Introduction: True Christianity and the Misguided Measure of “Good Christians”
Back in April of 2022, I wrote this on my Facebook in reaction to something that happened. Enough time and events have passed that I now feel comfortable reposting this in a more public setting. I understand that there will be good Christian people who may be angered by this post, but Jesus’ words stands as they stand.
I apologize for the rant, but I feel compelled to address something that has been weighing heavily on my mind. It concerns the audacity of some people who publicly claim to be Christians while engaging in actions that are anything but Christ-like.
Understanding the True Essence of Being a “Good Christian”
To all the self-identified “#GoodChristians” out there—those who resemble Sister Bertha Betterthanyou and Brother Hank Holyroller—this is for you. If you frequently declare, “I’m a good Christian person,” chances are, you’re not as “good” as you believe. When Jesus was called, “Good Teacher,” he responded, “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone.” This response underscores a crucial point: goodness, in its truest form, belongs to God alone.
What troubles me deeply is the frequency with which people start conversations with phrases like, “I’m a good Christian person,” or “I live by good Christian values,” only to follow these declarations with hateful, deceitful, and judgmental rhetoric. Such behavior starkly contrasts with the teachings of Jesus.
Stovall Weems on Being a True Follower of Jesus Christ
Stovall Weems, in his first sermon titled “Gateway to Heaven” from the series “Loosing My Religion,” said, “I don’t care if people call me a Christian or not. With some Christian circles, I don’t want to be associated with them. You know what I want to be known as? A follower of Jesus Christ!” He emphasized, “The Good News is there is a gateway to heaven, but it’s not built with bricks. It’s built with our living stone, ‘Jesus Christ!'”
Jesus’ Critique of Hypocrisy and Religious Legalism
Jesus had harsh words for the Pharisees, who were the religious leaders of his time. In Matthew 23:15, he said, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when you have succeeded, you make them twice as much a child of hell as you are.” This illustrates the danger of professing righteousness while leading others astray through hypocrisy and legalism.
In his second sermon, “The Trap of Religion,” Weems further elaborated on this by quoting Jesus from Matthew 23:13: “What did Jesus say to religion? ‘You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces, and you don’t enter in. You prevent those from entering in.'” This criticism is directed at those who use religion to block others from experiencing the true essence of God’s love and grace.
Reflecting on the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
The parable of “The Sheep and the Goats” in Matthew 25:31-49 has always been a source of contemplation for me. In this story, Jesus separates all the nations before him into two groups:
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’”
In Matthew 7, Jesus tells a similar story but adds:
“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 in your name perform many miracles?’”
The so-called #Good #Christians in this story were not as good as they thought. Despite their prophesying, driving out demons, and performing miracles in Jesus’ name, they were met with the chilling response, “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”
The Bible as a Guide, Not a Weapon
I’ve often mused that when we reach the afterlife, we will be astonished at who made it into heaven and who did not. The Bible, with its profound wisdom, is a double-edged sword—not ours to wield in judgment. Instead, we should withhold our judgmental attitudes until we are without sin. Such attitudes only serve to push others further away from the heart of God. We must remember that the measure we use to judge others is the measure by which we will be judged by God.
Embracing Genuine Faith: Love, Respect, and Value
My advice is simple: stop thumping the Bible and start reading it—thoroughly and repeatedly. It has the power to transform our perspectives. I speak from experience, having read the entire Bible multiple times.
Ultimately, my goal in life is to hear Jesus say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” To achieve this, I believe we must:
- Love imperfect people unconditionally, as God loves them.
- Treat everyone with the respect that God has for them.
- Value others with the same worth that God places on them.
Sincerely,
An imperfect, sinful, #NotSoGood, Christian
Join the Conversation
I invite you to share your thoughts and reflections on this topic in the comments below. Let’s engage in a meaningful dialogue on what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ in today’s world. This blog post is as much directed at myself as it is at other Christians, because we all have the potential to embody the sinful behaviors of Sister Bertha Betterthanyou or Brother Hank Holyroller. Let’s strive together to live out our faith with genuine love, respect, and humility.