This morning, I was listening to some music, then a cover song on Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World” started to play. I was immediately reminded by its message, which I summarized as “love is all that is needed to make the world a better place for everyone”. True enough, don’t you think?
Christ Jesus came to the world to redeem people for Himself. He’s not in the business of picking and choosing, but an honest offer for salvation. However, along with salvation, His aim is for us Christians to be bearers of the Gospel, precisely with the goal of making His created world a place of joy and gladness. (Isaiah 65:17-25)
However, the irony is, and it cannot be denied, that there are people who claim to be Christians and yet, they didn’t live in love. They didn’t care for each other, or do God’s work without selfish motivations. Scripture said, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
I have known people who have always been part of missions work, presenting themselves as loving, faithful servants of the Lord. Yet, they connived to demean people that call for accountability. Churches collect people’s money; hence, every cent given ought to be accounted for. Nobody is outright accused of any wrongdoing. But why so secretive about money collected and left unused? Is there anything wrong with calling for accountability?
Without kindness, selflessness, and truth, there can be no real love. What is the best testament of a Christian? James explained, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:14-18)
Christ Jesus has done His redemptive work, offering everyone an opportunity to be His people. And yet, some have claimed faith and yet remained unconverted. They loved the world more than people. They loved riches more than truth. They loved fame more than Jesus Christ. Hence, Scripture said, “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:2-5)
Anyone who finds themselves identified in 2 Timothy 3:2-5 ought to repent and change. Verbal confession of faith does not count; real change involves the heart, mind, and action. The last commandment of Jesus Christ to His disciples before crucifixion was to “love one another”. See Scripture, Jesus Christ told His disciples, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Israel was called to be God’s people so that they may be the light and salt of the world. They were supposed to bring all nations to God. Yet, they failed miserably due to self-righteousness. Do you not see people who professed to be Christians doing the same? Of course, I do not mean everyone. But it has become hard to distinguish real Christians from pretenders unless you spend time with them. However, by the time you discover who’s who, controversy would have already erupted. That’s the sad reality of our present Christianity.
In my almost three decades of being a Christian, it’s ironic, but sometimes I have found people outside our faith to be more loving, caring, and understanding. If my personal experience reflects the true state of modern Christianity, how then can the church be effective in bringing people to the faith, and not be a stumbling block later?
I thank God for His grace, that despite all the ugly experiences we’ve had as Christians, my children didn’t stumble in their faith. But how many have been similarly hurt and have left the faith? Shouldn’t those who caused it be accountable to Christ Jesus? Jesus Christ said, “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
Sadly, I don’t see such people repentant. Instead, they continue with their lies and propaganda just to make themselves right in their own eyes. Reminiscence of Judges, don’t you think? (Judges 17:6) I sincerely hope they one day repent and change.
So I found Christianity today falling short on two fronts: first, they teach a lot of traditions but not necessarily doctrines of the Bible; second, it’s difficult to find true and honest love among Christians. Both shortcomings are condemned by Jesus Christ in Revelation 2-3.
My family and I are always thankful to Christians we encountered at our home church. Not that everyone is true. But we have experienced unconditional love from some brethren then and even today.
The same may be said of some Christians here who have become our friends. We are forever grateful for their love, most especially when times are rough for us.
However, I dare not make a ratio of who’s who; else I find it discouraging. Instead, I remain hopeful that God indeed has His people everywhere.
Same as in life, we get to know real friends only when we’re down and alone. That’s also the sad reality of modern Christianity. But to be fair, an honest evaluation of the church post-apostles’ time would reveal it’s no different from today. But should Christians be complacent and make that an excuse and remain lacking?
This blog is not meant to condemn or rebuke anyone. Rather, I hope to awaken people to the reality that confession of faith should come with a change of heart, mind, and action. How can the church truly be agents to heal the world if there is no real love and compassion for the suffering and lost? The real essence of love is God and Christ Jesus. The Bible said, “God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) The Bible in 1 John 4:19 declares, “We love because God first loved us”.
Peter, in the words of Acts 3:6, declared, “I possess neither silver nor gold, but in the name of Jesus Christ, I offer you what I have.” Share this article freely, for you freely receive. Take note, underlines and highlights are clickable links for definitions or Bible references. Stay updated by heading to our about page and subscribe directly to receive notifications in your inbox. Blessing!
Unlearning Tradition, Relearning Scripture 