Sunday

Does Being A Christian Hurt?


And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend… Matthew 26:49, 50a
If you stay around a church or Christians very long you will feel some pain. There will be someone who will betray your trust, treat you with disdain, explode in anger during a meeting, or hurt you in some other way. There are many Christians who no longer attend church for just this reason. They don’t want to be hurt anymore. Believe me, I understand. I mean it... I do understand, I've been hurt too.
Those who continue to attend and serve, but have not dealt with their pain, often fear the vulnerability that close relationships bring. This contributes to the pseudo-friendliness that plagues so many churches. We smile and greet, but go no deeper in our fellowship.
I think this struggle in the Christian life is one of the main purposes for the recorded history of Judas Iscariot. He was on the team, in the group closest to Jesus, and he betrayed him with a kiss. Only a friend, someone you’ve let near you, can betray with a kiss.


But Jesus knew what Judas would do to Him… yet He let him near, and treated him like the rest of His inner circle. We are taught by this that mercy is always scandalous, risky, and unthinkable to most the world. But mercy is what Christianity is all about. If Jesus had dropped out after being betrayed we would have no salvation.
Jesus was betrayed, and His followers shall experience betrayal too. But we must not stop loving. We must trust Him, and be merciful, which makes us vulnerable. He was betrayed for (and by) us. If you've been hurt, think of Jesus and keep going. If you've dropped out of church, and fear being hurt again, why not ask God to help you, try to forgive and forget, and head to church this Sunday.

4 comments:

  1. This was very truthful Bro .Larry ...we must keep on loving all no matter who does what ....God is our answer ...Kill the root of bitterness before it takes you where you do not want to go ...

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  2. This is some strong stuff, keep on preeching! Jesus loves you always and forever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  3. My Site (click to edit)March 28, 2010 at 10:29 AM

    I had never considered Judas in light of the way that you described him. A wonderful post. May our brothers and sisters who have been hurt by the church return.

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  4. In theory, we died the day we embraced Jesus Christ (Gal 2:20). No one can hurt us if we're dead, right? Excellent post! thank you...

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