Wow, how powerful is this title? How did you mentally respond to that title?
“Church is where I found God, but it’s also where I learned to judge.”
This statement is a lyric to a growing artist called NF (who doesn’t label himself as Christian). His music rejects rappers’ negative lyrics yet remains brutally honest. For example, in his piece “Statement,” he says, “I grew up on Eminem, now look where the game’s at… Lame raps, Hollywood fame acts, I’m sick of the same trash.”
I wanted to write on this topic because this is a brutally true statement for many, including myself. Over the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to travel all over the country for my job. During that time, I’ve encountered many Christians and non-Christians, but one thing nearly always remains the same: No one has an issue with Jesus. Their issue is ALWAYS the church or the people in the church.
Before I get further, let me clearly state that I am NOT AGAINST THE CHURCH and believe God has created the concept of the church to grow and establish Christians.
During my high school years, I was on FIRE for theology and religion (only later learning I prioritized those over Jesus). I was constantly studying, learning, getting involved in everything I could, and being the “good Christian kid.” I was teaching Sunday School, leading our Christian group in the high school, and pretending like I was a good kid. Somewhere in the process of going to church, I picked up the habit of judging and looking down on others who didn’t believe like me.
I went through life with the thought that they were wrong for doing X, Y, and Z. This is a ridiculous view, but I never saw or witnessed the church doing anything other than talking down on these people. It wasn’t until my Junior year of high school that I caught what the true church looked like, and it came through Young Life.
While sitting at one of our events, I remember a leader going outside to talk with a student who wanted to smoke. There was no ridicule or judgment but only love. Love sat beside this student, asked about their life, and got to know them. My immediate thought was, “How dare they do that here?” But that isn’t God’s reaction, and I’m so thankful I’ve realized that.
It boils down to this: Don’t tell people what to do if they don’t believe what you believe. Don’t tell someone to stop being gay or trans; stop telling people they’re wrong because they believe in abortion. It’s not my job to judge, yet that is what many of us have been taught. I became friends with all those people above. I don’t tell them it’s wrong; they will eventually learn my views and can witness my lifestyle. Then, we can lead them to Jesus in that space and let HIM deal with that person. Wouldn’t you agree that it’s more important for someone to know Christ than for them to stop the actions you deem as wrong?
So here’s my challenge, find people around you doing things differently than you and simply love them for who they are right then. After all, isn’t that what Jesus did for you? “While you were still a sinner, Christ died for you.”