Picture it. You have just gone through something that requires God’s love and forgiveness. You asked God, and of course he came through for you. But there is another problem. When you walk into your church Sunday morning, whispers and stares raise the hair on your neck. On top of that, the pastor’s entire sermon is on your sin and how you will be condemned. Believe it or not, this happens more than you think. The term “church people” has taken on a negative connotation in recent years because of situations like these. The term most commonly refers to a judgmental or close minded individual in the church who detours believers from being vulnerable. Let’s dive into different ways to navigate this scenario if you ever find yourself in this position.
“They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said ‘Allright, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’” (John 8:7 NLT). You may be familiar with the verse. A woman was caught in adultery, and the religious people closest to her demanded she be punished for her crimes by public stoning. Ultimately Jesus forgave the woman, but the lesson he taught to the bystanders is the real story in my eyes. Sure we can take this verse and apply it to the church mother that gave you the side eye for wearing a pants suit instead of a gown, or you can put yourself in the shoes of the adulteress. That’s right. When we accept the fact that we all have shortcomings, it becomes plausible that other’s views of you is an inner struggle within them that God will use as an opportunity to grow them, and grow you too. In other words, be careful to not develop a judgmental attitude toward the judgement that you are faced with. God calls us to show love despite the circumstance. Perhaps because he knew how easy it would be to treat others the way we are treated instead of the opposite. It is so important to realize that church people are just that. People. They have flaws and faults just like you and God loves them as he loves you.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 NLT). Sure “church people” may seem like a new issue when you run into it, but nothing is new under the sun. This is the same spiritual battle that nailed Jesus to the cross. And like Jesus, when facing this valley I believe a version of you will die. Think about all the tests Jesus faced, but this is the one that seemingly destroyed him. This was the trial that caused him the most pain. But it was also the test that birthed his true mission. God wants to put to death the part of you that is more loyal to people’s opinion of you, than Jesus’s mission for you. But be glad, you have a flawless example! Jesus! Even though it may feel like the condemnation and hypocrisy is killing you it’s not. Jesus allowed his death to take place because he knew it was necessary for his resurrection. “No man can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded” (John 10:18 NLT). So it’s okay, choose to sacrifice yourself, because the resurrected you will walk in newness. You will be a model to your church on how God really wants us to treat our brothers and sisters.
In the 18th chapter of Matthew, Jesus gives us a step by step guide on how to deal with offense in the church. Toward the end of the chapter Peter asked Jesus about forgiveness. Jesus told him he should forgive not seven times, but 70 times seven. Giving that the offender is rightly in the wrong and Jesus still requires forgiveness gives us an idea of how important this practice is. And because we are forgiven, like our father in heaven we must reciprocate his grace even when it feels impossible to do so. Don’t let judgement and hypocrisy turn you off to Jesus and all the fruitful gifts he has for you in his Kingdom. Together we can become a “church people” that builds up instead of tears down.
