Starting Points

I am reading the book The Reason for God by Timothy Keller and find it very interesting and is helping me see things differently. In one chapter he talks about how people view the church and what can put people off about Christianity. One of the things he talks about is character flaws in Christians. How many of us know someone who isn't a believer and is a better and more moral person than a believer you know? You've been to churches where there is pettiness and lying and people aren't gracious and welcoming. The thing we all have to remember is that just because someone goes to church doesn't mean he's perfect. We go to church to better ourselves and learn. We aren't all in the same place when we become Christians.

We reach out to God when we're struggling and in need of help. Who's more likely to reach for God: the person who was raised in a loving, safe family and social environment and never had anything bad happen to her or the person who was raised by a single mother and turned to drugs and alcohol because that's what her mom did? Who's more likely to see their need for a God? One of the girls is well adjusted, confident, smart and the other is burdened with deep insecurities, lack of self-confidence, addition and uncontrolled anger. The girl that has deep issues has accepted Christ but she is starting her walk with God in a very dark place. She has a lot of growing and learning to do. You end up meeting both girls and the one is doing great in life without God and the other one who has God is struggling. Do you think some people would think "What's the point of becoming a Christian? The one girl has a great life without God while the other one is struggling and has anger issues." The thing you have to understand though is how far has that girl come since she accepted Christ. She may not be perfect but her life is slowly getting better. You can't judge someone when you don't know where there journey started.

The rule of Christianity isn't that you come to God when you have your life cleaned up in order to merit God's presence. You come to God just as you are and He will transform you and make you into the person you can and will be. Since this is the case then, the church will be filled with people who are broken and immature and still have a long way to go emotionally, morally and spiritually. There's a saying, "The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.

God used many not perfect people in the Bible to accomplish his goals; Moses, David, Rahab and Jonah are just a few. You don't have to be perfect for God to work in your life, you just have to be willing and have an open heart.

I know God has worked in my heart since I accepted Christ. I am a much more loving person and I try my best not to judge. I know we all need love and acceptance to grow and learn. I give people the benefit of the doubt and I forgive easier. I accept people for who they are. I am truly a much better person. If you saw where I started and where I am now you'd see what effect God can have on you and your heart.