Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I am reading the book Unchristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons. I bought the book for Brooke for valentines. She hasn't read it yet.. school will do that to you! We had heard about it from my brother. I challenge you to read it, and look at yourself to see how unchristian you may be coming across to those around you. I want to share just a bit from page 182/183.
"To be judgmental is to point out something that is wrong in someone else's life, making the person feel put down, excluded and marginalized. Some part of their potential to be Christ followers is snuffed out. Being judgmental is fueled by self righteousness, the misguided inner motivation to make our life look better by comparing it to the lives of others.
Unfortunately Christians in our culture have become identified with this perception. Nearly 9 out of 10 (87%) young outsiders said the term judgmental accurately describes present day Christianity. This was one of the big 3 --the most widely held negative perceptions of Christians (along with anti homosexual and hypocritical). Just to put this in practical terms, when you introduce yourself to a twentysomething neighbor, and you mention your faith, chances are he or she will think of you as judgmental.
We have also discovered that our better than thou attitudes are apparent to young church goers. Most Christian young people told our interviewers that our faith seems to focus on other peoples faults. More than half the young Christians ages 16-29 (53%) said they believe that the label judgmental accurately fits present-day Christianity" ----OUCH!!!

We are all just sinners saved by grace. Lets show grace and love to others so that they too may want to become Christ followers.
Dear Lord --may the reflection of Christ others see in me be full of grace and love-- not judgmental and hypocritical. AMEN