attend a church. I believe in god, but I hate religion.. Or for that matter I guess I hate most the people of the religion.. Well not hate, hate is a strong word. But I dislike the way that they treat me because of the way that I may dress, or because my ears are stretched. I am a good genuine person, and I could care less what others have done {sin wise} I like you whether or not you smoke, or read the bible all day long and have never tried anything "bad". I love that you posted this. I think it is something that not too many people voice in public, but they feel this way.
ReplyDeleteLove this!
ReplyDeleteAMEN!!! Great post Amy. I'm not a Christian myself, I converted to Judaism in my late teens. However, I find this rings true in almost EVERY "Christian" I know. And being from the deep south (Georgia) that's almost everyone I know from back home.
ReplyDeletePeople find it easy to go to church once a week, and then suddenly think they are better than other people. Even think they are better than other Christians who don't go to church every Sunday but are more compassionate and loving than those that do. They think they can do whatever they want during the week and then on Sunday all their sins are absolved. Instead of actually trying to live sin free. Church every week erases everything. And then they start over again with their weekly sins and meanness.
I think sometimes that these "Christians" do things just to make it look like they are a good person but deep in their heart they don't have the desire to do good things. They just do it to "be on God's good side" and hold their place in Heaven. When they should be doing good things out of pure love, not out of fear of going to Hell etc. It's a shame.
I hope that you find a church that you and your family really mesh with and feel comfortable exploring your faith in!
Amy, if you do not go to church I would strongly urge you to listen to messages on sermonaudio! It's free and lots of the messages are really good! My church has messages on there, Living Hope Evangelical. Hope you can check it out!
ReplyDeleteI am not a christian, so I did not read this ;)
ReplyDeletePerfect!
ReplyDeleteI attend a very liberal Christian church, The United Church of Canada and have finally found a NON JUDGMENTAL church where EVERYONE can openly be themselves and be LOVED in a Christian environment. I never knew that that could exist.
Hope you can find a church that reflects/practices your beliefs. xox
Beautiful perfect post.
ReplyDelete:]
You know how I feel about this. I feel exactly the same way. We've had so many discussions about it, I won't leave a massive comment about it.
ReplyDeleteBut, I am so glad you posted this. It is something that needs to be said. I've been wanting to post something similar, but have to way the potential consequences with going to an AG school. Which adds even more to this. That I can't be open about my stance without it possibly harming me. It frustrates me to no end.
I love your post Amy. Seriously, I teared up at times because I feel so passionately about what you're saying and I wish people would open their eyes and stop being so legalistic.
I read this and related to every word, Amy! I have been in so many churches that have hurt me and my husband. If fact..fairly recently. It is so hard not to give up. We are still trying!
ReplyDeleteIt is so hard to be a Christian and show God's love to others. I am human..and I fail, but it is something I strive for everyday. Showing his love and not condemning others is so so important!
Thank you for writing this post!!!!
I'm not going to write a novel, I promise.
ReplyDeleteI love our talks. It's good to talk about these controversial issues, especially with other Christians.
You know how I feel about this topic. It breaks my heart how jaded I have become; however, the fact that I believe in THE God despite all of my bad experiences has to speak for something, right?
I am excited to keep trying churches out with you. I doubt that we will find the "perfect" church, but I am in agreement with the fact that God created us for community with other believers. I also know that you and I (and everyone else) have specific talents that aren't being used at this point. This is also sad.
I hope that maybe we can find a place where we can use our "gifts."
Love you!
I love this so much.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way. Actually, EXACTLY the same way.
I have been raised in church my entire life. I haven't attended regularly in years, though. Its not that I don't enjoy going to church, or the people there, its a matter of finding a church that fits me. Which is a problem I think a lot of people have when they set out to find a church home. My family "settled" for the first church we visited, after our home church split. Over the past 10 years, I've seen my family fall apart (basically. my parents are still together, we all still love at home, etc) because of the effect this church has had on my family. It has caused my mom to FORCE my brothers to go to church (even to the point of telling them that they will got to Hell if they don't go. SO UNTRUE), which in turn puts everyone in a bad mood. If my mom goes to church alone, she comes home in an awful mood, and locks herself in the bedroom. What part of that would make anyone WANT to be a Christian?
I've had a struggle with "Christianity" for a few years now. Religions anger me. People take things too far when they claim a religion for themselves.
