How Will Other People Know We're Christians?

Larry Lyon

As of Sunday, August 12, 2012

This is excerpted from a sermon preached a week ago by the author, who is pastor of West End Presbyterian Church. The sermon text was Ephesians 4:1-16.

By Larry Lyon

Special to The Pilot

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells us not to worry. He does. He says things like, do not worry about your life, what you eat or what you will drink, and do not worry about tomorrow.

And so I take that seriously, I take it to heart, I seek not to worry. And honestly, I am fairly good at that. I think I worry less than most people. I may be in the 90th percentile of nonworriers.

And yet, while maybe I don’t have many worries, I do have a few, say, “concerns.” There you go — that’s a better word, “concerns.” It’s a much better word than “worries,” or even “anxieties.”

Here is one of my concerns: I am concerned about the perception of Christians in America.

In the world for which I will forever hope, and dream, about, and never give up on, the non-Christians in America, be they unchurched or of another faith tradition, would look at Christians and think to themselves, “Those Christians are some loving people. Those Christians do good things in this country. Those Christians work for justice and for peace and feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Those Christians seem to have an inner peace that passes all understanding. They are welcoming people who practice radical — yes, radical — hospitality.”

In short, they would think to themselves, “We know they are Christians — by their love.”

That is my dream world.

My reality world, however, has a concern. Now you and I are Christians, and we know the good that Christians do. But for a moment I want you to imagine yourself a non-Christian, on the outside looking in at the church, and I want you to think about the way you might perceive Christians if reliant only on what you see and what you read.

You see, my concern is this: Those who are unchurched, those who didn’t grow up in the church, those whose mamas and papas never took them to church, those who have never read the Gospels, and about who Jesus was and what he taught and what he did, might look upon Christians and think this:

“Christians seem judgmental. They might even seem angry. They seem more interested in denying people rights than in fighting for rights. They will line up in droves to buy chicken sandwiches to stand up for their beliefs, but when it comes to feeding the hungry, they assign that as a good project for their youth groups.

“Christians seem self-righteous. They seem far more interested in thumping their Bibles and quoting from Leviticus than they do in living out the two commandments of the very Lord they proclaim: Love God, love neighbor.”

That is my concern, that the world out there perceives Christians by almost anything but by their sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

In the end, I am not going to worry about this, because I know this, and all of life, is in the hands of a loving God. I don’t know where the world is going sometimes, but I believe, yes, it is God’s hands, not Larry’s, and in the end, yes, it will be all right. It will be.

And so we come to today’s passage, contained in a letter to the people of Ephesus, written nearly 2,000 years ago, perhaps by the Apostle Paul, perhaps by somebody else whose feet were firmly planted in the Pauline camp. These first six verses from the fourth chapter — well, to me, they read like a mission statement for us, for all of us who say we love Jesus.

It begins with “I therefore beg you.” That is a powerful verb, to beg. Some of us like to think of our ourselves as too mighty and powerful and strong to ever beg. We are too proud to beg. But apparently the writer of these verses is more like that old song of the Temptations, the one titled “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.”

This writer is begging, and what he is begging for? For the readers of this letter to lead a life worthy of the calling to which they have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.

Oh my. Humility. Gentleness. Patience. Who knew? Those are the traits that should define Christians?

We might think patience is for those people willing to sit at the Traffic Circle while the rest of us hunt for a shortcut that might save us, say, 17.39 seconds. We might think gentleness is for those “turn-the-other-cheek” weirdos. And humility?

I don’t know. Maybe it is just me. But when we Christians seem to have all the answers, seem to want to tell their world, “Believe my way or hit the highway,” or even worse, go to the opposite of heaven, when we Christians seem to thirst for certainty and absolutes more than we thirst for justice and for righteousness to flow like an ever-flowing stream, it seems to me like we may be checking our humility at the door.

Certainty vs. Truth

This morning, I will give you three quotes from the late William Sloane Coffin, who once was pastor of Riverside Church in New York City and also once served as chaplain of both Yale University and Williams College. The first quote reminds us that perhaps we ought to value, say, compassion, more than, say, absolutes.

Coffin writes:

“There are those who prefer certainty to truth, those in church who put the purity of dogma ahead of the integrity of love, and what distortion of the Gospel it is to have limited sympathies and unlimited certainties, when the very reverse, to have limited certainties and unlimited sympathies, is not only more tolerant but far more Christian.”

That phrase, the integrity of love, is what stands out. The writer of Ephesians writes that we are to bear with one another in love, and he writes of building this body, the body of Christ, of building itself up in love.

Love is the priority, love is what defines us, and growing love is our business. We love the other so much that unity is where we dwell, for we are one in the Spirit, one in our baptisms, one in our Lord, the Lord Jesus, the Lord of love.

Coffin, again, writes:

“In the sight of Christ, there are no insiders and outsiders, for we are finally of one nature and one flesh and one grief and one hope. And, in Christ’s sight, if we fail in love, we fail in all things else.”

