Call Yourself a Christian!

I have, on more than one occasion been accused of being a hypocrite. I have, on more than one occasion called others hypocrites. I have also been told that me (and other Christians)  are the sole reason that my accuser doesn't attend church.

I am sure that most of us have heard the expression "the church is full of hypocrites", and maybe even uttered it ourselves. The genesis of this expression lies within the thought that most people (including believers) think that all Christians should behave in a certain way. I know that when my wife and I were members of a fundamental denomination we were taught that certain other denominations were clearly "off the rails" and that many other groups could do with a good dose of "correction".


We are friends with a lovely German couple who have given their beautiful adopted twin daughters all the love and life that they would have never have received otherwise. When this couple emigrated to New Zealand, they settled into a small Church that welcomed them into the "fold". The wife could speak English, but not read it, so she would happily read her Lutheran  (German language) Bible. One day she was quizzed about her Bible. When the pastor discovered that her Bible was not the only "real" Bible in the world, the King James Version, she was pressured into complying with that church's doctrine of KJV only, or leave the church. There is no German KJV Bible, as that is a English language translation of the Bible.
 
There are more than 33,000 denominations calling themselves Christian, and obviously not all of those groups believe the same things. In today's splintered world calling a person a Christian tells no one anything about that person, it's bit like describing something as "furry". What does that tell you about the nature of the "furry" thing? Could be a bear, or a rat, or even a hat. There is simply insufficient information to allow you to complete the picture.

Many Christians believe that Jesus was God incarnate; still others that he was just a really nice, kind social worker. Some believe Jesus sacrificed himself for the sins of all mankind; others that he was executed for being politically subversive, an anarchist if you will. Some denominations believe that Jesus didn't physically resurrect, only his "spirit" arose and was seen wandering around. Still other groups maintain that their leader is the physical manifestation of Holy Spirit.    

Some believers will tell you that Hell is real, others that it's an allegory. The Bible is the literal word of God, many will say that it's a book authored by men (perhaps inspired) by God, by still written by flawed men with no understanding of, or insight into modern 21st century living.  Numerous groups fervently believe that Heaven is open to all, others boldly advertise that only Believers will ever enter through the Pearly Gates. Years ago I worked with a wonderful Christian woman, who, upon hearing of the suicide of a co-worker aggressively told everyone that this sad lost soul had gone straight to Hell. This young person who ended her life was a Christian, but lacked the ability/skills to defeat the "black-dog" of depression.

I no longer give a fat rat's hat what a person believes about God, or anything else for that matter. It's only when their beliefs begin to cause hurt and harm to others, that I care.... a lot. It's axiomatic that's it's completely wrong to hurt, harm, molest or exploit anyone else. I have seen (and experienced) enough of the angst, hurt, anger and separation that arguing about doctrinal differences cause.

I have friends who are ultra-conservative believers, others who are left of liberal, I know Orthodox and Messianic Jewish followers of God,  family members who are atheistic, still others who are new-age, tarot card reading, crystal healing practitioners. I no longer try and convert them to my way of thinking. I will discuss my beliefs with anyone, answer any questions as best as I can. I know what I believe, and at 69.75 years old don't have that many years left before I stand accountable before the Greatest Judge in the universe.     

The thing that I do believe is that every Christian is morally obliged to ask themselves the same question every person in the world is morally obliged to ask themselves, which is: Does anything that I believe or practice inevitably lead to anyone else being harmed or oppressed?

Let all that you do be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. - Proverbs 10:12 

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. - John 4:9-12