"Those" Christians

Making the decision to leave Colorado and head to Iowa wasn't one that was made overnight. There was lots of prayer, many convictions, sound biblical council, and a search of scripture to solidify the decision. There are days my decision is hard for me. I had one a few days ago. The lies were everywhere and I could feel my anxiety start to increase. Luckily McKenna said something that made me snap (at her...I can be so wicked) but the Lord used it and we were able to discus my decision to move to Iowa in a safe area that was illuminated by Truth.

As most of you know, the core reason I am moving to Des Moines is to be in fellowship with the amazing kids at the Downtown Church. For those of you who wandered into my blog on cyberspace and live in the Des Moines area I would suggest you check it out. It's solid. There are many things about the DTC that I love. The major theme that sweeps through everything that is taught and lived out at the church is the desire to become more Christlike. As we know, the world we live in is broken. To become Christlike in a place like this seems next to impossible, but that's what we're called to do. And if this is your goal, you get to witness day after day the most amazing gift that we have been blessed with, and that's grace. There is no positive change that can happen in the heart of a person without the work of the Spirit. People can change their beliefs, they can change their actions or their words, but if you want to see someones LIFE change, there must first be a heart change.

As we become more and more actively engaged in the community that we are called to be in fellowship with we begin to see changes that reflect the mentality of the group. You see that everywhere you look in our society. The Lord, in all His goodness, created us to be relational people. We are motivated, conditioned, and encouraged by other people. I have heard the following expression many times, "You are who you surround yourself with." You want to become more Christlike? Try this. Surround yourself with people who have a similar goal. You want to get really deep into the music scene? Suggestion. Surround yourself with people who have a similar goal. You want to dominate the hierarchy of corporate America? Oh, wait for it, this is about to get crazy, SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO HAVE A SIMILAR GOAL. I'm shattering all laws of time and reason with this stuff. I hope you're taking notes.

Yesterday I was talking with a woman and she was asking me about the Downtown Church. What their beliefs are, what their mission looks like, how they view the teachings of the bible, just standard stuff. I told her about Mission To The City and about how my boldness and love for the Lord literally SPARKED into being the day I shared the gospel with strangers on the street. She looked at me, and with a tone of utter defeatedness said, "Oh. You're one of THOSE Christians." The words and tone weren't mean. And I don't believe she intended them to be. They were just sad. Disappointed.

I kind of paused, and in a kind voice asked, "What do you mean when you say "those" Christians?" She went on to explain that she didn't mean it in a derogatory way, she just felt like it wasn't the right way to love on people. She believes it is too judgemental, too aggressive, and too uncomfortable for non-believers. I thanked her for being honest, and for some reason couldn't share with her why I disagreed. I was sad, and angry, and all I could think about was how flawed our system of "Christianity" here in the United States is.

I have been in many churches in my life. From when I was an infant to now there are 5 churches that I would say I had basically been a member of. I've covered the denominational spectrum. Christian Reformed, Methodist, Evangelical Free, and recently two non-denominational churches. The Downtown Church will be my 6th church, but my first home.

In 4 of these churches I didn't know the Lord. I knew religion. I wouldn't be what you would call "a rule follower" and as such religion (and all it's rules) gave me no value. It carried no weight with me. All of the churches have had their strengths and weaknesses. Some more heavily skewed to one side or the other, but they have all served their purpose in my life.

The Downtown Church has taught me what kind of "those Christians" I want to be. If I am going to be hated by this world it is going to be for being the type of Christian who is willing to die for Christ. I have come to terms with the truth that I am an alien and stranger on this earth. Not all people will love me, in fact many will hate me. I can accept that. But if I am going to fall into the "those Christians" it is going to be because I look different than the world.

People say the number one issue they have with Christianity is the hypocrisy. And I understand what they're talking about. People that live for the world, live for sin, but then preach the message of grace. I have seen it. I have lived it. Churches that watch the pastor fall into lies and sin, while the elders sit idly by, continuing to allow him to lead his flock toward those lies. The staff follows right along suit, living a life apart from light. Slaves to alcohol, lust, hardened hearts, and evident pride they preach the same message. Freedom in Christ. Freedom to live for your flesh. Freedom to be a slave to sin. I've heard that type of Christian described as, "those Christians" and I will take the other kind any day.

I'm not saying this to condemn, God has the final say and it's obviously better that way. I tend to be mildly wicked at times (....or all of the time apart from the Lord). I'm saying this to you, the person reading this. The Christian that has a choice in where they are allowing their heart to be lead. Do you want to become Christlike? Are you surrounding yourself with a body of believers that has the same goal? Not what their words say, but what their actions say. We are called to test the Spirits by evaluating their fruit. The circle you run with...what fruit is being produced? Is the fruit love, patience, peace, submission, obedience, and fellowship? Does it look like fruit that would be produced in a Holy Kingdom, or does it look like fruit that the world would produce?

Matthew 7: 15-20 "Watch out for false prophets. They will come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them."

What kind of Christian will you be? Will you be one that with their words proclaims the name of the Lord but by their actions conforms to the ways of the world?

Matthew 7: 24-27 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord', will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!"

Or will you be one of "those Christians?" You put your flesh to death, and you go out and proclaim the love of Christ to all who will listen. One of "those Christians" who lives in a body of believers with the same goal, to become more Christlike. One of "those Christians" who serves, because Christ served. Submits, because Christ submitted. Lays down their life for the gospel, because Christ laid down His life for the gospel.

The gospel is too rowdy to just sit there. Pick a team. The World or Jesus.