It Only Takes One Bad Apple
Last week, my husband was scrolling on his phone and mentioned a post he found. I can’t remember the exact wording, but it went something like this, “I like your Christ, but not your Christians.” While I sat there in silence, verbally sparring in my head with the person who posted the comment, I started to really think about “why” this person would have said that.
The part about liking Christ was a no-brainer; what’s not to like? He was perfect, sinless, kind, compassionate, a healer of the sick, and He raised the dead. He came to earth in a human form, but He wasn’t human; He was God. Not “a” God, but GOD!
Why, then, would someone not like Christians? As a Christian, we are called to be “like” Christ. He is our example of how we should live our lives. Since they liked our example, it would reason that they would also like us. Unless…maybe this person has encountered someone who professes to be a Christian, but their ways aren’t exactly Christ-like.
Have you ever been bitten by a dog? If you have, then you probably have a healthy fear of all dogs, even though it was only one dog who bit you. If you ever had a boyfriend who was verbally or physically abusive, then you might develop a mistrust of men. In other words, it only takes one bad apple to ruin the whole bag.
It is possible that the person who posted the comment knew a professed Christian who was not kind or compassionate. It is possible that they came into contact with someone who was a gossiper, judgemental, holier than thou, and looked down on everyone. Maybe, they encountered a Sunday-only Christian who lived a very un-like Christ life the other six days of the week.
We will never know why this person lumped all Christians into the comment. I can only hope that one day they will encounter the Proverbs 31 woman who will make them realize that they should never lump everyone together.
1 Corinthians 11:1
1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
Ephesians 5:1-2
1 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
We are called to follow Christ’s example while He walked this earth. We are to be a disciple and make a disciple. How we act and live our lives is a direct reflection on Christ, and those who are watching will either come toward Christ or away from Him.
I like our Christ too, and I want to be a Christian who will bring others to Him!
To GOD Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Thank you for this wonderful encouragement to live our lives for Christ. 😊
My grandchildren do not attend a church regularly so when they get to spend the weekend with Nana & Papa they come to church as we are very involved in our Christian community. Our service dismisses children in 5th grade and younger to children’s’ church after worship music. My grandson who is 6 was with us 2 weeks ago and would not go – so he stayed with Nana. He was very good about sitting thru and busied himself with drawing. He even helped me after service clean up communion dishes. In that moment not realizing until later that I was teaching him. The following weekend we got an inquiry from my step-daughter ( his mom) about service times – this was completely out of the blue. Hoping that his weekend with us made an impact and started a movement….
So true! May I live my life in every situation so that it brings glory to God. Thank you, Tania!
You’re blessed to be a blessing to others! Ezekiel 36:27 – And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them. Thank you!
So true. Someone, way back in my past made the statement “You may be the only ‘Christ’ some people ever see”. A very profound and weighty statement to think about. That is what Christian means, however. We are to be “Christ-like”. In his sermon yesterday, our pastor revealed the secret of how to love like Christ loved. Love for others does not come from our hearts. Indeed, it cannot; it must come from above. It must come from God who is the source of love. It is only through God that we can truly show Christ-like love to everyone. Not loving the sin, but loving the sinner enough to point him/her to a forgiving Savior who offers grace upon grace.
Thank you for being bold and writing about your faith. It is a blessing to know that people are unafraid to speak out about the Lord!
Good message. I heard a sermon today about not just being believers in Christ but followers.