disillusioned

I have to admit I’m susceptible to disillusionment.

There are times I get really discouraged with the way things are, fed up that people don’t meet my expectations, or just plain angry at brands or products that don’t live up to their claims. Like when the airline botches up my seat and puts me in the middle of the very back row. Like when the policeman I ask for help dismisses me with a level of arrogance. Like the way my burger never looks like the one in the TV ad. And these kind of things really get me down. I don’t know if I can ever fly with that airline, look at a policeman the same way, or buy another of those burgers again.

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I’m disillusioned with Christians.

The people who are sent by God to bring healing, show love, be agents of grace and forgiveness, reconciliation and peace, spend much of their time (if not all in many cases) fighting one another, challenging the rights or privileges of one another, accusing one another. And God’s work doesn’t get done.

Instead there ought to be celebration of one another’s uniqueness and contribution to the kingdom of God. There should be building up of one another instead of tearing down. There should be unconditional love for one another instead of antagonism and backbiting.

Unfortunately, the Internet—a tool that has brought so much good and blessing to the world—is used to fuel the fires of this self-sanctified war. Posts are shot like bullets from the bows of “prophetic” blogs that claim to be “God’s watchmen.” Using names such as Reformatta, Apprising Ministries, and Slice of Laodicea (to name a few), attacks are made on those the bloggers deem to have overstepped the mark (their self-determined mark, not God’s) and who don’t hold to the truth of God’s word (their interpretation of God’s word).

And the name of Christ is blasphemed among the nations because of people like them.

I came across a tweet (a twitter post) recently that said the new ABCs of our era are “Anything But Christianity” or “Anyone But Christians.” Rather than bringing the conviction and correction they claim to want so much, the words of ill will bring about a laughable comedy routine for the uninitiated. And when this happens, these “warriors for truth” rejoice—yes, they are happy!—because in their world this is a sure sign that they belong to Christ and are on the right track.

And they pat each other on the back, congratulating themselves for being so faithful to God and courageous in the face of such evil.

I challenge these brothers (since I believe down deep inside they truly want to follow Jesus) to study the life of Jesus and to redirect their life towards doing what He did, speaking as He spoke, forgiving as He forgave, and lifting up, as He did so often, the sinners, the broken, the hungry, the fallen, and the marginalised of society. Sink your efforts into being like Him rather than like those who crucified Him. Remember: they thought they could rid themselves of evil by following rules and laws, and saw Jesus as a threat to their way of life. Recall how happy they felt when the nails were driven in and the cross was raised. The cross simply proved that His law of love was greater than their burdensome rules and self-filled religiosity.

I also challenge those who are being attacked by these self-titled “Defenders of the Faith” to also follow the way of Jesus who, when he was mocked, did not open His mouth, but always walked the path of love and forgiveness. It’s human to fight back and defend our honour. It’s human to want to see the perceived “evildoer” suffer. It’s also human to want “trophies” (in this case numerous blogs) to show off how right we are.

But it’s like Jesus to turn the other cheek and to forgive and love the oppressor, even when they don’t ask for it.

“By this shall all know that you are my followers: you will love each other.”

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