04/21/2025
For the non-Christian or harmed by church Christian looking in, so many Christians don’t represent Jesus well, and today many Christians and non-Christians will see hypocrisy on full display.
On this foundational day for Christianity, I know the harm so many have done under the name of Jesus. As Christians, we are called to two things; love the Lord your God with all you heart, mind and soul…and love your neighbor as yourself. When we fail our neighbor, we misrepresent Christ. That’s on us. That’s human failure.
But know,
Hypocrisy isn’t Cesvs (Jesus).
Genocide isn’t Jesus.
Hate isn’t Jesus.
Misuse of power isn’t from Jesus.
Turning our eyes from our neighbor isn’t Jesus.
Slavery isn’t Jesus.
Committing and covering up abuse isn’t Jesus.
Removing provisions from the marginalized isn’t from Jesus.
Domination isn’t Jesus.
Empire is not Jesus.
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I believe there’s a difference between those who believe in Jesus and those who know Jesus. Believing in Jesus can lead to misusing and weaponizing His name. Knowing Him leads to centering loving our neighbor. Pursuing empire is the easier path. Building kingdom is the hard work of sacrifice and humility.
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Jesus challenged, encouraged, called out and called in people from every walk in this life. All humans with flaws, whether they acknowledged it or not, whether they felt they had flaws or not.
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Today is about a resurrection and I have to live my life representing my faith in Jesus Christ in the best way possible, daily. I’ll fail, get back up, and do my best to represent again.
I don’t blame people who don’t want to step into a Christian space today. So many have done a pretty bad job. Our failures are not Jesus’ example of how to live life and we need to be better at humility, grace, empathy and living out our faith.
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Mvto, Creator, Restorer, Mystery, for the resurrection.
He is risen.