"All religions gravitate toward rule keeping instead of relationship building." (Andy Stanley)
I'm following Andy's 'follow' series of sermon at the moment. It's been really a breath of fresh air, after feeling really disillusioned with the religion of Christianity and how it could breed people who appears Christian-ly shiny on the outside, but nothing short of self-righteousness in the inside. Christians who are more concerned about putting up a show for others to see, or justify themselves as good and moral beings, all because they have became too hung up with 'rule-keeping'. The modern Pharisees meet tax collectors- both Christians, but miles apart.
What impressions do Christians get of Christians when they go into a Christian context?
I go to church
I don't lie
I work very hard at my job (and hopefully earn well)
I spend time with my family
I do not chase after money overtly
I do not boast (at least not overtly either)
I do not cohabit
I keep a good marriage (and it's evident in facebook too)
I serve in church
I volunteer
I do missions
My kids do not fight, act violent or smack another kid
I look disapprovingly at parents who let their kids watch Gangnam style
I take notes during a sermon
I read the bible everyday
I tell people I will pray for them
I am not seen flirting with another girl
I don't change too many boyfriends
I don't wear very short skirts, slap on thick makeup and have drip dye hair of green and blue
I try not to look gossipy at work
I do not go to nightclubs nor enrol in pole dancing courses
In episode 4 of his 'follow' series, Andy Stanley spoke about what Christians wear. He pointed out that the followers of some religions dress in a certain way, and even football club supporters don their club colours to matches.
How do people identify us as Christians?
His answer is simple, yet he reminds that it sounds very ideal:
Following Jesus means clothing yourself in patience, gentleness, kindness, compassion, humility, forgiveness, and love. That kind of faith is powerful. It's the kind of faith that makes a difference instead of just making a point. Imagine how that kind of faith would change people's perceptions of the church. Imagine how it would change communities . . . nations . . . the world.
Why don rule-keeping impressions of what you read, who you mix with, and where you go? Why not cultivate relationship building character like patience, gentleness, kindness, compassion, humility, forgiveness and love?
Indeed sometimes I ask myself whether I felt more bothered that I was missing church than if I have showed much compassion these days. Do you sometimes feel like the Christians around you are striving to portray this enviable image of everyone has their life held nicely in place by a silver bow, and the loud mouth, tattoo-wearing, neon legging single mother cannot be a kind, loving and patient Christian?
Watching this series made me think a lot of what it really means to be a Christian. Or like what Andy mentioned in Jesus' time, what it really mean to be a Jesus-follower.
Quite possibly it also helped me bridge my rather tainted impressions about why sometimes Christians act the way they do.
