A few weeks ago, I wrote about four major reasons why some Christians don’t act like Christians, and how such behavior could turn others away from the faith. Read the article here (www.nikiheat.com/4-reasons-why-some-christians-dont-act-like-christians/).
As born again Christians, the world not only hears us, it watches us; and as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. Therefore, acting like a Christian is more powerful than telling people you are one.
My article today is about how an individual Christian should respond when another Christian behaves contrary to God’s word. The emphasis here is on individual Christian as opposed to the response of the Church.
When Christians don’t act like Christians, should you turn away from the faith? Should you pick up a sledge hammer to judge and condemn? Or is there a better way to respond that neither hurts your faith nor passes judgment on other people?
I absolutely believe there are better ways to respond. Condemning and criticizing others, even when well-intentioned is not the answer and hardly brings genuine change. However, before I proceed, I’d like to emphasize that Christians are not perfect as there will always be a time when genuine followers of Christ don’t act like they should.
So how do you respond?
Below is a list of four potential responses, all beginning with the word, “Look.” Practically, these are not the only responses, but they kind of involve everything if broken up.
When a Christian doesn’t act like a Christian, you should
- Look inward
Before you point a finger, let the faultfinding start with your own self. Let him that is without sin cast the first stone says a popular passage in the Bible (John 8:7).
As humans, we tend to be very self-protective and often notice faults in others before admitting our own failures. But Jesus calls us hypocrites if we’re quick to point out the sins of others without first examining ourselves (Matthew 7:1-5). Because if we examine our own lives, we might discover that we are worse. You might not be in the spotlight for a sexual scandal, but your razor-sharp tongue may be a deadlier poison on the people around you.
Another advantage to looking inward is that it helps you to be gracious in your response to others when they fail. Christians are sinners saved by grace. Even after salvation, we’re still broken, still desperately in need of God’s grace and mercy.
- Look beyond the surface
Many people are scarred, and their actions, even sinful behavior, can be symptoms of deep-seated traumatic experiences that have never been dealt with. Imagine a Christian woman who even though she attends church regularly and prays fervently, has anger and bitterness issues in almost demonic proportions. When you want to write her off for being a hypocrite, you discover she was abused as a child and has never healed. Would your response to her unchristian behavior be different?
I believe you’d be more sympathetic, unless you’re a Pharisee who tithes mint, dill, and cumin but forgets the weightier matters of the law which are justice, mercy, and faith (Matthew 23:23)
- Look for love in your correction (Galatians 6:1)
It is an expression of Christian love to turn a believer from sin. However, your motive and manner of correction is even more important than your act of correcting. As Christians, we are messengers of reconciliation, not ambassadors of condemnation. If you can’t find a loving way to correct your brother or sister, don’t do it. Maybe you should rather pray for them than seek to confront their sin.
Love doesn’t mean mildness. Love can and should be tough sometimes, but always aimed at winning back your brother to the right path.
While correction will not always result in positive change, your task as a fellow Christian is not to arm-twist someone, but to expose them to the truth.
- Look up to God
We cannot deny that when Christians don’t act like Christ, it can negatively impact the faith of others. It can turn people away from their faith or encourage complacency among believers. Unfortunately, this is something we see today, something the Lord Jesus prophesied about that when iniquity abounds, the love of the majority will grow cold (Matthew 24:12)
To look up to God in the midst of lukewarm Christianity is the only way to keep your faith unshaken. Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). With this perspective, you cannot think of walking away or embracing sin when other Christians act contrary to the Bible.
To wrap up, when Christians don’t act like Christians, it can be hard to respond the right way. We’re quick to judge and condemn. Yet we must desperately seek the right response that doesn’t destroy our faith and that doesn’t hurt other people.
Thank you and God Bless
AkuBai
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Read more of my articles
4 Reasons Why Christians Don’t Act Like Christians
Our Newness of Life, Today and Beyond
Notre Nouveauté De Vie, Aujourd’hui Et Au-Delà
Should Gospel Artists Perform at Night Clubs?
Rise Up, Authentic Woman!
