I need to be very careful saying this. I know it might be sincerely misunderstood by some people who make the effort to understand what I’m saying. It will certainly be misunderstood by the people who categorize me as a jerk who gets his jollies from upsetting people.
First, it is good to lead a life that pleases God (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Not only is it “good,” but I would make the case that pleasing God is the PURPOSE of your life. Pleasing God is the reason you were born.
Are we clear so far? It won’t matter to those who are determined to misunderstand, but I’m 100% in support of a life that pleases God. Now – here’s where I’ll seem to contradict myself. If your life is pleasing to God, it doesn’t matter if you repulse people.
I’ve repeatedly been told (scolded actually) that I must live so that others “see God’s love.” If I imitate Christ, people will be drawn into the loving arms of God. I agree (whole heartedly) that imitating Christ can draw lost people to God. However, imitating Christ will not draw EVERYONE to God. And drawing other people to God IS NOT the reason I’m trying to please God.
Some people are offended by my imitation of Jesus. They throw a spectacular temper tantrum and leave the church. So you frantically tell me that people can’t “see God’s love” in my life.
I understand that watching people run from God makes you anxious. I would feel the same way if I thought my Christian witness was crucial to God’s plan for reaching people. Fortunately, God didn’t give me the responsibility of showing the world his love. God did that himself.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
– John 4:10
When I alter my behavior in an attempt to “show the world a loving God,” I’m not living to please God. I’m trying to please people. I’m hoping my performance will convince the worldly audience that Christianity is worthy of their attention. People are not righteous judges. They wouldn’t know God’s love if it was hung on a cross right in front of them.
I don’t need to PROVE that God loves anybody. God already proved his love. Anybody who demands to see God’s love in MY life is making excuses for their rebellion. They are running from God and blaming me. (They’re blaming you too.)
Wicked people demand the church provide an endless stream of charity to “prove” God’s love for them. When their “needs” are not met, they go public with their unrighteous judgment, “This church did not show me God’s love!” And we apologize!
We who live to please God, humbly apologize when pagans are unhappy. We agree with the heathen that God’s love is hidden. We agree that Jesus alone is not good enough. Our apology admits that we don’t trust God to reach people without us.
If you’re a Christian, you should imitate Jesus. You’ll know you’re doing that effectively when the people who hate Jesus get upset. When those people get upset, don’t try to make them happy.
One Response
When Jesus offers free food and miracles, thousands show up. When he starts to tell them how to live a holy life that is pleasing to god, they leave in droves and only a small handful of crazies stick around.