‘Climate of Acceptance’

We can have the greatest stewardship season ever, friends, and here it is, August, and you can expect to hear that word more, soon. We can have the biggest Bible school in the community, we can have the most fantastic, sensational, awesome youth programs ever, we can fill up our pews and we can erase all of our debt, but you know what? If we, we Christians, fail at love, we have failed in all things.

All of those successes do not matter, if we have failed at love itself.

I receive a document in the mail, from what I would call some “anxious Presbyterians,” even though anxious Presbyterians should be an oxymoron if we truly believe God is in control of the universe. The free newsletter is called “Theology Matters.” I can’t seem to get off the darn mailing list. Of course theology matters. I, too, believe that, big time, but love matters more. Love matters far more. Send me that publication, anxious Presbyterians, the one you call “Love Matters.”

I close with a third and final quote from William Sloane Coffin:

“Church is where all hearts are one so that nothing else has to be one. Church is where there is such a climate of acceptance that each of us can be his or her unique self. Church is where we learn to be free, strong and mature by sharing with one another our continued bondage, weakness, and immaturity. Church is where we so love one another that it becomes bearable to live as solitaries.”

That is the church of Jesus Christ that I so long for those out there to see, and to experience, and to one day, embrace.

And when it happens, I will have one less concern.

More like this story

getreal 9 months, 2 weeks ago

When I saw the heading for this sermon, I rolled my eyes and debated whether or not I wanted to read it. I am so glad I decided to take the time. This is a beautiful letter and states many things I personally felt about religion all of my life. I grew up in a very religious neighborhood with many Catholic families, most of them very close and dear friends. My experiences with other children and families in school and around town were less than inspiring. I would see children leave their church still dressed their best clothes and watch them taunt and verbally torture anyone who was different from them or had different beliefs. I learned the word hypocrite at a very young age. This sermon/letter is something I think they should have been taught, instead of what was passed on to them from their parents and peers and religious leaders. I guess an old dog can learn new tricks and this has really made me rethink what I thought was taught in Church and what TRUE Christians follow and practice in the name of their God. If only this was the mind set of everyone who believes in God and have learned to love thy neighbor. Thank you, Pastor Lyon, there is still hope for peaceful coexistence in the world today. I hope others out there will take your words to heart and rethink their detrimental ways.

Matt_Woodruff 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Isn't the whole Chikfila situation a perfect example of "putting the purity of dogma ahead of the integrity of love"? Unlimited sympathy? Hardly.

dustyrhoades 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Reverend Lyon, that was very well said. I wish some of the hateful people calling themselves "Christians" would read it and take it to heart. As it is, they drive people away from the very idea of Christianity. I know I wouldn't darken the door of any church they belong to. Thanks for telling it like it is.

CC85 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Best article I've read in ages about Christianity. Thank you.

nothingspecial 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Such important words Pastor Lyon. It takes incredible help from the holy spirit and discipline to love daily as you say. We live in a world that is increasingly on the attack of anything that might be perceived as not fully accepting or even celebrating anything anyone wants to do. Christians need your wisdom and to not worry if they cannot make everyone happy, but should do their best to do so.

BeachGirl 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Beautifully put, thank you!

greentara13 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Imagine all the people living in peace......

Sean 9 months, 2 weeks ago

It is unfortunate that your concerns are well founded. The word “Christian” carries an aura of negativity. It is too often worn as a badge of pride: pride, rage, and righteousness are the normal course in the material world. Humility, gentleness, patience and peace are of the spiritual world. The Bhagavad-Gita instructs us that, “In the material world every living entity is fallible.” The Gospel tells us that the path to greatness in the glory of God is humility. The message is the same.

moonchild7 9 months, 2 weeks ago

I don't like saying this Rev. Lyon but "Dream On". Jerry Falwell, the PTL Club, Pat Robertson and all of their cronies brought about such a Newer, Stricter, Conservative, Uncompromising, Shallow, Angry, and Unfeeling "Christianity" that way too many Americans bought into and thus "Changed" what Christians are really supposed to be. And The WORLD has looked at us and they laugh in disbelief at the hypocrisy. Sad, isn't it? You have written very well at what the TRUTH should be but I'm not sure anyone can turn around all the DAMAGE done to America and to REAL Christianity and Christians.Those 'Right-minded" people have distorted the words and life of Jesus and his disciples. They give HIM an arrogance and loveless personality that's in total conflict, with His words and actions. Perhaps Rev. Lyon you can help to show the world and even other Americans that the Evangelical Conservative's that have infiltrated all-over can be shown the door and True Christians can help us regain the world's respect. But it might be difficult since those evangelicals believe America is 'Extra-Special" and beholden to no one. Not even Jesus.

nothingspecial 9 months, 2 weeks ago

Moonchild7: "And The WORLD has looked at us and they laugh in disbelief at the hypocrisy."