I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and that I have been called to love everyone unconditionally throughout my entire life, no matter what. And I know that God loves me just as much as he loves everyone else in the world. No "Christian" is better than another. Silly, silly people.
Is this post a little judgmental? The end of the post says
ReplyDelete"Stop judging
Stop condemning
Stop being so self righteous."
yet you also write: "And yes, Even you, Christians that you are, sin every day." and "believers who are disillusioned through condemnation. " (disillusioned??) and "Time to self examine and wake up." Those all seem pretty judgement and condemning to me. Not to mention the fact that you wrote all about YOU, which seems pretty self righteous.
I used to be a Christian and if I still was I'd agree with you. Church is not where "God" is. Hell, Christianity is not where "God" is or would be.
Perhaps looking more into one's self, and committing to mediation, research and self provoking thought is a better option than Church hopping. Find YOUR "God."
I want to respond to all these comments but I can't however, I do need to respond to the one above from Mark Blackwell.
ReplyDeleteNo. I do not think it is being judgmental to say that everyone sins even Christians. For one. It's the was we were made. With Free will. I am not saying that Christians are going to hell. All I am saying is before Christians get so carried away with pointing out the speck in someone else's eye... find the speck in their own. That is just how it is.
Find my God? Did you not read where I said, I believe in God... the Christian God? Re-read then. I don't church hop. I am trying to find a church home. Isn't your comment alone judgmental? "Stop church hopping and find YOUR God"...
Agree to disagree.
Thanks for your comment.
Amy
Furthermore, this blog is MY blog about MY personal experienced. OF COURSE I am going to relate it to personal situations. NO that is not being self righteous. I am not puffing myself up to be better than anyone. I am telling my story. ON MY BLOG.
ReplyDeleteAnyway. Thank you for your comment.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI aint tryin' to start anything ... but I don't sin, because I don't believe in sin. Thinking that everyone on this planet does something wrong every single day is a little judgmental.
In your comment response:
"I am not saying that Christians are going to hell."
What did this statement in your blog mean?
"This self righteous epidemic out there is KILLING the church and populating Hell."
Who are you speaking of (if it even matters?) that is populating hell? Sounds like someone's going to hell and you're condemning them there.
I read your "finding a church" as church hopping, which if I offended you, I'm sorry, was not my intention. I wasn't trying to be judgmental, however, if I was, it'd be OK because I do not preach about being non-judgmental.
:) Preach on sista!
I totally agree.
ReplyDeleteLast response to Marc... sorry I spelled your name wrong in my previous post.
ReplyDeleteWhat I meant by "populating Hell" is that through the lack of love and compassion that Christians show to people who they judge, some of those people will turn their backs on Christ completely, thus populating Hell.
As for everyone sinning. The first disclaimer above talks about how this blog is meant for Christians. If you aren't a Christian, this post is not directed to you or meant for you at all.
If you are a Christian, then my statement should make perfect sense. Since the time of original sin we have all been given free will. We are all subject to our sin nature. Thus, my comment saying that EVERY ONE sins. Now if you don't believe in the Bible, God, Christianity, sin, then that wouldn't apply to you and I am not trying to make it.
Searching for a Church, looking for a home church, is NOT church hopping. Yes. It offends me that you would get onto me for it, especially since you yourself proclaim to not be a Christian. Why should it matter to you if I church hop or not?
Again, thank you for your comment. Opposing views are always welcome here.
Amy,
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I shouldn't have opened my mouth, or typed on my keyboard. The second disclaimer should've reminded me to keep to myself. Sorry for stirring the pot!
Cheers,
-marc
Amy my heart hurts reading this. Because I know exactly how you feel. My husband and I have been going through a season of really having our eyes opened and for the first time seeing the differences between the american culture church and the biblical gospel. What a difference between the two! And having this awakening it hurts a bit. I feel like I've been lied to for so long. But now as I dive into His word and seek Him out for myself my life is radically changing. I can unashamedly say that I am so in love with Jesus right now and for the first time I'm not just believing in Him but following Him. Please don't lose heart because of bad experiences in church. Just focus on seeking the Lord out for yourself. Surround yourself with other believers who are crazy about the Lord and who will encourage you and lift you up.
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't already read these books run out and get them. These books have changed my life...
Radical by David Platt
Crazy love by Francis Chan
and I'm just getting into irresistible revolution by shane clairborne. and of course get into the word! Ask God to heal the wounds and really reveal Himself you through His word and He will. Praying for you friend!