Stereotypes and doctrines/beliefs, especially imbalanced ones are things we deal with everyday, not just in the Christian faith, but in other aspects of society as well.
There are generally a lot of (wrong) conceptions about Christianity, sometimes, by we believers ourselves.
It has been a bother for a while, and as much as I wish everyone can have a reorientation, I can only do so much by rendering my little quota. I pray the Spirit of God guides you into all truth even as you go through this and subsequently search Scriptures for yourself.
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Almost a month back, I watched a drama ministration. I enjoyed it totally— laughing in the right places, taken by surprise in others, and generally felt this gush of emotion. The dramatists were excellent, the message was beautiful and clearly passed, BUT (and it’s a big one) it was cliché. A stereotype.
Now, in this drama, there were two college friends, both females. One was a believer (let’s call her Ai), the other was not (and let’s call her Bee). Bee never wanted to have any conversation with the name ‘Jesus’ in it. Whenever Ai brought up a conversation leading towards that direction, she always walked out or shut her up.
What Ai so wanted, was for her friend, Bee, to stop her life of prostitution and to embrace the Cross.
Here’s where it got interesting and of course, stereotyped. Ai was always broke, borrowing from and living off Bee’s ‘hardwork’, yet, she always came to preach, telling her of the goodness and provision of God. The irony right?
The rest of the ministration isn’t my focus right now, although it ended on a ‘happily-ever-after’ note. (I’m sure you get the gist).
While watching, I had a lot of questions to ask, I felt so angry at this cliché, but most important of all, I felt pained— at this common stereotype and misconception. At a realization that indeed, some of we believers do not show the Jesus we preach.
“Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically], just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually].”
3 John 1:2 AMP
“The blessing of the Lord brings [true] riches, And He adds no sorrow to it [for it comes as a blessing from God].”
Proverbs 10:22 AMP
These Scriptures and the many others like it are proof that we are getting it wrong somewhere.
If, my dear, you believe that you need to be in poverty to “hang out with Jesus” (as Pastor Chris Delvan phrases it), then you are absolutely wrong. And it’s about time you let go of that thought.
While preaching Jesus, let your life first be an example. You don’t preach by your words alone, but by your actions and life.
In a conversation with someone, he said “atheists are the ‘unbelievers’ that we believers created.” It took me a little while before I really understood what he meant and my conclusion was drawn; how can you prove Jesus is real and is really all you say He is if your own life is not a testimony to witness it?
So, while you’re working at tearing down some of the lies you have believed, also work at preaching an alive gospel.
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What are your thoughts about this? Do leave a comment below. Or, you could still contact me for more convo on this. I’m looking forward to it.
Cheers to steady growth.
Sending love and light your way,
Zoey.
Zoey 