Christians living by truth are often perceived by non-Christians as liars.

1. “You are so judgmental!”

2. “You are such a hypocrite!”

3. “You think you are so better than me!”

4. “You really are a hater!”

I am always sad when someone misinterprets my words or actions in a negative light. I absolutely mean no harm to anyone.  The Bible calls me to love.

John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Loving one another was not an unheard of commandment. Old Testament Leviticus 19:18 tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Then in New Testament John 13:34-35 we read this commandment again. But here Jesus calls it “new” because now the disciples  saw how true love really lives.

Jesus’ life on earth is the epitome of loving others. Then He expanded His love even further than we humans ever will, by dying in His perfect love for us sacrificially on The Cross. 

1. “You are so judgmental!”

Yet as we speak this love we are often misheard. Problems arise when we disagree with mainstream points of view. Their topics and opinions are sometimes not up for discussion. Christians are expected to not take a stand, especially if our point of view contradicts their point of view.  Society does not want to know what God stated when He created man; their thoughts seem simply to be “If it feels good, do it!”.

But Christians know the fleeting moment of a selfish lifetime here on earth is nothing compared to our promised eternity of love in the presence of God.

2. “You are such a hypocrite!”

Non-believers think we think of ourselves as perfect. Christians know this is so very far from the truth. Jesus Christ is our only perfection and that is why He was the only sacrificial choice to atone for all sin.

Christians live in constant battle with satan and often times we loose those short term conflicts. The Holy Spirt is always there guiding us and cheering us on to do right but temptation of anger and frustration sometimes does get the better of us.

Thankfully the Holy Spirit is our conscience and Christians try to follow Him by making amends, asking forgiveness, and trying our best to follow the Spirit’s lead.

3. “You think you are so better than me!”

I believe when someone makes that statement while doing something others regard as questionable, they know that whatever they are doing really is questionable.  There will always be topics with problems that not everyone will agree upon the solutions.

When creating the solutions we have to think if the solution displays God’s love with respect to His Biblical laws and teachings.  He gave us rules to follow which come from His perfect plan for us. His rules glorify Him and make living amongst ourselves harmonious.

When we create plans for solutions to social problems in the name of love that by-pass God given laws, in effect those solutions can not be interrupted by Christians as biblically correct. 

4. “You really are a hater!”

Trying to choose correct words and conduct ourselves in a Christian manner that brings glory to God yet does not offend someone is hard in today’s politically correct society. But we are called to “Learn to do right;” which means trying to figure what the correct answer is that God calls “right”.

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

Let us remember we are not called to sit and do nothing. We should constantly be trying to “Learn to do right; seek justice.”

Just as satan is constantly trying to bully us to keep quiet and let him inject his hateful darkness; God calls us to share the love of His Son and glorify Him in heaven.

Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Yes, some Christians are aggressive in preserving their faith. Prompting accusations of passing judgement, being hypocritical, thinking ourselves better and/or considered haters when non-Christians compare their lives to ours.

But I hope any flicker,  any luminescence in the darkness, any offering of a radiant hope or  beacon of brightly shining love for God which we cannot contain and are told should not contain, is always offered with an open invitation to follow Jesus.