Why is it so difficult for Christians to represent Jesus the way they represent everything else?
Well, there is kind of an easy answer to that, whether or not it is a good answer is a whole other thing. The standards in which society tends to now follow is everything but Christ, everything but God. And in order to keep to that decorum, it seems one would have to hide out like Peter did when the Philistines were looking and inquiring of Jesus’ circle and whereabouts. While Peter later became one of Jesus’ great Apostles, he at first, was scared to speak up before the opposition on Christ behalf.
I do believe that there was a time when representing Jesus was “cool”, even in my lifetime. However, now, it’s not so much the consensus. Many Christians are bated to dial it down a bit their reverence for our Savior in effort to avoid discomfort in places like the workspace, certain social settings, online, etc. I mean, you wouldn’t ask a devout of the practices of Islam or Judaism to tame their esteem; doing things like that can now cost you time and money through the courts. And it’s not like most Christians have a particular uniform which distinguishes us from the non-believer. These days, especially, we are all just sort of mixed in with the only thing to identify ourselves as followers of Christ is a loud mouth.
Greek organizations for instance, for the most part, have their colors and emblems which they proudly don for all to see and recognize; as if required of them to represent, right? Customs that are to be considered a sort of tribute to their letters and founders. And again, they do it proudly, almost boast-ly. And it is usually no bother to the general public when the flag of one of these frats are waved, doesn’t seem to cause any form of irritation to the onlooker, well except if that onlooker is of a dissident fraternity or sorority. Hmmmm, and even that is saying something. My Christianity is pretty much an irritant only to those who oppose it, to a fellow Christian, it should not be a problem, right?
So why is it bothersome and considered inappropriate for Christians to proclaim Christ in certain settings, why are Christians often ridiculed, condemned, or even rejected due to their outward show of affection for Christ? I mean, it shouldn’t be a problem for the greatest belief system known to mankind, the very foundation in which the United States as well as many other nations were built on, to have to hide out in the shadows to only reprise on Sundays. Especially when all these other, more recently established systems don’t have to take days off or time outs. It is all well when it comes corporate calls of prayer in times of war, famine or civil unrest, prayers for peace and togetherness; but outside of that, Christianity seems to be admonished. Again, something encouraged to be secretly uplifted, and not so public.
It’s not only amongst other believers that we are to lift up the name of our Lord, but before those who don’t know Him, especially. It’s not only in the House of God or in some tent of meeting that we are to sing His praises, but at all times and hours. The song lyrics “ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough” sung so eloquently by Marvin Gaye can help you envision maybe the depths that our love should embody as it pertains to Jesus Christ. Meaning, there should be nothing to stop us from honoring God.
Might I remind you of the scripture that says in Matthew 10:33, “But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.“
The colors and emblems of the believer comes in the form of which we are required to carry ourselves without question; how we speak, act, how we love, how we give and serve. No matter our experiences, past hurts, pains, we are obligated in fact, to take up our cross and continue on in the image of Him (Mathew 16:24-26). And if our colors don’t match, or come to be too much like that of whom opposes our Father in Heaven, then what are we, really?
