I wasn’t quite ready for the floodgates to be opened when I posted a question a couple weeks back. It was in (click me—>this post<—click me) where I asked, “What is it that drives you nuts about these people who claim to follow this Jesus?” The response was more than overwhelming…it was downright crazy.
The comments just kept coming in and at this point there are over 150. A few more are trickling in each day and we can quickly figure out that this is something very close to a lot of people.
Before I say anything else I would like to say I’m sorry. I’m sorry for all the people who have reflected Jesus so poorly to you. I’m especially sorry that I so often poorly reflect Jesus. To ask forgiveness for such an enormous lot of transgressions would be very fisher-price of me. So I’m not going to. I can only ask forgiveness for myself and my own judgment and nastiness. It’s a fine line to walk this walk and a much easier path to simply talk the talk. I am truly sorry for the times I have failed to walk the talk.
My hope and prayer is that you would find Jesus to be the beautiful Savior that He is. I also pray that from now on we Christians would spend our time making up for lost ground. That we would be transformed by the renewing of our minds into creatures that naturally offer love, hope, and grace to those who so desperately need it.
You are not the judge. You are not the jury. Stop trying to be them.
I gave a message at Vineyard Westside on Saturday night and Sunday morning called “(un)transformed”. I used several of your comments in that message and I invited the people who call themselves Christians to stop talking about it…and be about it.
click me—> Feel free to listen to that message here if you’re interested. <—click me
You can also listen on iTunes by clicking—->HERE. If that doesn’t work, just search for Vineyard Westside in your iTunes and our podcast will show up…you can listen online each week if you like.
I would like to say thank you to the readers of this blog. You are an exciting group of people to be on this journey with. I appreciate your different perspectives and please know that I read them all. Today I say grace and peace to all of you.
Love Wins,
Ryan
21 Comments
I think you pose very good questions and make us think. If someone benefits by getting something off their chest they may be better for it. Sharing experiences and opinions connects us. And like you, I am sorry for the commenters who have had Jesus portrayed to them negatively. Our God is a God of love, grace and forgiveness and He is for EVERYONE! Thanks Ryan, for reminding us of this.
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Yes! We are not the judge or jury . . . or the accuser! And once saved, we’re no longer the defendant, praise God! We’re forgiven and set free - let’s help others find forgiveness and freedom too!
Thanks Ryan!
Love Wins,
Dyan
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I just hopped on over to iTunes to download the sermon and noticed that some of the sermons are marked “clean” and some are not. What’s up with that?
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@ Holly - I’d tell you…but it would be dirty.
Kidding…I’m not sure honestly. I’ve never noticed that. Maybe it will make people click on them more because they think they’re doing something bad.
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Your post reminds me of an excerpt from one of Donald Miller’s books (Through Painted Deserts maybe). I wonder if you’re in to his books, and if not, I think you would be.
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RE: Dirty Sermons. Must have been the one that made the old couple get up and walk out. You know the one…
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In truth, we can judge other Christians for not being what we think a christian should be, but we really “can’t” judge. I have judged a lot. I try not to but sometimes in moments when I’m not as aware as I should be I judge. What happens is the very finger I’m pointing with ends up pointing back at me because we are all human and we all make mistakes no matter how well we are serving. When I judge I find myself being convicted of something even more pressing that I need to work on myself. It’s a funny, enlightening, continous circle of learning. And it’s a beautiful, beautiful thing.
Ain’t life grand.
I’m off to listen to your sermon now.
Have a great day!
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I appreciate that you seem to really live: Love Wins!
Good job Pastor Ryan!
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Ryan, this post by you is O’ so humbling to me. I’ve found myself in situations that I have to ask for forgiveness of my attitude. My post for today kind of goes along with your post here. I love how God ties it all together and speaks to our hearts. I’ll listen to your podcast. I always enjoy listening to you. God’s using you in a mighty way! Praise to HIM on high!
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I’ve decided to cut back on my judging. From now on I am going to focus all of my judging energy on judging you.
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I think one of the reasons I enjoy your blog so much is how thoughtful it is…and how in turn I reflect. It makes me a better person. So thank you.
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Ryan is absolutely right. We have no right to judge others and write them off as “lost.” For if we do, Whether Christian or not, we are guilty of much more than condemning other. We are guilty of condemning ourselves.
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In truth, while my comments might have seemed a judgmental assault, it was really self-defense. Every Christian I have ever encountered (including you) has bitten off a piece of my soul. If just one would keep their word…If just one would seek to understand the battle instead of condemning me for having scars…If just one would shut up and act…maybe my fear would lessen.
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I’ve been to several churches and not found the one for me. I’ve tried & tried and quite frankly gave up. I LOVE being able to listen to your podcast. Thank you…
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Hey Ryan… have you heard this song by Chris Tomlin yet? I only just discovered it (being totally not the cool kid) but I loved it! It’s called “God of This City”.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=d61LamkXfwk
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I posted anonymously before, and part of me wishes I hadn’t. In truth, even in the shadows of the internet I was afraid of being judged. You sent me a reply by email, and it made my cry all over again, but they were much happier tears. Thank you for caring.
To know you actually read all 150 comments, even those last two, is comforting. Your sermon as a whole in response to the answers given your plea was… insightful. Ryan, thank you for the link to your sermon, and also thank you in general, your blog always makes the day a bit better, even when the topics may not be entirely upbeat.
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I listened to your sermon … you know, I read many of the comments as they were coming in, but it was different listening to someone read them and put a voice to them. It just made me feel sad. It stinks that so many people have had bad experiences in church or with Christians. And I feel bad about being part of the problem. I’ve been wrestling with God over some things, and I know I reflect that more than I reflect who Jesus is.
Ryan, I’m glad I have a place through your blog to “hang out” without feeling like I have like I have to have it together or have it all figured out. Wish I could find a church like that in my neck of the woods …
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Ryan -
Thanks for your initial question and letting us vent. I know that Jesus lives in all of us but we all are not Jesus. We all fall. I put too much stock in our pastor and leaders - more than I should. They have a huge task and are always in the spotlight. I do miss being close to them as friends and have no idea why we aren’t friends anymore. My relationship with Jesus is not based on their behaviors but it makes me uncomfortable going to church. I want to enjoy church.
I think for most people, it is scary to get close to people at church (fellowship). There is the fear of being judged by others for our human frailties. I am judging my minister and others too. It makes for a double edged sword. Being open and loving may cause being judged and persecuted. Hopefully we can trudge through this difficult life, love each other and let go of judgement, and do His will as much as possible.
I’ve heard it said “God did not promise us a smooth flight but He did promise a safe landing.”
Thanks for your blog and all you do!
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Ryan, God bless you.
This is such a hard topic, Thank You for approaching it, for listening to us, for meeting it face on. I feel a little guilty for having sounded so negative. I’m grateful for having had the chance to say it but, officially, I’m sorry.
Jesus wins! Can you tell I have a hard time saying Love wins? because, how do we define love then? the general idea has failed me a few times…if we go and define love like Corinthians 13 - then in what capacity does it win?
I have a favorite verse that comforts me though:
Psalm 85:10 “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.”
It seems achieving both is in the will of God and is going to happen! How beautiful….
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Thank you Ryan, for your honesty.
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My ‘net’s being cruddy and won’t let me listen. Is there a transcript anywhere? Or your notes?
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