In the book unChristian, researcher and author David Kinnaman—a believer in Jesus—details many negative perceptions of Christians shared by unbelievers. What can we do to better represent Jesus to the world in a winsome way?
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AManofGod on November 22, 2010 at 9:26 am
I think that is a great question. I have learned that so many people who claim to be Christians love to think they have ALL the answers and other so-called Christians are just faking it or don’t really have a relationship with Christ. I’ve heard Baptists say “all Catholics are going to hell” and I’ve learn Lutherans say the same about Baptists. As Christians we all need to accept and love each other and realize that “religion” is extremely unimportant but a “REAL” relationship with Jesus is SUPER important. Heaven is not divided up into sections like a baseball stadium where certain denominations get the choice seats and other lesser denominations have to sit in the bleachers!
Once we apply the love of God into our hearts SERIOUSLY we won’t seek to put down other Christians but we will seek to add to the universal Church…..which is led by Jesus Christ. If we do that non-Christians may seek to enjoy the love and fellowship that we SHARE.
zero_g on November 23, 2010 at 7:16 am
Using the study David Kinnaman did for his book, Adam Hamilton was inspired to write his own book called When Christians Get it Wrong. According to Adam’s book, which we are studying in our Small Group, we are hypocritical. We don”t treat science and politics as we should. We are not tolerant of other religions. We don’t respond well when bad things happen. And we don’t deal with homosexuality in a Christian way.
jeGeddes on November 24, 2010 at 12:30 am
The church needs to accept all divisions as 1. Baptists, Lutherans, Catholics, the lot, will all go to heaven if they believe that Jesus saved them. No need to preach that “Catholics are going to hell” or “Baptists are going to hell”. No their not if they believe in Jesus. No matter how many divisions there are, in God’s eyes, their is 1 church. He doesn’t care if you sing traditional hymns, or contemporary choruses. It is all praising to him, and he likes it. So lets be 1 church, and not 50 churches.
purestrength on November 24, 2010 at 10:36 am
We can represent Jesus better to the world by being like Him and being obediant to Him. We can be kind and patient with others. – Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
We can serve other people and put their needs before our needs – Matthew 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
We can stop judging other people – Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
We can -pray without ceasing -1 Thess. 5:17 pray continually; – for others – asking our Father to speak truth to their hearts, to save them and to bless them – Luke 6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Most of these directives go against what the world tells us to do, however we have a Father – Abba – who loves us and cares for us – Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
Smile often and be sincerely caring for others.
Jesus will give us all we need to show His love to others as we seek Him and believe Him.
hello on November 26, 2010 at 10:55 am
DEar purestrength:
I like what you written here. It is really an encouragement for the christians.
I havent read on the book of David Kinnaman but though i also have same experience as what the topic mentioned above. It shows that christian always act fakely to the non believers. I feel the same that is the reason why i dont really like to attend church. I feel some christians think that I am not really loves God as they do, respect God as they do,….etc. I feel they very fake when seeing them in chuch every weekend. But, I also feel I very fake because I still smiling to them eventhough i know how they think of me.
Honestly speaking, smiling not sincerely in the heart is not me. But, I just want to be kind to them because I know God will likes me and encourage me to treat my enemy the same way. I might not able to talk to my enemy since I know they dislike me.But, I can give a friendly smile to them without saying a word. But, since some christian in church are so sensitive or so called attentive kind of person, they might feel that i am very fake. But, I know what I am doing in my heart.
God will know that, and He weight the heart. I just want to encourage you to live for the challenges that God gives you.I know I am real but sometimes are being forced to fake a little.
I know who I am worshipping. I go to church not because of who and so. But, just I want to be closer to God and He wants me to stay tuned with other christian.
daisymarygoldr on November 29, 2010 at 7:05 pm
The above Q was answered in today’s “The Supremacy of Jesus Christ” in My Utmost for His Highest.
In Acts 2, illiterate fishermen and ordinary folks represented Jesus to the world in the best way. After having received the gift of the Holy Spirit, these Jewish followers of Jesus were supernaturally transformed to win the world for Christ.
Even today, common people like the millionaire, the factory worker, the teacher and the homeless person can all be “winsome” witnesses to the Gospel. The key is to recognize the fact that we cannot function on faith that is handed down or inherited.
Only when we personally “Repent and be baptized, every one of us, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins” to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, He will enable us to:
Witness the Gospel by words—with bold urgency. Peter urged the people to “get out of this sick and stupid culture!”(Acts 2:40 The Msg).
Witness the Gospel by attitude. They did not segregate themselves into groups based on ethnicity, economic status or education. They were one in heart and mind—there was neither Jew nor Greek, rich or poor.
Witness the Gospel by deeds. They loved one another and shared everything they had. “No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own”.
Witness the Gospel by living it. They devoted themselves to regular Bible Study, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.
As a result “everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles”. When Christians marked by God’s love were miraculously healed to be made whole, it attracted others to Jesus Christ and “every day their number grew as God added (to the church) those who were saved”.
Needless to say, it was because of the Holy Spirit the first century believers enjoyed favor with all the people (Acts 2:47) and so can we, if we imitate their example. Are we doing this today?