Far from perfect

I saw a t-shirt the other day which read:

"Jesus save me... from your followers".

I think it was meant to be a joke, but it speaks of something that people do experience, something that I have experienced at times.

Jesus is known in the Bible as the Prince of Peace. So why are his followers sometimes cruel, divisive, and hurtful? God is love... so why is it that some of the most un-loving people I know have called themselves 'Christian'?

I'm sure you can think of times throughout history when people have been 'evil' in the name of God. Not all of these are quite accurate, but people have named the Crusades, slavery, the war on Iraq, and other sad things as things done in the name of Jesus.

How can this be? Does the Bible really teach that this is how people should behave?

Dear reader, if you have felt the 'wrath' of people claiming to be Christians, I sympathise with you. But please understand, these people are human, and humans are some of the most cruel, sinful people around. Know that Jesus himself would never condone cruelty, hatred, or coldness of heart. We must understand, that while Christians try (or should try) to daily become more like Jesus, many of them are still a long way off reaching that goal. I am a follower of Jesus, and though it hurts me to even think of it, I have probably hurt people in the past in ways that have done His reputation much injustice.

But let me encourage you: Look beyond the imperfect people, and see the perfect Jesus who loves both his followers and you with undying love. See the Jesus who is not like many of his followers (although I can assure you that those who are most like him are the most caring, selfless, humble people you have ever met).

I've seen Jesus as he really is, as revealed in the Bible, and since then I've come to forgive those who have done wrong to me, even if they thought they were doing what he wanted. I've come to learn to live with his followers; I even try to understand them.

I hope you will able to do the same.