Which Christianity?

Mark 9:49-50

You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other. (Mark 9:50)

A LOT OF PEOPLE REJECT Christianity without knowing exactly which Christianity they are rejecting. The problem is perception—seeing the enormous variety of Christian beliefs and practices as essentially the same. People reach back into the depths of history to blame the entire faith for the misbehaviors of certain representatives from the past: “Look at the wars Christians have started.” “See how corrupt the church has been.” “Haven’t Christians always opposed advances in knowledge?” And on and on.

The problem is bigger than painting all of Christianity with blame for exceptional mistakes. The non-Christian world tends to equate the nominal Christianity of the powerful with the undercurrent of true Christianity based on the spiritual—i.e., they confuse the institutional church with the devout church, or, as some academics express it, the Church of Power vs. the Church of Piety.^a Christian structures have long been exploited by the powerful, who often rise in position without holding true Christian beliefs. The result is a distorted faith that often turns people away from Jesus.

Your job in this world is to demonstrate the difference. Your kind of Christianity did not instigate the violence of the Crusades, come up with the devastation of colonialism, or perpetuate slavery. The two major streams of Christianity running throughout history—the power-hungry and the pious—are not the same thing. You have an opportunity to prove that to the people around you. Political commentary, a sense of superiority, and anger toward opposing opinions will not accomplish that goal. A life full of love and peace will. Know the difference, and even in expressing your opinions, remember the heart of God. His Spirit seeks not to compete with people but to draw them in.

{Holy Spirit, make me as winsome as you are. Give me the love of the Father and the favor of Jesus. May my heart, my words, and my life draw people to you. Amen.