Wrong Impressions
Posted: Saturday, October 15, 2011
by John Waddey
firstcenturychristian
As a voracious reader, a news junkie and an observer of American society I have noticed that manyr of our generation hold some very wrong views about Christians. Following are some mistaken assumptions commonly held.
• That Christians are not well-educated. There are several million Christians on planet earth. They are found in most of the nations of the world. Those living in third world nations might well be limited in their education attainments. But those living here in America cannot be put in that category. Like most other Americans, Christians have received their basic education and the majority of our generation have gone on to college. Many of them have attained graduate degrees and not a few hold their doctorate. Christians put a high value on education. It enables them to read and comprehend their Bible. It also enables them to be productive in their lives.
• That Christians oppose progress. Contrary to this, it was Christianity that led the Romans to outlaw infanticide, gladiatorial games, slavery, and a multitude of other social evils. It was Christians who planted many of the early colonies on the north-American continent. Christians helped to end slavery in our nation. To this day, Christians continue to work of the improvement of the morals and values of our society.
• That Christians rob life of its joy and pleasures. Those who say this have in mind a certain, sordid kind of joy and pleasure. Christians enjoy life to the fullest. They can have a party without a hangover, without cocaine, marijuana or booze. They can love one another and maintain personal purity. Their pleasure does not impose harm on their neighbor. The worldly sort seeks a different kind of pleasure and suffers the consequences thereof.
• That Christians are intolerant. It is true that in days past some of the sects of Christianity were intolerant, but they do not represent the genuine Christianity. No one is more intolerant than the secularist. Look at the intolerance of the Communist nations ruled by dedicated secularists. Consider the intolerance of most Muslim nations. Compare them with the average Christians and the difference will be striking. Christians don’t want to force or coerce anyone into their ranks. Nor do they wish to silence those with other views. They will challenge their opponent and match ideas with them.
• That Christians are bad for a society or community. This assumption is based on blind prejudice and hatred of Christianity. Christians live by the following code, "whatsoever things are true, ... are honorable, ... are just, ... are pure, ...are lovely, ...are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Phil. 4:8). Such people can only bless a community.
• That Christians persecute unbelievers. The person saying this cannot look to any place in today’s world and point out a case of Christians persecution unbelievers. If they said Islam does, they would be correct, but not Christians! The are instructed to live at peace with all men (Rom. 12:18). They may be persecuted but they will not persecute. Historically it is the unbeliever who persecuted.
• Christians try to control everything and everybody. It was the Christian faith of the majority of the founders of our government who conceived a nation with unlimited religious freedom. We are not meddlers in other men’s matters (I Pet. 4:15). We grant to others the freedom and liberty we desire for ourselves (Matt. 7:12).
• That Christians have no interest in this present life; they live only for a future paradise. Wrong again. Jesus taught us to pray that God’s will and his kingdom would be honored on earth as in heaven (Matt. 6:10). We are expected to the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matt. 5:13-16). We are here to serve God and humanity. Ponder what our society would be like had there been no Christianity!
• Christians want to make their religion the official state religion of America. This is one of many flagrant lies repeated by the enemies of Christ. The Kingdom of Christ is not "of this world"(John 18:36). It is a spiritual kingdom without borders. We do want to influence our neighbors to follow Jesus (Matt. 28:19), but we are content to be in subjection to the higher powers of government (Rom. 13:1).
• That Christians are all hypocrites. This of course is a lying insult. It is true that no Christian is perfect in his conduct, but he does try to live by the code of Jesus. It is likewise true that there are a few Christians who are pretenders. They wear the name of Christ but live by the standards of the world. But the overwhelming majority of those who profess Christ do their best to please him They strive to live sober, righteous and godly lives (Tit. 2:12). Even among the most adamant secularists you will find those who live a double life. Pots cannot call kettles black.
The strength of these accusations melts away when the honest sinner sees the faithful Christians living in his midst.
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