A few days ago, a site on FB called "Stop Playing Church" posted this quote:
"If following Jesus Christ doesn't cost you anything... It's because you've bought into American Christianity. - Paul Washer"
I took great offense at this statement and honestly, would have had words with this guy, Paul Washer, had he been standing in front of me!
Personally, I'm sick and tired of American bashing! It's bad enough that the countries around the world, who so gladly stick their hands out and take our offerings, say horrible things about us and yet, continue to use our resources. But, to me, it's worse when American Christians get on the self-righteous band wagon and make pompous comments such as the one above.
Do I think this country is perfect? No. Do I think we have lessened our morals and removed God from the public square to our own detriment? Yes. But do I think that American Christians are any less than those around the world? NO!
America is full of loving, kind, giving, gracious, sold out to Christ, hard working, sacrificing, people who normally would give the shirt off their own back to help someone out.
So maybe we don't walk miles one way to get to church (or maybe some do) and maybe we don't have to smuggle Bibles into secret Bible studies, but we face our own hardships and persecutions.
In fact, we're the ones smuggling the Bibles over to their countries, so they can have them in the first place!
Did you struggle last year? My guess would be that you did.
Was your life all peaches and roses, just because you profess Christ as your Lord and Savior? I bet not.
Did you have to trust Him for your safety? Yes. Did you trust Him for your provision? Yes.
It may not be on the same level as someone living in a third world country, but does it make our hearts any less dedicated to the Lord? Absolutely not!
Most Christians I know, have paid some kind of price for following Christ.
What about when you give your life to the Lord when you're 23 years old and not one single friend from your past, can relate to the changes you've made? You know what happens? You give up your friends to follow Him. You face ridicule and people throwing your past up in your face; constantly reminding you of the person you're trying so hard to forget. So you lose friends.
You face your family - those who are not believers - and sometimes you give them up too because they just can't handle the way you live - trying to raise your kids differently than they raised you. They don't understand you at all. They think you're preachy and so they stay away.
Sometimes believers face persecution in the workforce - name calling, accusations that you're a "Jesus boy" and ostracizing you for trying to walk a different path. They purposely fill the air space with vile jokes, in your presence, because they want to shock you and test you. So you're torn between being respectful and not letting your flesh get the best of you, because you know they are just tormenting you on purpose. Sometimes it means you eat alone, work alone, and dread going back, day after day. But you know that following Him is worth it.
Some were innocently minding their own business, in a school in Colorado, when two crazy lunatics walked in and shot those who professed Christ. I'd call that a sacrifice.
And then there are many of us, who daily know that the world is watching, waiting for us to fall flat on our faces in sin, so they can point their fingers our way and show the world that we're not who we say we are. When really, we know that we are exactly what they say we are, except we are saved by grace. And we are daily praying to be more like Him.
So, NO, I don't live in poverty, in a third world country. I don't face some of the hardships that others in foreign lands do. But, I do love the Lord and I sacrifice daily, to walk with Him and for you to say that I (or we) don't, is just self-righteous and a lie. You don't know me or my heart or my walk with my precious savior, so don't pretend that you do.
I'm proud to be a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ AND I'm proud to be an American too. God blessed this country and I believe, He is still blessing those of us who desire to please Him and walk with Him.
So get off your anti-American high horse and be thankful that GOD gave you the privilege of living in this great nation. It doesn't mean you're any better, but it sure the heck doesn't mean you're any worse! We are ALL sinners, saved by Grace.
Debbie, you have a gift for keeping the perspective on things right. I do understand a bit of Mr. Washer's point of view--he speaks to Christians who have a form of godliness but deny the power therein, who have replaced the Creator with the created, who unknowingly run church as a business and a program instead of a faith, and have gotten so comfortable thinking that is enough without assessing their personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteBut I know that you are right. Regardless of the number of churches within walking distance of your home, or the number of Bibles in your house, faith is all that is required to know Him, and faith can be had. God is no respecter of persons. We did not choose where we were born, and I have thanked God countless times that He blessed me to be an American, born in a country of freedom, beauty, heritage, and even prosperity. If God calls my family away from America, I will go, but if not, I am more than happy to stay and trust His perfect, sovereign hand in all things, and thank Him for His goodness! I don't believe it is too late for America, either. It is a good country that can simply, as always, use some good men still to lead it, in politics,in business, in our communities,and in our families.
But at the end of all things, we all have to meet Him, face to face, regardless of where we were born and how much money we had. He is no harder or easier to find in wealthy America than He is in the desolate, remote bush country. It's the individual heart of the person that makes the difference. I am thankful for the godly Christians, American Christians, God has put in my life to help me know Him better!
Thank you for speaking up!
Without reading on the FB site where he is coming from, and strictly just going by the quote you've mentioned, I'm inclined to agree. Unfortunately that really is the way many around the world, including many in America, view American Christianity--what's in it for me. Think two un-biblical doctrines: the extreme grace doctrine (or some call it the heresy grace doctrine) and the prosperity doctrine.
ReplyDeleteOne interesting sidenote I'd like to point out as well is the fact that our American prosperity doctrine is what is subtly (sp?)causing a discontent among other nations. Many foreign-born missionaries come to America to be taught this doctrine and end up staying because of the wealth that can be had that won't be found in their own country. I've personally known of several and after my husband and daughter attended an African Pastor's conference several years ago, that was his assessment.
I also agree with you statements, Debbie. To lump all American Christians into one broad category isn't right, because there is a remnant out there who are fed-up with the noise and busy-ness of church life and just desire a closer, intimate fellowship with the Lord.
I think Christians in America are like anywhere else - it takes dedication to the Lord in order to stay close to Him. I guarantee there are those in other countries that give their lives to the Lord while the missionaries are there, then go right back to the witch doctor a week later. No one is sinless and no one society will ever have it down perfectly. We are all the same - you're either for him or against him and we all fall short in some area of our walk. Those that think differently are full of pride.
DeleteI just don't like his accusation.
I hear ya! It's all about choice whether we live 'comfortably' in America or not.
ReplyDelete