I’m a Christian, But
I'm a Christian, but…
I'm a Christian, but I'm not perfect.
I'm a Christian, but I make mistakes.
I'm a Christian, but I struggle with sin.
I'm a Christian, but Jesus.
These thoughts have been weighing on my heart for a while, and I think for several reasons, but this past Sunday's message was called 'Doubting due to Hypocrites', and I was like, alright, time to finish the blog! I think there are many Christians who are highly hypocritical and give a bad name to other Christians. Some people think Christians should be perfect. I believe the church has caused an enormous amount of hurt to many people. Some people believe that Christians should never say anything to others to keep the peace, even when speaking up is needed. Some Christians only hang out with other Christians. The list could go on; some of these thoughts I used to think too until I started to learn more about the gospel for myself.
First off, before I lose you on this blog, I want to make this point: I'm a Christian, but I mess up, and I don't always represent Jesus well. I do my best to do anything I do out of love. Please don't look at me and judge me because I'm not perfect—I'm only human—look at Jesus. Jesus is perfect.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." Romans 3:23-24
This past Sunday, the pastor spoke about three different kinds of Christians.
Fake Christians
Immature Christians
Sinful Christians
This is so incredibly important to remember. Even though we, as Christians, are called to be set apart from the world, that doesn't make us immune to making mistakes, saying the wrong thing, hurting others, sinning, etc. It's important to remember that there is an enemy, and "he only comes to steal, kill and destroy," John 10:10. Yet, sometimes, our poor choices lead us wrong.
I still really struggle with my walk with God at times because I believe in Jesus, yet sometimes I do things that do not align with what I believe; that messes with me and makes me feel like a hypocrite.
I genuinely don't know if I relate to a Bible verse more than the one below.
"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it." Romans 7:15-20
Like, yeah, Paul, same… (Seriously, y’all, start reading your Bible! It’s so good!)
I'm not sure if you struggle with this or think you have to be perfect in your walk with God before He accepts you, but that's not how God works. He accepts you as you are, and as you continue to walk with Him, read the Bible, and surround yourself with Godly community, He starts to prune you, and you slowly start to see changes. I have seen many changes in my life as I continue to draw closer to God, yet I am still growing in my faith, and I believe I always will be. The more I learn about God and spend time with Him, the more I want people to know about His love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness, goodness, and faithfulness. And, the more I want others to see Jesus through me, it’s not me, or about me; it’s about God’s glory.
I know that I will never be perfect. But God isn't asking for perfection; He is asking you and me to surrender. I invite you not to judge the people around you, even though it can be difficult. We have all messed up, people since the beginning of time, and we need a Savior and forgiveness. The Bible is about many messed up people, yet God's redemptive love and provision from beginning to end.
"Come to me, all weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NIV
"He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" Romans 8:32 NIV
"We love because he first loved us." 1 John 4:19 NIV
I understand that it can be tough. We all make mistakes. We are encouraged to love one another and to forgive others, just as God has forgiven us. Try not to judge God based on the actions of people who have hurt you, or the church that has caused you pain, or imperfect Christians, or anything else. Remember, God is for you.
Don't look at me; look at Jesus.
Don't put your faith in people; put it in Jesus.
To listen to Sunday’s sermon, click here.