MC7, you bring up a great question - To those who do hate us in the rest of the world, why is that?

Nations without TV or access/interest in news probably see very little of America other than Christian Missionary efforts. When you poll people who dislike us from nations with access to TV and news they universally abhor many of our liberal attitudes and excess - singers in skimpy outfits that include a cross necklace for instance. I would venture to say it is only the Europeans who feel we are prudes sexually or hypocrites. Dictators, terrorists and nations interested in more power hate our military strength.

JD 9 months, 2 weeks ago

To those who do hate us in the rest of the world, why is that?

I googled that and boy was it a lot of reading. From what I gleamed they think we are the people portrayed in action movies and we see ourselves as such. Or any Michael Bay film gives a good reason for the world to be a tad bitter.

Warning if you look it up too, avoid the yahoo answers replies. Way to trololo.

Sean 9 months, 2 weeks ago

What this has to do with the article is unclear to me, but.. From what I have read and observed, people in other parts of the world hate us because we have the belief that they must want to live as we do, (who wouldn’t), and we occasionally drop a very large military force on their sovereign territory in an effort to force them to do so.

Nezumi 9 months, 2 weeks ago

NS - I was in Asia during the whole Monica circus (fortunately) and in many parts of that side of the world they thought we were hypocritical prudes - and could not fathom why we focused so much media attention on what they expect most politicians do anyway.

MikeNC 9 months, 2 weeks ago

moonchild7 7 hours, 39 minutes ago ...I don't like saying this Rev. Lyon but "Dream On". Jerry Falwell, the PTL Club, Pat Robertson and all of their cronies brought about such a Newer, Stricter, Conservative, Uncompromising, Shallow, Angry, and Unfeeling "Christianity" that way too many Americans bought into and thus "Changed" what Christians are really supposed to be.

All that said by the same person who just recently advocated that the "Little People" just might have to start blowing up LOTS of bridges because of all the evil rich people...Imagine that; How Christian that is of you. Any reasonable or Christian value comment coming from you is now laughable...Mike

JD 9 months, 2 weeks ago

How Will Other People Know We're Christians?

When you try and make them Christian. Just be nicer about it than how you got the Indians to convert. Or Spanish.

moonchild7 9 months, 2 weeks ago

MikeNC why won't you read a few WORLD HISTORY books? The Roman Republic and then the Empire (approx 500 BC-27 AD) had a very "simple" social system. The Patricians had the money and the Plebians did not. They had issues. And didn't the Romans throw the Christians to the Lions? And then there was Constantine to "right the wrongs"? Heard about The Peasants Revolt of 1381? The French Revolution of 1789-1799? The Russian Revolution of 1917? These and many more were about the "little people/different people" versus the Rich and Powerful. I am not an advocate of blowing up lots of bridges but I also am not stupid or naive. These things happen when the poor/minorities are oppressed. It's called survival. There's also a bit of "History" regarding these sorts of things in Matthew 21 12-17: "And Jesus went into the Temple of God, and cast out all of them that sold and bought in the temple and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of them that sold doves. And said unto them, It is written, my house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a house of thieves." And last but not least, Mark 12: 38-43, "Beware of the scribes....and the chief seats...which devour widow's houses and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation." I guess Jesus can't even be called a CHRISTIAN in your world. What exactly is your world MikeNC?

Nezumi 9 months, 2 weeks ago

MC - sorry to nitpick, and not really relevant to your post, but anyway: I think you meant 27 BCE, as the end of the republic - if you tag the accession of Augustus as also the end of the republic. Some patrician families slid into poverty, but still maintained patrician status due to family background and lineage - the infamous Lucius Cornelius Sulla is an example.

nothingspecial 9 months, 1 week ago

Thanks for the clarifications up there folks and JD, loved the video!

Nezumi 9 months, 1 week ago

I second that, thanks, JD for the Monty Python. The Spanish Inquisition, and the various scenes of Life of Brian represent the best in religious humor (or satire), IMHO.

Mythreekids 9 months, 1 week ago

Great letter Pastor Lyon. Thank you for putting it so succinctly. An old Sunday School superintendant used to say, if you have Love, all else will fall into place. Thanks for the reminder.

getreal 9 months, 1 week ago

Thanks JD for the Monty Python! Their Life of Brian just about says it all. I could go on and on about the bad things about religion, but I won't. I won't because Pastor Lyon's letter was uplifting and showed how Christianity should be or could be, not how it is in this day and age. There may be hope for the Christians yet if they would take his sermon to heart. Thanks again for a beautiful letter.

Here is a better link about Christianity as Radical Welcome. Much better.

moonchild7 9 months, 1 week ago

Go ahead then Profitman.....explain it to me, since it's apparently written in "CODE". Is it a CODE that only the "EVANGELICALS" are capable of getting? What arrogance and I think that's a sin.

moonchild7 9 months, 1 week ago

I'm waiting.

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