Is this really 'christ-like'?

Question

My whole life, I have that heard that the bible tells us not to judge others. And my whole life, I've seen some of the most judgmental people in those who call themselves believers. I have worked in the restaurant industry for 8 years now and some of the nastiest, rudest most condescending people have been the people who come in for lunch after church. It is so frustrating to me that these people who claim to be born-again or saved are living without the slightest ounce of compassion. My mom and sisters are guilty of this too! They are so self-righteous and judgmental about everything I do. I am 25, by the way. I am compassionate, make good decisions, treat others with respect, yet because I don't go to church with them and read the bible with them everyday and don't pray before I eat, I am a bad person. How can they expect me to even WANT to follow their path if not only they, but so many other so-called believers out there setting such a bad example of what it is to be religious?

Answer 1

*hugs*

It's hard when Christians forget that their religion was founded on Christ, huh? It often seems like none of them even try to emulate him, but you've got to stop letting it bother you. Almost everyone is a hypocrite at one time or another. Some peope learn and grow, others are already sure that they're perfect.

When you need a smile, just remember that going to Church makes one Christian like going to the garage makes one a car.

Answer 2

Sweetie you cannot allow all of those people to influence your personal relationship with God. I know exactly how you feel as my family is the same way and I have come accross so many so called Christians who are worse than the devil himself...lol.. but that just has made me want to be even more Christ like so that I can show every one out there that there are still some Christians who try our hardest to live in righteousness and holiness. My relationship with God has nothing to do with any of them and I really had to learn that the hard way. God has been so good to me that I won't let any of them ruin it for me. All we can do is pray for them and ask God to forgive them for the things they say and do and in turn ask God to give us the strength to not let that affect our relationship with Him. The closer you draw towards God, the closer He will draw near to you. Don't let them push you away from God because in the end it's you that will lose out by not having in your life the only person in this world that loves you so much He gave His life for you on the cross. If you need a friend or someone to pray for you I'm here... God bless!

Answer 3

There is a difference in being judgmental and testing people's behavior against scripture. I am sorry if people from church have been rude to you. I have no explanation as to why people would act that way except to say just because someone goes to church does not make them a Christian. No more than hanging out in a hospital makes someone a doctor.
As far as your faith with God, do not base it on the behavior of others. You should seek God because you want to see is kingdom and his Glory. You don't have to behave like the self righteous people in your life. On the contrary; you can set an example of how they should act.

Answer 4

Follow Jesus, not Christians. If you think the Christians act bad, have you walked into some of the churches recently? Why do you think God says that "judgment begins in the house of God." The only way some of these people can be half way nice is to set in church every Sunday. The people in church every Sunday need to be there. The pastor knows that they must be preached to every Sunday or they will go completely bad.

Also we find wonderful, loving, kind, caring Christians in church too. They love the Lord. They are kind and they over tip at restaurants. They are always willing to help any one in need. Christians have demons too. They don't want to admit it, but they do. Most of the churches wouldn't know a Deliverance Ministry if they saw one and don't even believe that we can do what Jesus said we could do. If they can't lay hands on the sick and make them well then you end up with the whole church sick. If they come to your restaurant mean and mad at the world then 9 times out of 10 they have an evil spirit that can easily be cast out.

Don't confuse being judgmental with exposing sin. Sin must be brought to the light so it can be dealt with.

You would make a good Christian example. Why don't you go to that church and change the congregation into some loving, kind, caring Christian people? Sometimes all people need is to be shamed a little. Quote a few "love your brother as yourself" verses. Tell them that the Lord loves righteousness and justice.

Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
Psalm 33:8

Tell Mom and Sister to read about the Prodigal Son and his self-righteous brother as they are reading their Bible each day.

Baby Christians act just like your mother and sister. Tell them they need to become Mature Christians. I've been self-righteous and the Holy Spirit brought me down. I've been judgmental and the Holy Spirit stopped me in my tracks. We work out our Salvation with fear and trembling.

It helps to pray the prayer "Heavenly Father, show me my faults so I can be a better person. Reveal to me any sin left in me because I only want to please you. Increase my faith. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. If I need to deal with anything in my life make it known to me." The Holy Spirit purifies and refines us. The Lord takes us just as we are and the Holy Spirit teaches us all things. You get to where you hate sin because you know it is not pleasing to God. All you want to do is please the Lord. You love all people because you love the Lord so much and Jesus said to love them.

I'm not where I should be, but I'm certainly not where I use to be. I read the Bible everyday because I love the Lord and His Word very much. I pray before meals because it trains my grandchildren and it is a good habit to thank God for his provision of food. I pray throughout the day because it makes me feel closer to the Lord.

Don't follow their path, follow Jesus. Jesus is our example. Church folks would have ran me off years ago. I got into the Word of God and loved my Heavenly Father. A relationship with Jesus is like no other relationship because Jesus is like no other person. He changed my heart and gave me hope. He is the Father that I never had. He is the love that no human could fill. Just because I know, He loves me, makes all the difference in the world. And in His presence, we all change. The Holy Spirit opens doors that I couldn't open. He finds parking spots up front. He quickens time, so long trips are short. He refreshes my body; puts words in my mouth and brings Bible verses to my memory. He answers prayers. He speaks to me. I know His voice. One word from the Lord and you hunger to hear His voice again.

Answer 5

The thing that turns so many away these days from following our LORD Jesus are the people you just mentioned. But what separates the true believers and followers of Christ is what's in their heart, and you will see the difference and know the truth. I pray for you now not to give up on studying the Bible and praying, and giving thanks to our Father in Heaven for what He has blessed us with. You have a discerning spirit and you know the truth. Be a blessing to God and obey Him in all you do, then others will take notice of what a real follower of Christ is. May the LORD guide you and strengthen you to follow Him always, then you will truly be "that light on a hill."

Answer 6

No. When people get saved, God begins a work in their lives. Most of us have a lot of bad habits, unless we get saved as children. Some of the people you describe may not actually be Christians, just claiming to be. Going to church does not make anyone a Christian. Repenting of sin, trusting in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection as payment for our sins and following Him are the marks of a real Christian. Don't let people turn you away from the Lord. That's a good trick of the devil. He gets people mad at Christians to keep them from being saved. P.S. I tip 20%.

Answer 7

I'm a Christian. I will tell you straight off that Christians are some of the rudest, hypocritical, and back-stabbing people you will ever come across.

I *hate* that there are Christians (or at least, people who call themselves "Christians") who act like this. This is why Christians have such a bad reputation.

I guess people think as long as they say they are Christians, they can get away with whatever they want.

I hope I'm never like that.

Answer 8

I have noticed this!
A lot of Christians are too self-righteous.
Jesus often pointed to the religious ones
who led people astray, actually!
I am a Christian but have a difficult
time connecting with many that go to church!
I have seen some great Christians, though!

Answer 9

Actually, a Christian's job is to be judgemental BUT only of people who belong to the church. In no way whatsoever should a Christian judge one who is not apart of the church. It says this in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 (the apostle Paul is talking).

"It isn't my responsibility ti judge outsiders, but it certaily is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside."

Answer 10

It is through Baptism that we are "born again" (or "born from above") of "water and of the Spirit" (John 3:3-5). Read the entire chapter of John 3 which speaks of being "born again" and please note that it is all about Baptism. Despite what some Protestants believe, being "born again" doesn't mean "having an emotional high" or "making a decision for Christ," though these are fine and good, the latter being necessary after the age of reason; being "born again" very clearly refers to Baptism of water and of the Spirit. This regeneration of water and Spirit is necessary to enter the Kingdom of God:

John 3:3-5
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God Source(s) Catholic