We know, it's old news. Christians are hypocrites.
First - everybody is. Very few people lead with their flaws, instead pretending to be stronger, smarter, or more stupid, than they really are.
The problem with pretending to be smarter or stronger than we really are with Christianity is that FAITH IS CONFUSING. Life is incredibly complex. Everybody is struggling with something. Nobody - NOBODY has this all figured out. We may have insight into parts, and we probably are not walking around with the same faith/ life questions we used to. So we CAN assert we have progress. But when people of faith lead with a first step of absolute certainty rather than honesty, things get hostile fast. Because it is so ostracizing to EVERYBODY, because everybody is painfully aware of their deficits with God, faith, living righteously, etc.
Asserting we 'are' righteousness is judgement with flesh on. And it is a lie.
But we CAN say we know WHO know. The answer is Jesus (of course.) I know what I read about him is incredible, His words are not like other people's words. They are truth. I want to know him more. I want to be like him more because He is so honest, so true. I want Him to love me, and the reassurance he gives that he delights in me - even as flawed as I know I am - is the most beautiful experience I have ever had in my entire life. And I want to share that.
And that is a very vulnerable, honest, not-cliche, personal thing to attempt. That IS the Gospel, the 'good news'.
What 'good news' is there in fake perfect?
First - everybody is. Very few people lead with their flaws, instead pretending to be stronger, smarter, or more stupid, than they really are.
The problem with pretending to be smarter or stronger than we really are with Christianity is that FAITH IS CONFUSING. Life is incredibly complex. Everybody is struggling with something. Nobody - NOBODY has this all figured out. We may have insight into parts, and we probably are not walking around with the same faith/ life questions we used to. So we CAN assert we have progress. But when people of faith lead with a first step of absolute certainty rather than honesty, things get hostile fast. Because it is so ostracizing to EVERYBODY, because everybody is painfully aware of their deficits with God, faith, living righteously, etc.
Asserting we 'are' righteousness is judgement with flesh on. And it is a lie.
But we CAN say we know WHO know. The answer is Jesus (of course.) I know what I read about him is incredible, His words are not like other people's words. They are truth. I want to know him more. I want to be like him more because He is so honest, so true. I want Him to love me, and the reassurance he gives that he delights in me - even as flawed as I know I am - is the most beautiful experience I have ever had in my entire life. And I want to share that.
And that is a very vulnerable, honest, not-cliche, personal thing to attempt. That IS the Gospel, the 'good news'.
What 'good news' is there in fake perfect?