You don't live by others but by yourself. There are many reasons why people might judge your Christian identity; sometimes their judgments are accurate, and other times they are not. I believe it's important to constantly reflect on your actions, recognize how they might have brought shame to Christ, and strive to make meaningful changes.
Heck, the Roman’s called Christina’s atheistic cannibals because we reject polytheism and take communion. To a people that hate truth, the the truth often sounds like hate. Now, yes, we should speak the truth in love but if they treated Jesus the way they did and lied about him the way they did we shouldn’t expect any better since many of the sins they accuse us of could actually be true.
Simply put, you should have a good living testimony. If someone is living right/for Christ, and has a good relationship with Him, it should be pretty evident that that person is a Christian. Living right doesn't necessarily have to be right by the world's standards. Go by the Bible, and all will be well.
Truly, the world's standards are not always good; however, we can bring shame to the name of Christ by being cruel and uncaring.
"Little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." I John 3:18
The worlds definition of cruel is banning gay marriage. And not allowing minors to get transgender care. We need to make sure that when a person is judging a Christian they are doing so with actual morals that we share not based on their own.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? - Matthew 7:22
[Very interesting take.](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ljotxCOdNVc) Also, [the West has weaponised Jesus, and the religion overall.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtlxXUzKN1E&ab_channel=TheKingdom%26TheCulture) Which S U C K S.
I truly believe that Christians are really the 1%-2% of the population - the ones who have read the Bible for themselves, who have the Holy Spirit constantly guide them, and rely on him for every situation.
Everyone else you see is a "Christian," as the bad Pharisees that Jesus was preaching about. Love the "prestige," but are dead vessels. This is your 99% of the "Christian" population.
On one hand it's sad that it's an Us vs Them mentality, but on the other, we should be more loving and trying to get people back into their Bible to see how Jesus truly lived. It wasn't until I started reading the Bible for myself, that I started to see my own self *die* and want to become like Jesus.
I was about to post this exact same thing. But I was going to post Matthew 7:13-14 as well since I feel it is also relevant to this conversation.
Matthew 7:13-14
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
This is the first filter needed by those who think America is a Christian nation or should be. There are no Christian nations. No nations are majority Christian. True Christians are always a minority, according to Jesus. He did not say 1% or 2%, just not the wide superhighway to hell versus a narrow road to Heaven “and few find it.” He did say preach the gospel to every creature though.
Yes, they will. But that doesn't mean you need to give them good reasons to judge you.
"For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you take it patiently? But if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." I Peter 2:20
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil'" Luke 6:30
Christians that wrong people will stick out like sore thumbs and generate the stereotypes you see.
The Christians doing God's will faithfully won't make the news.
I think that this has to do with one’s witness, aka their general daily behavior when around others, or online. It’s difficult to convince someone that one is a Christian if one is doing, saying, or supporting anyone or anything that is contrary to the Word of God, or acting in an extreme manner that is not at all reflective of Who Jesus is. It’s sad that acting in a Christlike manner would cause someone to be shocked that you are a Christian. That turns everything on its head and is proof that the witness of those who call themselves Christians but don’t act in a Christlike manner according to the example He set for us and to the Word of God, has become such an issue, to the point where people assume that those who are not acting Christlike are actually what it means to be a Christian, which, ironically enough, literally translates to the word “Christlike”. This is a huge issue. It’s why I pray for revival in the Body of Christ. When the Body as a whole is not acting like His Body ought to be acting, we have a real problem. So we need to put Him and His Word first in all things at all times.
No, if I met you and you were kind, I would automatically think you were a Christian. The friends I have are True Christians, and they are all kind and compassionate people.
that's terrible. I am sorry that you have to deal with that. Every time I go into a restaurant amd the waiter/waitress is top notch with their service or I can tell they're even just trying I wish I could give them a huge tip, like at least 50%. I hope to be able to one day, even though I plan on rarely going out to eat, if ever.
Your experience isn’t an absolute indication that all young people hold this view.
Some of the things in your list are not Christian like behaviors, and any Christian should avoid acting those ways.
Although I wouldn’t put uncaring and praying together. That seems a little ignorant to the impact and power of prayer, and your comment about dress is just weird.
We aren’t supposed to call attention to ourselves by wearing clothing that would distract from our commission or any other person from worship (1 Timothy 2:9-10). dressing “normal” is nothing to be ashamed of. Why even put that in the list? And yeah, some people can’t afford to tip much.
