A Christian Story

A Christian Story  

"A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow, just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup. 

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. 

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally... I assumed you had stolen the car." 

Have you ever had days like this lady where you get carried away in the busyness of life and forget who and WHOSE you are?  I do.  On one notable day in my life I was on the way to, yet, another church meeting where we were probably planning for a worship service, I found myself getting angry at the driver in front of me for the wrong he committed against me. I became so self-indulgent that I started screaming and erratically racing through traffic to show the world how much I had been wronged by this “idiot”.  As I sped rapidly towards a nearby highway entrance, focused entirely on leaving this guy in the dust, I saw my cross on the rear-view mirror swinging wildly…

Don’t you wish that you could always be Christ-like in your behavior?  Isn’t that what the world wants from us? Demands of us?  What do you suppose is the number one criticism of Christians…?  HYPOCRACY!

In studying what it means to be an Act 2 church I decided to read, once again, those very descriptive verses in Acts 2 – (READ Acts 2:44-47)  I can assure you that church groups for centuries have studied these verses and, I believe, have diligently attempted to follow them. Being an Acts 2 community is a lofty goal.  But I wonder if it is an achievable goal?

As I read these verses I cannot help to focus on verse 47 where it states: "They praised God and were liked by all the people." They were liked! Is “being liked” a key ingredient to being an Act 2 church?  Is it the missing ingredient?

Would you say, in general, that Christian churches are liked by others?  When non-Christians are asked what they think about Christians, is being liked a common characteristic listed?  Hypocritical, Judgmental, Intolerant, Superficial?

In addition, do we not say that a relationship with Christ transforms lives? (Read Luke 24:45-47): "and that a change of hearts and lives and forgiveness of sins would be preached.” What do transformed lives look like?  Isn’t “the Hypocrisy” really about the very basic premise that we are seen as being no different than anyone else?

•  If we are changed by our relationship in Christ then why are our divorce rates as high or higher than the rest of the population?
• Why do we still suffer Addiction, Abuse, Murder, Crime, and Suicide at the same pace as the rest of the world?
• Why do we continue to be self-righteous and judgmental?
• Why is generosity lacking and our loving empty?

Finally, I wonder what it is, exactly, that Christ is calling us to do as a church?  We can explore this in the New Testament and find dozens (43) key principles of what the "Church" is supposed to reflect to the world. One sticks out in my mind which is the responsibility to "Equip God’s people to do his work." (Eph 4:12)

Most Christians are capable of quoting the Great Commission.  I'm guessing the 8 out of 10, when asked what is our God-given purpose, they would answer:  “Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matt 28:18-20

Are we teaching the right message?  Are we changing the world?  Or, are we simply alienating the world from God through our self-righteousness and judgmental approach?

It seems to the world that Christians have forgotten the true Gospel message - To love God and to love others.