Why are Christians So…

Posted on September 7, 2017 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Once when I was in church, my pastor showed us this video that really resonated with me called “Why are Christians so…” In this video, a man typed these words into the Google search engine and used Google predictive search to really investigate what nonbelievers think of how Christians behave. Words came up like

• Judgmental
• Ignorant
• Fake
• Angry
• Arrogant
• Condescending
• Divided
• Full of hate
• Hypocritical

Now, I know that the Bible says that the world will hate us because we are Christians. We have beliefs that disagree with the world, and for that reason, people will hate us no matter how loving we may come across. But when I think of Jesus, wherever He went people were attracted to Him. There were tons of people who did not like Him and tried to hurt Him, taunt Him, and trick Him into saying the wrong things, but He was also constantly surrounded by a great crowd of followers. Though many people didn’t like what He was preaching, nobody could say He was fake, angry, condescending, full of hate, hypocritical, etc. Even Pontius Pilate admitted that he could find no fault with Jesus.
John MacArthur has a quote: “You are the only Bible some unbelievers will ever read.” That is really interesting to me. Colossians 3 speaks about clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, and “over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:12-13). Galatians 5:22-23 speaks about the Fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
As Christians, it is pleasant for us to dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1). It is good for us to love our enemies and do good to them, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Luke 6:35, Mark 12:31). It is wonderful if we are filled with joy, peace, and hope (Romans 15:13). It is good for us to exude kindness and love.
This is a Victory Call I’m writing to remind my own self as well. Just yesterday I was in a really bad mood and decided to stop at Wawa when an older man looked at me, saw my short nails, and started correcting me on why I shouldn’t be biting my nails. I had to choose between responding in kind or responding in anger. I chose to respond with kindness, but I left feeling really bitter, annoyed, and frustrated. I myself need to remember that as a Christian and as someone who is representing the Lord, though I fall short constantly, I need to strive to live as Jesus lived as much as I can.
Erin Culleny serves as a Marketing Assistant and Staff Writer. She loves encouraging women through her Victory Calls and finds such joy in praying for her sisters in Christ. Her favorite activities include reading her Bible, encouraging others with scripture, buying new makeup, buying dresses, and eating at the Cheesecake Factory… In that order!