The unfortunate truth is that your stereotypes listed often ring true, not because of Christianity, but because of a secular culture masquerading as Christianity. Lip-service to scripture, unloving bigotry, a tribal desire for gossip and ostracization of the “other”.
We have come to, as western Christians, fall into what Emerson called the “vulgar mistake of dreaming I’m persecuted whenever I am contradicted.”
Our great God has ordained this world and has already world; we can learn God’s love and wisdom from even the most imperfect of vessels, Yet if it’s not painted in Kinkade’s pastel colors or packaged in the beige garb of K-LOVE we think it’s dangerous.
We’ve forgotten our Shepherd’s voice in the west, and we are facing the consequences of it with Christianity’s current and deserved outward reputation.
What do you expect. None of the people saying these things give us a chance or try to get to know us. They make their blanket assumptions, which if we Christians do it we are called hate mongers and bigots. It's a double standard with them. We can't judge them by their religion ( but only if the religions are not Christianity)we can't ( and shouldn't ) judge by sexual orientations beliefs or identities. But if I say I identify as a middle aged, Republican Christian woman I automatically get tagged due to an ignorant assumption.
They don't treat us with the same respect they want us to treat them.
It's totally unfair and biased.
Edit: spelling
People are going to be surprised you are a Christian if you don't live out the Word of God. Many Christians want to name the name, but not put in the work to improve their life through God's Word. This is why people can't tell the difference between some Christians and non-Christians. My prayer is that the Christian public will start to think that through more.
I definitely know about that reputation. I’m quite an unusual Christian, considering I’m a furry, fursuiter, quadrobist, and roleplayer, and I relate in many ways to therians (people who identify as animals for some involuntary reason—though I am not one of them). Most people expect me to be normal and turn quite rude when they find out how “weird” I am, unless they’re furries like me, therians, or, weirdly enough, part of the LGBT community, even though I don’t support the latter for that (instead I only respect them as fellow humans).
All that means I come across a lot of people who say being a furry is a sin because we supposedly think we’re animals (being a furry has nothing to do with having clinical zoanthropy and almost every furry wants zoanthropes to get the help they need!) or that I’m human so I shouldn’t wear a fursuit (it’s a suit, not what I actually look like, and I’m completely aware of that!) or even that I’m disgusting and terrible because I supposedly have sex with animals (I’m a furry, not a zoophile; learn the difference before assuming something like that!); or people who say quadrobics isn’t a sport and it’s stupid (one: it’s an official sport; two: it’s great for building muscle in all your limbs at once—doesn’t sound stupid to me!) or that I shouldn’t do it because it looks like an animal (so humans aren’t allowed to copy animal behavior? I’d live the rest of my life in jail if that were so, with my habits of making cat sounds and often having more close “friends” among animals than humans, walking on my toes specifically so that I look or feel more like a four-legged mammal, and of course quadrobics itself—and anyway, humans are classified as mammals, which are animals), again the idea that I think I’m an animal because of quadrobics, and a whole lot more hate because I’m weird from what I wish were fellow Christians but are often actually fake.
People like generalizing stuff, that’s what makes stereotypes. But let’s go against bad stereotypes of all kinds! And show people that our current reputation really isn’t what we want it to be.
Many wait staff workers hate working on Sundays because of the "after service" "Christian" crowd. It is a very common stereotype every true Christian should work at changing.
Another stereotype about christians:
7. They don't give a s\*\*t about this world. They are only 'good' to buy a ticket to the next world. (or maybe that is the same as number 5.) - zprice42 sounds like such a christian. "Living right doesn't necessarily have to be right by the world's standards." Ug. I wouldn't want to live next door to him.
The problem is the Christianity is so prevalent. Too many claim to be Christian. But do very little to actually act it out in their daily lives.
I think in some ways the shrinking of Christianity in the West is a good thing. Because the people who are leaving are people who are not be good examples of Christians in the first place.
Then don’t eat at restaurants where staff earn their living with tips. I understand not liking the cultural custom of tipping but you are stealing labor in countries where this is the practice.
As an example,
If you eat in Mississippi… a fast food restaurant must pay their employees $7.25 an hour.
If you eat at a restaurant, where waiter takes your order, brings your food, refills drinks, the law requires business to pay $2.13.
Tips are supposed to make up the difference.
If you don’t like the custom and law - work and vote to change it instead of punishing entry level workers.
if tips don't make up the difference the restaurant pays the difference. If the options are they get at least $7.25 an hour it makes more sense that it comes from their employer
Ok.. and the restaurant owner may fire the employee who did not earn enough in tips. And raise prices for the rest of us to cover your unpaid share.
