Hope.....Even When We are Misjudged

Usually it is Christians who have the reputation of being judgmental. Jesus knew we would be tempted. That is why He warned us: "Do not judge or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Matthew 7:1-2)

Often other people who don't share our beliefs about God and Jesus misjudge Christians either by what others who claim Christianity do, or by preconceived ideas of what Christians believe. It's hard to take when someone is angrily denouncing all Christians over the actions of a few, or the rumors of the actions of a few or many.
For one thing, any Christian who claims to have no sin....fails to walk in truth. I John 1:8 says: "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

I haven't met too many Christians who "claim to be without sin". If a person truly believed herself to be "without sin" the blood of Christ would be without meaning in her life, not unlike in the lives of atheists. I have met people who seem to think that Christians are fair game for their ridicule and hateful judgments. There is nothing more annoying than someone spouting off hatred for all Christians in a torrent of bitter complaints about the injustice done to mankind without knowing the first thing about the life or practices of the person standing before him. What if every atheist was blamed for the abhorrent actions of a few? Not every atheist is a Communist, although Communists are generally atheists. How many murders were done in the name of Communism, and just how fair would it be to blame all atheists for the atrocities of the KGB?

So where is the hope in all of this self-righteousness and judgment by mankind? There is hope for the sinner who knows he is a sinner: I John 1:9 says,"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." It really doesn't matter whether or not we believe the Bible or whether we believe we are sinners, there is a truth out there, and that is: "ALL sin and fall short of the glory of God.".

If you are an atheist...a person who rejects all religious belief...who has been wounded by the sins of Christians, I am sorry. Know that we have also hurt one another by our judgments. If you are a Christian hurt by other Christians' judgments, it might help to think about times you have misjudged and hurt others yourself. If you are a Christian...a follower of Jesus Christ...who truly has a love for people like He did, and if you have been accused, tried and convicted by those who choose not to understand, then cheer up, because: "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Jesus died for all.