Wearing Our Faith On Our Sleeve
POSTED IN: Blog Posts
Bono said it best when he said, “Christians are hard to tolerate; I don’t know how Jesus does it.” We all have met or know the type of Christians Bono is talking about.
In 1996, 85 percent of outsiders were favorable toward Christianity’s role in society. Now, however, nearly 2 out of every 5 young outsiders (38 percent) claim to have a “bad impression of present-day Christianity” and 1 of out 6 (17 percent) said their impression is “very bad.” One-third of young outsiders said that Christianity represents a negative image with which they would not want to be associated. (statistics gathered and explained in the book UnChristian)
How far removed that impression is from what Jesus envisioned for his followers. “Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples – when they see the love you have for each other.” (John 13:34-35)
Notice that Jesus didn’t say that the world will know we are His followers because of the music we listen to, the church we go to or the political candidate we vote for. I love how Derek Webb says it in his song T-Shirts:
T-Shirts
by Derek Webb
They’ll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
They’ll know us by the way we point and stare
At anyone whose sin looks worse than ours
Who cannot hide the scars of this curse that we all bareThey’ll know us by our picket lines and signs
They’ll know us by the pride we hide behind
Like anyone on earth is living right
And isn’t that why Jesus died
Not to make us think we’re rightWhen love, love, love
Is what we should be known for
Love, love, love
It’s the how and it’s the why
We live and breathe and we dieThey’ll know us by reasons we divide
And how we can’t seem to unify
Because we’ve gotta sing songs a certain style
Or we’ll walk right down that aisle
And just leave ‘em all behindThey’ll know us by the billboards that we make
Just turning God’s words to cheap cliches
Says “what part of murder don’t you understand?”
But we hate our fellow man
And point a finger at his graveThey’ll know us by the t-shirts that we wear
They’ll know us by the way we point and stare
Telling ‘em their sins are worse than ours
Thinking we can hide our scars
Beneath these t-shirts that we wear
Mahatma Gandhi summed it up this way, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Do people need a t-shirt to identify you as a Christ-follower or is it evident by the way you love others? When will the world again know we are Jesus’ disciples by our love for one another?
11 Comments
Share yours!
Leave a Comment
Here's your chance to speak.
Popular Posts
Categories
- Apple (17)
- Authenticity (85)
- Blog Posts (540)
- Blogging (25)
- Book Reviews (12)
- Childhood Memories (14)
- Church (42)
- Church Planting (29)
- Compassion (23)
- Conferences (36)
- Contests (7)
- Creativity (38)
- Culture (88)
- Cute or Creepy? (10)
- Family (83)
- Just For Fun (33)
- Kenya Trip (18)
- Leadership (28)
- Makes You Think (99)
- Marketing (17)
- Monday Mixtape (6)
- Movies & TV (29)
- Music (70)
- photos (31)
- Randomness (74)
- Social Justice (50)
- Technology (28)
- Videos (102)
- wallpaper (3)
Archives
- September 2010 (1)
- August 2010 (9)
- July 2010 (10)
- June 2010 (12)
- May 2010 (13)
- April 2010 (17)
- March 2010 (18)
- February 2010 (18)
- January 2010 (22)
- December 2009 (1)
- November 2009 (7)
- October 2009 (21)
- September 2009 (22)
- August 2009 (19)
- July 2009 (20)
- June 2009 (17)
- May 2009 (17)
- April 2009 (14)
- March 2009 (22)
- February 2009 (22)
- January 2009 (23)
- December 2008 (27)
- November 2008 (26)
- October 2008 (39)
- September 2008 (31)
- August 2008 (29)
- July 2008 (27)
- June 2008 (29)
- May 2008 (31)
- April 2008 (30)
Visit My Website
June 10, 2010
Permalink
At the end of the day, people should be remembering Christians by what they’re doing, not what they’re wearing or saying. I think we have a problem on our hands if we’re not known for putting faith into action by committing acts of justice and mercy.
Visit My Website
June 10, 2010
Permalink
I try hard not to be more than just a t-shirt wearer. Sometimes I succeed. Sort of like fish symbols on cars.
Visit My Website
June 10, 2010
Permalink
Oops I meant to say “I try hard to be” Sure sounds bad the other way.
Visit My Website
June 10, 2010
Permalink
This should be read in every church in America. Seriously. So many times we miss the boat. Those stats are painfully sobering. A good friend of mine put it this way the other day, “People will always be drawn to those who walk, talk, smell and act like Jesus.” Good stuff Brad.
Visit My Website
June 10, 2010
Permalink
Every post you write makes me want to say “That’s the best post I’ve read from your blog!” Until I realize they’re all in that category. I really appreciate what you write.
This is such a crucial, important message, Brad — thank you for delivering the truth so beautifully and yet so powerfully.
This should be a sermon message in every church.
Visit My Website
June 10, 2010
Permalink
Good, good stuff, Brad.
If all we have at the end of the day is a bunch of shirts on our backs and stickers on our cars, then we’re going to be in for a very rude awakening. No t-shirt or sticker has ever loved anyone. Sure, it may have caused someone to think, but when we love they see God displayed.
I pray that I can do that more…
Visit My Website
June 10, 2010
Permalink
One of my favorite Derek Webb songs lyrically, because I agree so much with what he and you have said on this subject. We get so caught up in trying to make sure we live/vote/talk right in our own lives that we spend too much time bashing others with those same struggles – and then all they hear is how wrong they are. If people aren’t drawn to God (and to a lesser extent, to the church) in the first place, why would they care what they’re doing wrong? It’s like we mistake these issues that should be handled personally/individually and within a caring, small-group environment for the things we need to announce via megaphone to a world that doesn’t even care about right & wrong yet.
Visit My Website
June 10, 2010
Permalink
It’s my greatest desire.
Visit My Website
June 10, 2010
Permalink
This is the message I have been sharing left and right. I am amazed at how many “Christians” don’t get it, want to hear it or ignore it. So I just keep on keepin’ on. Kudos.
Visit My Website
June 15, 2010
Permalink
Seriously spot on post man.
Visit My Website
June 17, 2010
Permalink
My favorite line from a movie: Woody Allen’s “Hannah and Her Sisters.” The character played by Max von Sydow has stayed up all night with insomnia and watched televangelists. He says to Hannah, “If Jesus were to return today, He would never stop puking.”