God's People

Photo Credit: Adam McCoy Photography

Bad Experiences

Most of us have bad experience with church people.  It's almost universal.  We all have stories of the old deacon who scolded us for not dressing "right" on Sunday or the mean church lady who just hated kids.  I've known others that were abused in church, often by leaders.  The deepest cuts in their lives happened in a church building.  Church people can be wicked.  

Blessings

However, church is also where I've experienced the greatest blessings.  My parents love each other and love Jesus.  They didn't ever put on a show for Sunday.  They loved Jesus all week, and we got to see it lived out in our home.  The same goes for my grandparents and a whole lot of godly people we went to church with.  People prayed for me, supported me, went out of their way to help me, and were generally awesome.  Heck!  One time a guy in my church gave me a car.  He just gave me a car to help my family.  Another time, some dude wrote me a check and lovingly told me he would kick my ass if I didn't take it.  He had heard from God.  My car broke down the next day, and that was the exact amount I needed to fix it.  

I've had more good experiences than bad in church.  God's people are good, because He is good.

Here's the problem: not all church people are God's people.  Plenty of people go to church for all the wrong reasons.  Some people think it is a place where they can build power and prestige.  Others are looking to earn something they can never earn.  Some people just go because they thing they have to, though they hate it and everyone else there.  

This creates a pretty big problem since these people who don't necessarily love Jesus are still claiming to represent Him.  It's a real problem. 

So, how do we distinguish between "Church People" and "Christ Followers" while we are trying to figure out whether or not we are going to follow Jesus?  

Characteristics of jesus Followers:

• Love.  Jesus said His disciples would be known by the fact that they love one another (John 13:35).  When a church is full of people who treat each other like crap, it means Jesus isn't being honored.  Don't waste your time trying to find Jesus there.  The Apostle Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a: "Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends."  Look for this kind of love in a church and jump in the middle of it.  Jesus is there.  
• Fruit.  When a person Trusts Jesus, God (Holy Spirit) indwells them.  God's people, the people who follow Jesus aren't just on God's team, He dwells in them.  Over time, like a tree rooted in good soil bears good fruit, so God's people bear fruit because God is in them.  In Galatians 5:22-23, the Apostle Paul describes the fruit of the Holy Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."  God's people aren't perfect, but they should be growing in things like love, joy peace, patience, etc.  Don't look for perfect people.  Look for people who are increasing this fruit. Jesus is in them.  
• Gifts.  In 1 Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul talks about how as the Holy Spirit dwells in God's people, He does things through them that they couldn't do on their own.  There are times when this is genuinely miraculous.  It isn't like the bullshit on Christian television.  The focus is never on the person; it's always on God.  However, God still does miracles through His people.  Sometimes they pray, and people are healed.  Others follow God's leading and show up at just the right time with the right word of encouragement.  God's people do things that are from God.  Even simple things can be done in the power of God, and you notice.  

Experiencing Jesus is the first step in following Him.  If you are going to Experience Jesus, it helps to make sure that you are getting around HIs people.  I hope this helps.  My desire is for you to meet Jesus.  

7 Books to Help You Decide on Jesus

Books about jesus

Following Jesus is a journey.  Before you Trust Jesus, you may have questions about Him. Here are seven books to help you on your journey:

The Gospel of John.  The bible has four comprehensive accounts of Jesus' life.  Known as "the Gospels," (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) they each address Christ's life with a different focus.  John's Gospel was written for a global audience and spread quickly throughout the known world in the First Century.  Lot's of people start here, though all of the gospels are helpful.  

The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel.  This book was written by an atheist journalist who set out to disprove Christianity, but ended up believing in Jesus.  The book provides a compelling argument for faith in Christ.  While the book is very logical, it is also easy to read.  You don't have to be a professor to follow this one, but your mind will be stretched nonetheless. 

By This Name by John R. Cross.  There are a lot of different religions and a lot of different views of God.  Cross looks into various religions, addressing why Jesus is unique, and providing an argument as to why Jesus is the Truth.  Whether you are an agnostic, pluralist, or just have questions, this book will be helpful.  

Stranger on the Road the Emmaus by John R. Cross.  This book is written for people who have had some experience with Christianity but have questions about what it all means.  Cross uses the Gospel of John as a template to explain historical backgrounds and help you understand who Jesus really is.  This is a good book to read in conjunction with the Gospel of John.  

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.  Written by one of the greatest thinkers in Christian History, this book is both beautiful and insightful.  Lewis approaches the Christian faith from a philosophical viewpoint, giving a rational argument for every major aspect of the Christian faith.  His argument for God's existence based on human morality is quite compelling.  

The Historical Jesus by Gary Habermas.  This book is written for scholars.  It addresses the historical evidence for Jesus Christ, and establishes the New Testament's account of Jesus as the most reliable documentation of any First Century person. This book as well as other books by Habermas is valuable for the thinker who wants to dig deeper into the evidence for Jesus.  

Questions of Life by Nicky Gumble.  This book is essentially the Alpha Course in written form.  Gumble's approach is both conversational and rational.  Each section answers a question, making this one of the simplest and possibly the best books on the subject.  Of course, I recommend signing up for the Alpha Course, so that you get the full experience.  The course is offered all over the world. 

Ultimately, my hope is that you Trust Jesus.  That only happens as He reveals Himself to you.  However, books and evidence can help along the way.  Are there other books that have been helpful to your process?