I'm sorry for having the tendency to misrepresent Jesus and the Gospel through my actions/words/etc.; I'm sorry for not doing everything in my power I can to rebuke the actions/words/etc. of every other Christian who does the same thing; I'm sorry if I have ever been a stumbling block to you; I'm sorry if I do one thing and say another.. hypocrites are my pet peeve; I'm sorry if anything about my lifestyle has ever turned you away from Jesus.
I REALLY am.
Basically, what provoked my thinking about this was a conversation I had with friends concerning this lovely piece of artwork.. (that was sarcasm, by the way):
I'm sorry.. but REALLY?
a. Can someone tell me what that billboard really even means? A cookie goes to whoever can tell me what I will be "saved" from.. other than the fiery pits of hell (which are so beautifully depicted on the top of the billboard)?
b. Last time I checked, Christians are not supposed to scare people into a relationship with Jesus.
c. This is one of the prime examples I'm talking about when I say that Christians (myself included) have the tendency to misrepresent Jesus and the Gospel.
Jesus is about truth and love and peace and freedom.
"I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."
John 10:10
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid."
John 14:27
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Galatians 5:6
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."
Philippians 2:5
I really hope it wasn't the billboard maker's intention to merely scare a nonbeliever into a relationship with Christ; I really hope that they prayed over the creation of this billboard and truly felt that the Lord was calling them to this exact wording, etc. But if not, that sucks.
Time and time again, I come to the much needed realization that I will never be a perfect representation of Jesus, and I'm not supposed to be. THE only perfect representation of Jesus was of course.. Jesus. BUT what that does not mean is that we as Christians should not examine ourselves (the movies we're watching, the music we're listening to, how much we're drinking, our tendency to gossip, etc.)..
and CHANGE what needs to be changed so that we may become increasingly more like Christ.
Christianity is not about saying we're Christians and not living out the life change. Nope. That is called forgery. So if we say we're Christians, let's act like it!
To enforce the importance of this, remember that Jesus left US with the sole task and purpose in life of glorifying Him and declaring His name among the nations. How are we to do that if we are not seen to be a credible source? How are we to do that if our actions are not matching up with our words? How are we to do that if we are discrediting the name of Jesus in a carefree manner?
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
just a little food for thought.
