MEAN CHRISTIAN

THERE IS NO SUCH THING

IMPOSTOR ALERT

My mama bear love feathers are ruffled. 

Heard someone use the phrase “Mean Christian” recently. My soul ached. An urge to share hasn’t left me. I haven't written a post in over 5 years, so this urge is urgent and I believe important.

When Jesus takes up residence in a soul, there is change. Maybe not all at once- but His Spirit will not allow “mean” to be on the daily menu. If “mean” is there on a daily basis, THAT IS NOT A CHRISTIAN YOU ARE SEEING OR HEARING.

That individual is not following Jesus. They are an impostor. 

If you don’t see love in operation in their life- guess what. They are not a Christian. 

Love, as I heard a pastor share recently, is simply how you treat others. 

And while I’m parked in love, might as well insert that a heart that operates, thinks, and speaks prejudice- not representing the Kingdom either. 

Acts 17:26 And He made from ONE man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place...

We are all related. Everyone. And news flash- Jesus was not white. 

You are never more unlike Jesus than when you exhibit prejudice. 

Telling an off colored joke, or acting in a mean spirited manner related to the color of someone’s skin, or their nation of origin, or even their religion, is the OPPOSITE of love. It’s rooted in fear- but that’s another post. 

How we, as Christians, treat others matters. It is how other people will know who Jesus really is. 

At the last super, Jesus’ last moments in His ministry on earth- He chose to give us a new commandment. One that superseded everything else.

John 13:34-35

So now I am giving you a NEW commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.

Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus speaks clearly to us that we are to love- treat others with kindness, even those that don’t share our same beliefs. Even those we may call our enemies. 

So other believers, neighbors, and even enemies- if we search our road-map for life, aka The Bible, as believers- every human is to be loved.

What will keep a soul out of heaven?

Matthew 7:23 “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’

Or...a modern day translation that was shared, “We built fancy buildings, we had revivals, we cast out demons from people- especially people who are not as holy as we are..."

What will Jesus say? In His words:

“I will reply, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’”

Which laws? LOVE. The love laws. The law to love that superseded all others. The law- according to Jesus that is more important than casting out demons, performing miracles, or prophesying.

True Jesus following is caring for those who need the most love. James 1:27

And this is HUGE, HUGE I'm telling you....

According to James 1:27

If any man among you seems to be in a relationship with Jesus, and cannot control not his tongue, he deceives his own heart, this man's religion is egotistical and useless.

Pure, authentic religion, undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction- [and] to keep himself unspotted from the world.

This is the HUGE part. The "[and]" that is included in most translations is not in the original Greek. Study it.

Therefore- what Jesus is sharing is that true religion, serving others is what keeps us unspotted from the world. Not our ability to try to be holy or perfect.

Jesus shared with us, it’s not in the casting out- but in the LOVE that matters most to him.

That’s not a compromise. It’s a command to act in love.

In this world of quick tweets and short posts, if you have read all of this, that’s a miracle in and of itself- so thank you for hanging in there.

I will share that I believe in every word, from His Word, even when I don’t fully agree with it. I know it is there to protect us. His will =  His best. So I believe that there is one way to salvation and His name is Jesus. I believe He died for me and for ALL (every. single. soul.). I believe His death, His blood that was shed, and His resurrection have made a way for me to be born again into His Kingdom. Nothing I do or say can add to that.

I believe in the marriage covenant between one man and one woman*. 

People who choose the homosexual lifestyle, or have been in the horrible throws of addiction, or those who may not believe the way that I do, etc...  Jesus says- THOSE ARE MY KIDS!!!!

They need the love of Jesus- not a thump on the head from a Bible know it all, or a better than you mentality from an imposture.

The love we show in a real way could be the transformational bridge.

And you know what is sad? Many people who "Christians" deem as on their way to hell demonstrate love in a more authentic manner than some with the best church attendance.

So ending with this- to remind myself what love really is:

1 Corinthians 13 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Lord help us to walk in the Spirit everyday and share who You really are.

* I also beleive that there are individuals who love their partners deeply and  these partnerships should have rights and be treated with respect.