Being a Christian can feel like living under a microscope. People often have high expectations, thinking that being a follower of Christ means you must be perfect. While Christianity is indeed a privilege, it also comes with challenges, especially when others place unrealistic standards on your behavior.
The Privilege of Being a Christian
Being a Christian is a great privilege. Why? Because as believers, we are given the opportunity to reflect the character of Christ in our daily lives. We have the privilege of being God’s hands and feet here on earth, representing His love, mercy, and grace to those around us. It’s a privilege to be used by God to spread His Word and to be a living testimony of His goodness.
Galatians 2:20 reminds us, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This means that the life we now live as Christians is not our own—it’s a reflection of Christ living in us. Every day, we are called to model His character and demonstrate His love.
The Challenge of Being a Christian
However, being a Christian is also a challenge. Many people tend to put Christians on a pedestal, expecting them to be perfect in every way. They think that once you’re a Christian, you should never get angry, never feel offended, and never make mistakes. But the truth is, Christians are still human. We have emotions, we struggle, and we face temptations just like anyone else.
Common Misconceptions About Christians:
- “Christians should always be calm.”
People expect Christians to always stay quiet and soft-spoken, even in difficult situations. But the truth is, Christians can get angry too. Jesus Himself showed righteous anger when He cleared the temple (John 2:13-16). Yet, through God’s grace, Christians learn to manage and control their anger, not letting it turn into sin. - “Christians should never be offended.”
It’s often assumed that Christians should never feel hurt or offended. However, Christians are not immune to pain. We experience disappointment and offense just like anyone else. The difference is, through God’s grace, we choose to forgive and let go, following Christ’s example of forgiveness. - “Christians should be perfect.”
There is a misconception that Christians should live flawless lives, free of mistakes and failures. But the reality is, we all fall short. Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” What sets Christians apart is not perfection, but the understanding that our strength comes from God, and our imperfections are covered by His grace.
Christians are Human, But God’s Grace is Sufficient
Yes, Christians get offended, angry, and tired. But by God’s grace, we choose to respond differently.
- Christians get offended, but we choose to forgive just as Christ forgave us.
- Christians get angry, but we strive to control our emotions through the Holy Spirit.
- Christians get tired, but we find strength in Christ, trusting Him to renew us day by day.
Just like everyone else, Christians face challenges, disappointments, and temptations. But it’s God’s grace that empowers us to rise above these struggles and live out our faith. We rely not on our own strength but on the power of Christ working in us.
Living by Faith, Not by Perfection
The pressure to be a “perfect” Christian can be overwhelming. However, we are reminded in Galatians 2:20 that it is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives in us. This means that while we may stumble and fall, Christ’s life in us sustains us and helps us to keep going.
We are not called to be perfect; we are called to live by faith. When our flesh fails, God’s grace is there to carry us through. We don’t rely on our own efforts to be flawless; instead, we trust in Christ’s finished work on the cross. His grace is sufficient, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
God’s Grace Never Fails
Though we might fail at times, God never fails us. We can rest in the assurance that His love, grace, and mercy will always be available to us. As we walk through the ups and downs of life, we can trust in Him to guide us, mold us, and help us grow.
When people say, “Aren’t you a Christian? Why do you act that way?” we can respond, “Yes, I am a Christian, and I’m a work in progress. By God’s grace, I am growing every day, learning to reflect the character of Christ more and more.”
Let’s continue to live by faith and remember that it is Christ who lives in us. We may face the pressure of people’s expectations, but God’s grace is sufficient for us in every situation. We are not perfect, but we are being perfected daily by His love and grace.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20
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