There was a broken man, in desperate need of God. A stranger approached the man and asked if he knew God. The man said he did once, but because of how some other believers treated him, it turned him away from God. He thought, how can God be real if these people are so unkind. This is not an unfamiliar scenario. It’s one that happens all too frequently. There are many people that once believed in God, yet not fully strong enough, yet, in their faith, so turned away from it. The ones that played a big role with them leaving the church, putting down their Bibles and walking away from God, we’re the ones that should have helped them with their walk with God. The pretentious, the do no wrong and those that were unwelcoming and unkind. The Christians with the title, but not filled with the Spirit. The ones with the words, but not the walk. The ones that found no fault in their own ways, but many a fault in another. Friend, Jesus sat with the broken, He washed the feet of the prostitute, He died for us all, sinners. We can’t walk around holier than thou, thinking we’re better and be dismissive for people on a different faith walk than our own. May we show love, compassion and kindness. We don’t have to support or condone sin, but we do need to love. We also need to recognize our brokenness and need for God. In doing so, also help others in their walk with God. In whatever way God calls us. May we not be the reason people turn away from Christianity, because they couldn’t see Christ in our actions. May we not misrepresent God and His love.

Erin Fitts-Brower 

1 Corinthians 11:1 NIV

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

Philippians 2:5-8 NIV

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Psalm 139:23-24 NIV

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.