You do not have to be a Christian to acknowledge that forgiving one another, loving one another, restoring the weak, and being there for one another is pretty good advice for anyone although the Bible teaches that it is a requirement for Christians to do. The question I have is why do Christians only do this when it suits them? Shouldn’t they know better? If God tells a Christian to do these things, shouldn’t it be automatic to do it? Even in the “Lord’s Prayer” it says to “forgive others.” In my Bible I see verses like “Do not speak evil of one another”, “Encourage one another”, “Be kind to one another”, “Do not pass judgement on one another” amongst another 40 more. So why am I shocked when I see and experience the opposite amongst many churches, Christians, pastors and church leaders? I am shocked because those that profess to know God go against what he says to do.
Have I been like that? In the past at times but I am learning and understanding how Christians should act after personally being on the receiving end and seeing their behaviour toward me.
When I hear of a Christian sinning, I now have compassion for that person. I abhor what they have done but as a fellow believer my job is not to cut them down but help get them up. I know there are consequences to what we do and we should not condone sin but often I think “but by the grace of God go I” or “I know what you are going through because I have been there too.” Whenever we point the finger at people remember there are three pointing back at us. The only time the Bible tells us to distance ourselves from people is if after everything else they refuse to listen or change or repent. Then we are to give them to over to Satan. Usually in my experience you are told to go without having the opportunity to put things right or give a reason. People’s lives have been devastated by this kind of action. Christian’s reactions are not how God reacts to these situations.
I know of a person who was a teenager and had a relationship with a person outside of marriage. The church found out and she was summoned to the leadership. Her punishment was that she was banned from the church and taking communion for 6 months. She was not offered help or restoration. It was “this is the punishment.” After a month or two she had already repented before God and desperately wanted to return to church so approached the leadership. Their answer was “We said six months and that is what it will be.” She was devastated.
When I was in Japan as a missionary my home church found out that I believed that the spiritual gifts were for the present. They had an alternative view. To be honest it was no big deal but it was to them. Their reaction was vicious. I was told that they would no longer support me and my family, that we would have to leave Japan after 12 years without any assistance (we had no money) and if we did not obey them, they would spread rumours throughout all the New Zealand Churches. (God did miracles to provide) This was actually done. Lies and rumours were spread. We heard from friends that this was happening. We knew it was Gods timing for us to leave Japan but this did not take away the devastation that Christians could act towards us in this way. On our return to New Zealand people we knew and had grown up with and counted as best friends in our home church would walk across the road when they saw us. That is when I first started thinking “Where is God’s love, forgiveness, acceptance”. People who we trusted suddenly turned on us.
In recent times I have experienced rejection, lies, being ignored when I have asked for help, being told I am not a Christian because I dared to mention to the leadership of the “cult” that I did not agree with some of the things they taught. I have been “cut off” from so called close friends because the “cult” has a code of silence. Is this how Christian’s should act? Some of you may disagree with me but put yourself in my situation when these things happen to you and I think you will change your mind. I expect better from “Christians.” People have been devastated, families destroyed, reputations in shatters, relationships broken because Christians will not follow what God says to do.
We need to look at ourselves. We need to see whether we are living the life that God is pleased with. We need to see how we are helping those who are struggling in this journey. That is our responsibility. God has given us the “blue print” so what we are doing about it? When God is saying to people “Come to me” many are saying “Go away.” When God is saying “come to me for rest and healing” “Christians” are shooting the wounded and putting the “boot” in.
It is not good enough yet it is happening everywhere. We can’t trust people but we can trust God. You may run away from the church and even Christians. I understand that, but do not run away from God. He will accept you as you are and start the healing process.
As I am getting older nothing surprises me anymore. I just have to make sure I’m doing what is right.
I have found that people are all over you when you are towing the party line, not asking questions and accepting everything but the moment you start asking questioning, searching out answers for yourself and not accepting everything you hear then the true colours of people are seen. They avoid you, spread rumours about you, they say you are rebellious, and disobedient to leadership. They may say you are no longer a Christian; they may tell lies and gossip about you. The change from them being loving, caring, and understanding is the difference between night and day.
People change so suddenly. Thank God the Bible says that God is “the same yesterday, today and forever.” It is what keeps me going. I’m being de programmed to trust in God not people.