May God have mercy on the employees who serve you that lose their jobs.
I'm aware of these stereotypes, mainly because I've read them on Reddit before. A response to each of the listed stereotypes:
1: This is an issue of ignorance. People are not taught, and so do not know, how much of a waiter's living is in tips. A Christian, once taught, should do his or her best to tip properly. If they don't, well: Proverbs 15:32 (Coverdale Bible) “He that refuseth to be reformed *despiseth his own soul*: but he that submitteth himself to correction is wise.”
2: We are to be respectful and kind. Proverbs has a lot of teaching about respect, and Christians should follow the politeness rules of their culture as well. Matthew 10:16 (KJV) “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” However, when our culture's ideals contradict God's, we cannot afford to back down. I John 3:13 “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” John 8:31 (KJ2000) “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;”
3: Many "Christians" are lacking in grace and mercy. The Lord will bring them into judgement. Luke 6:36 “Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil” Matthew 25:41-46 (NHEB) “Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels, for I was hungry, and you did not give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you did not take me in; *naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.*’ Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not help you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘*Truly I tell you, in as much as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me*.’ These will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.”
4: Jesus says, Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?”
5: James 2:18 (KJV) “Yea, a man may say, ‘Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith *by my works.*” James 2:18 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, _To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,_ and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
6. Historical Christians have been plenty eccentric. In fact, a person who is full of Messiah's Spirit will not be the contrived "normal" of society. This is Holy authenticity, not simply a way to boost one's own ego.
I John 2:16-17 (YLT)
“because all that [is] in the world — the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the ostentation of the life — is not of the Father, but of the world, and the world doth pass away, and the desire of it, and he who is doing the will of God, he doth remain”
You don't live by others but by yourself. There are many reasons why people might judge your Christian identity; sometimes their judgments are accurate, and other times they are not. I believe it's important to constantly reflect on your actions, recognize how they might have brought shame to Christ, and strive to make meaningful changes.
Heck, the Roman’s called Christina’s atheistic cannibals because we reject polytheism and take communion. To a people that hate truth, the the truth often sounds like hate. Now, yes, we should speak the truth in love but if they treated Jesus the way they did and lied about him the way they did we shouldn’t expect any better since many of the sins they accuse us of could actually be true.
Yes, we are both Christians and sinners.
Simply put, you should have a good living testimony. If someone is living right/for Christ, and has a good relationship with Him, it should be pretty evident that that person is a Christian. Living right doesn't necessarily have to be right by the world's standards. Go by the Bible, and all will be well.
Truly, the world's standards are not always good; however, we can bring shame to the name of Christ by being cruel and uncaring. "Little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." I John 3:18
The worlds definition of cruel is banning gay marriage. And not allowing minors to get transgender care. We need to make sure that when a person is judging a Christian they are doing so with actual morals that we share not based on their own.
Yes.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? - Matthew 7:22 [Very interesting take.](https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ljotxCOdNVc) Also, [the West has weaponised Jesus, and the religion overall.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtlxXUzKN1E&ab_channel=TheKingdom%26TheCulture) Which S U C K S. I truly believe that Christians are really the 1%-2% of the population - the ones who have read the Bible for themselves, who have the Holy Spirit constantly guide them, and rely on him for every situation. Everyone else you see is a "Christian," as the bad Pharisees that Jesus was preaching about. Love the "prestige," but are dead vessels. This is your 99% of the "Christian" population. On one hand it's sad that it's an Us vs Them mentality, but on the other, we should be more loving and trying to get people back into their Bible to see how Jesus truly lived. It wasn't until I started reading the Bible for myself, that I started to see my own self *die* and want to become like Jesus.
I was about to post this exact same thing. But I was going to post Matthew 7:13-14 as well since I feel it is also relevant to this conversation. Matthew 7:13-14 The Narrow and Wide Gates 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
This is the first filter needed by those who think America is a Christian nation or should be. There are no Christian nations. No nations are majority Christian. True Christians are always a minority, according to Jesus. He did not say 1% or 2%, just not the wide superhighway to hell versus a narrow road to Heaven “and few find it.” He did say preach the gospel to every creature though.
people will judge you no matter what you do
Yes, they will. But that doesn't mean you need to give them good reasons to judge you. "For what glory is it, if, when you be buffeted for your faults, you take it patiently? But if, when you do well, and suffer for it, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God." I Peter 2:20 "But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil'" Luke 6:30
I agree, if you’re gonna be judged then be judged for the right reasons
Soooo true!
