October 31, 2002
Richard: Some answers:
- Which sinners? There were plenty of sinners that did not want to be around Jesus. Look at the Pharisees, who could not stand the light of Jesus shining on their sin. Overall, they were in the majority in Roman province of Judea during the first century. As such, it is not a fair argument, unless you think that all sinners of today fit in the first category. As far as people not wanting to be around Christians, I think some of it is well deserved.
- Which sinners? There are plenty today that have problem with us.
Some people dislike Christianity as they see it as hypocritical, but fail to realize that everything man touches is hypocritical. It is only God that can supply truth, not his followers. These people dislike God when they see His followers, but cannot see it in themselves. It largely comes down to what you believe in. If you believe in the “pro choice” movement, you see Christians who protest as the same as people who shoot abortion doctors as the same people who attend church. It is quite easy to stereotype those whom you disagree with. I think Megan pointed it out best with her comment that she used to see Christian Conservatives as “gun-toting, Planned Parenthood protesting, Focus On The Family funded loudmouths who take their assumptions about life into politics”. Many hold all Christians with such disdain, and it is a stereotype based on the actions of a few that claim to be Christians (some of which are, and others of which aren’t—only God can truly tell the difference).
Other people do not believe in Jesus, which is often prompted (ala Carl Sagan) by the fact that Christianity does not fit in their lifestyle. They have disdain for Christians as they see them as fools.
Anything you hold in low regard, you tend to move further and further away from. You will continue to dislike the thing you disagree with more and more, unless someone shows you the light. In this case, it takes God Himself, through the Spirit, to make a change.
