WWJW(ear)?

I was looking back over a few blogs and checking out some comments. I think I might have been a bit vague in one of my posts. Seriously: Obnoxious Christians are more than just sinners.

We as Christians have a number of annoying types. I will describe a couple of types of “Christian”. Then I’ll explain why it is that I really dislike the way they/we act and behave. Maybe you know some. Here are a few that I struggle with:

The Plastic Christians: Our facial muscles have forgotten how to do anything but smile. Sure we are smiling, we have the Lord! Do you know Jesus? Have we told you about Jesus? No, we will not stop shaking your hand no matter how uncomfortable you feel. We know that everything that happens (good or bad) takes place because of the divine providence of the Lord; so if little Johnnie is hit by a car...it is because God needed another angel! We love polyester and our hair in never out of place. Don’t you think we look like Barbie’s friend Ken?

Oy vay, I think “Used Car Salesmen”. There is nothing wrong with being well-groomed or smiling or even being happy. I am not talking about those people...I am talking about FAKE people. For goodness sake BE REAL. If you aren’t feeling a full array of emotions, you are not blessed...YOU ARE INHUMAN! Human beings have emotions, have anger, have fear, have doubt...read a couple of Psalms if you don’t think so.

The Jesus Warrior: We know God and Jesus and we will tell you exactly what you need to say, do, act, and behave in order to win salvation. We will not listen to anything you have to say for you are wrong and in need of immediate conversion. Repent or we will cast aspersion at you and refuse to be in your presence.

Christian Warrior Video

I think you need to be ready to defend the faith and assist in the Kingdom vision; but for goodness sake you don’t have to be a zealot. Don’t shy away from sharing your faith but remember nobody likes having another person’s faith shoved down their throats. Do you?

We have a secret. Sure we are arrogant we have everything figured out.

If you say you have, I think you are lying or deluded. I think we have some things figured out but most things we have to take on faith not fact. So, if you think you have everything figured out—I gotta say, I think you are wrong. Nobody knows the mind of God.

The separation of Church and State Christians: We are “part-time” Christians. We act and profess one thing (enthusiastically or not) at church or in the presence of our faith communities. And act differently outside of that setting.

I think this is sad. I truly believe that you can be a regular person AND a Christian. Or is it a Christian who is a regular person. I don’t think you have to be like St. Paul 24/7; just be an every-day dude.

I point these types out as a means of explaining how other people; non-Christians view us. Would you join a group of people like us? People are turning out and turning away in part because of the way they perceive Christians. The stereotypical understanding of what it means to be a Christian, by those who are not, is...well...it is not a pretty picture. I believe our task is to serve human kind and be a part of the Kingdom as it works throughout the creation. NOT to shame people into conversion or pretend to have ALL the answers.

Yes, we are forgiven. I thank God for that! Truly, ALL are forgiven I thank God for that more so. We are to share that message with the world. One person at a time; one family at a time; one community at a time...we are supposed to point to Jesus NOT jam him down people's throats.