Christ's followers (and I'm glad to be one of them) love Jesus deeply.
However, there's a popular misunderstanding that needs to be corrected: Jesus isn't popular.
When His brothers mocked him, Jesus said, "The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil."(1)
People sometimes claim that Jesus is mostly upset with hypocrites. Not true. Jesus rebukes sin wherever He finds it.(2)
The real Jesus demands repentance, self-denial, and obedience to His commands.(1)
If we're genuine followers, we've counted the cost, we know we'll be hated, and we've promised to turn from our sins (Luke 14:25-33; Matthew 10:22; John 15:18; 1 John 3:6).
We follow Jesus gladly because He's the only way, truth, and life. He's our ultimate joy, our good Shepherd, our Redeemer, the giver of peace and abundant life (John 14:6; John 10:10-11; Ephesians 2:14).
Jesus never has been and never will be popular with the world.
But He always has been and always will be wonderful!
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(1) These are a few of the many Scriptures that refute this soft view of Jesus: Matthew 7:21; Matthew 10:33-38; Matthew 12:50; Matthew 18:3; Luke 6:46; John 2:15-16; John 7:7; Revelation 3:19.
(2) Jesus hates hypocrisy, especially because hypocritical religious leaders are "blind guides" who mislead others (Matthew 15:14). But it's wrong to think Jesus hates hypocrisy more than all other sins. It's also wrong to claim that Jesus "hung out" with sinners. Jesus spent time with sinners, but He always shared the Gospel and called them to repentance when He did. He "hung out" with his twelve disciples. Jesus is never soft on sin. In fact, He even rebukes His followers when they sin (Revelation 3:19).
While scanning items at a self-check-out, I noticed the man next to me was throwing unscanned items into his bags.
I thought of different approaches I could take:
“He’s probably poor so it's not his fault.”
“It’s not my place to do anything.”
“It's the store's job to catch thieves.”
I've heard these excuses for other sins:
“He can’t help it.” (e.g. He was born homosexual or she had bad parenting.)(1)
“It’s not my place to judge.”(2)
“God will convict him.”(3)
While only God can convict a person of sin, He expects Christians to hold Biblical views of sin, report crimes, and confront sinning believers. See How, Who, and What to Judge According to Scripture.
Scripture doesn't support the "Judge not!" teaching that has become so popular among Christians and non-Christians alike. We need to read the full message of Scripture and quit taking two words out of context.
We have a responsibility to speak up for God's truth, even when it would be easier to turn a blind eye. And within the Body of Christ we're commanded to confront fellow believers involved in unrepentant sin (Galatians 6:1).
Let’s not make excuses for ignoring "crimes" no matter where we find them.
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In my situation, I informed the clerk who “helped” the thief scan the unscanned items in his bags.
(1) See Unashamed of God’s Word and Self-pity and Blame-shifting.
(2) See Nobody’s Business.
(3) See 3 Lame Excuses for not Judging.
Bible Love Notes
Without glasses, the biggest “E” is the only thing I recognize on an eye chart. I could name other letters, but I’d be guessing.
I need corrective lenses to see clearly.
The world’s view of morality is also blurry – like me looking at that eye chart (1 John 2:16), and the Bible is our corrective lens (Psalm 119:105).
It's important to realize that Scripture never changes to accommodate the blurring views of culture. It corrects them (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
For example, in the last fifty years, our culture has approved premarital sex, pornography, homosexuality, and transgenderism. Our culture overestimates money and self-esteem and underestimates honesty and self-denial.
But God is unchanging and His Word is unchanging (Hebrews 13:8; Isaiah 40:8). As our loving Creator, He wants what is best for us. And He alone knows what damages our souls.
So whenever moral issues begin to blur, let's make sure we're wearing the unchanging “corrective lens” of Scripture.
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For more about God's unchanging view of sexual morality, see these 1-minute devotions: God's View of Sex.
For more about God's unchanging view of money and materialism, see these 1-minute devotions: Money & Possessions.
For more about God's unchanging view of self-denial and humility, see these 1-minute devotions: Biblical Self-Esteem.
Bible Love Notes
