Dear Super Christian,
I type this as a struggling Christian. One who struggles with lust, depression, identity, bitterness, anger, etc. When I wake up most days, the thing I probably want to do the least is get in the scriptures. I know the scriptures give me life in the long run but sometimes it just doesn't seem relevant to the day. The church, although I know is supposed to be a hospital for the broken, seems like a museum for the marvelous. Sculptures crafted together in perfect fashion to show the world how broken it is and how well put together the church is. This is not my condemnation. I don't have that right. This is my observation.
I tend to gravitate toward the crowd not really part of a church. Those people that the church may view as unredeemable. Those people that the church may view as sinners. But maybe I gravitate toward them because they are edgy and authentic, not smooth and religious. I think I'm more sinner than saint but Jesus didn't come to save saints.
Mark 2:15-17 says: “And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.””
Those seen as sick. Those people I tend to gravitate towards. These are the people Jesus have come to save and redeem. So I get it.. Church is good. Preaching is good. Community is good. Scripture is good. All these things God uses to reach and teach people. But when spiritual arrogance becomes what drives us a Christians we can never reach people. At the same time, this creates the illusion of sub groups of Christians. In essence, destroying the very thing Jesus died for.
We need more humility. I need more humility. We need Jesus. I need Jesus. We are rebels being made righteous by a king.
Sincerely,
A struggling Christian
