Christians Aren't Christ

Sometimes it's tough trying to come to terms that Christians aren't Christ. That is to say, often we set our expectations of others too high; often we hope that Christians will fulfill us.  Therefore, it's somewhat easy to get disenfranchised with the church.  We need to realize, though, that the church is made up of fallen people; these same people that are supposed to lift us up... will sometimes let us down.  These same people that are supposed to meet our needs... will sometimes rob our joy.  These same people that are suppose to accept us with open arms... will sometimes hide behind closed doors.  These same people that are supposed to love us unconditionally... will sometimes shun us reprehensively.  And we have done, or will do, the same to them.  While it is still wrong, it is still reality.

 

When these same people let us down, we need to remember, "...He will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock." Psalm 27:5 (ESV).  When these same people rob our joy, we need to remember, "The meek shall obtain fresh joy in the Lord, and the poor among mankind shall exult in the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 29:19 (ESV).  When these same people hide behind closed doors, we need to remember, “For the Lord is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face. Psalm 11:7 (ESV).  When these same people shun us reprehensively, we need to remember, "...Your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness." Psalm 26:3 (ESV).

 

It all comes back to who we place our hope in.

 

Romans 5:1-5 (ESV), "Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

 

While these same people may "put us to shame" because we expect too much from them, we can never expect too much from God.

 

Hope encompasses desire. Hope requires focus. If we hope for something, we long for it. Our hope is what drives us. I admit that I struggle with this, but this minute at least, my hope is in the Lord.  Who or what is your hope in?  You see, your family isn't your hope, your job isn't your hope, your reputation isn't your hope, and finally, the church isn't your hope... those are all your gifts that the One who desires your hope has given you.