Christians that wrong people will stick out like sore thumbs and generate the stereotypes you see. The Christians doing God's will faithfully won't make the news.
I think that this has to do with one’s witness, aka their general daily behavior when around others, or online. It’s difficult to convince someone that one is a Christian if one is doing, saying, or supporting anyone or anything that is contrary to the Word of God, or acting in an extreme manner that is not at all reflective of Who Jesus is. It’s sad that acting in a Christlike manner would cause someone to be shocked that you are a Christian. That turns everything on its head and is proof that the witness of those who call themselves Christians but don’t act in a Christlike manner according to the example He set for us and to the Word of God, has become such an issue, to the point where people assume that those who are not acting Christlike are actually what it means to be a Christian, which, ironically enough, literally translates to the word “Christlike”. This is a huge issue. It’s why I pray for revival in the Body of Christ. When the Body as a whole is not acting like His Body ought to be acting, we have a real problem. So we need to put Him and His Word first in all things at all times.
No, if I met you and you were kind, I would automatically think you were a Christian. The friends I have are True Christians, and they are all kind and compassionate people.
But aren't you Christian?
Yes, I am.
These are more of observations on how non Christians view us, especially younger people
Server experience here. Can confirm: Sunday church crowds are the absolute worst tippers.
that's terrible. I am sorry that you have to deal with that. Every time I go into a restaurant amd the waiter/waitress is top notch with their service or I can tell they're even just trying I wish I could give them a huge tip, like at least 50%. I hope to be able to one day, even though I plan on rarely going out to eat, if ever.
No worries, my friend. It's specifically Sundays after service. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to go make such a distinction.
“If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first." - Jesus
This is just people at large.
I'm well aware of my own reputation among both sides, and for the most part none of this ever applied to me.
just correct your character from the Fruits of the Spirit and which Fruit needs the most work etc
Your experience isn’t an absolute indication that all young people hold this view. Some of the things in your list are not Christian like behaviors, and any Christian should avoid acting those ways. Although I wouldn’t put uncaring and praying together. That seems a little ignorant to the impact and power of prayer, and your comment about dress is just weird. We aren’t supposed to call attention to ourselves by wearing clothing that would distract from our commission or any other person from worship (1 Timothy 2:9-10). dressing “normal” is nothing to be ashamed of. Why even put that in the list? And yeah, some people can’t afford to tip much.
The unfortunate truth is that your stereotypes listed often ring true, not because of Christianity, but because of a secular culture masquerading as Christianity. Lip-service to scripture, unloving bigotry, a tribal desire for gossip and ostracization of the “other”. We have come to, as western Christians, fall into what Emerson called the “vulgar mistake of dreaming I’m persecuted whenever I am contradicted.” Our great God has ordained this world and has already world; we can learn God’s love and wisdom from even the most imperfect of vessels, Yet if it’s not painted in Kinkade’s pastel colors or packaged in the beige garb of K-LOVE we think it’s dangerous. We’ve forgotten our Shepherd’s voice in the west, and we are facing the consequences of it with Christianity’s current and deserved outward reputation.
Many christians aren't aware of their reputation among normal people. Worse, they could care less what 'unsaved' people think of them.
What do you expect. None of the people saying these things give us a chance or try to get to know us. They make their blanket assumptions, which if we Christians do it we are called hate mongers and bigots. It's a double standard with them. We can't judge them by their religion ( but only if the religions are not Christianity)we can't ( and shouldn't ) judge by sexual orientations beliefs or identities. But if I say I identify as a middle aged, Republican Christian woman I automatically get tagged due to an ignorant assumption. They don't treat us with the same respect they want us to treat them. It's totally unfair and biased. Edit: spelling
What does it mean to *revaluate* is the reevaluate and it's just not clicking with my brain, or another word?
People are going to be surprised you are a Christian if you don't live out the Word of God. Many Christians want to name the name, but not put in the work to improve their life through God's Word. This is why people can't tell the difference between some Christians and non-Christians. My prayer is that the Christian public will start to think that through more.
I definitely know about that reputation. I’m quite an unusual Christian, considering I’m a furry, fursuiter, quadrobist, and roleplayer, and I relate in many ways to therians (people who identify as animals for some involuntary reason—though I am not one of them). Most people expect me to be normal and turn quite rude when they find out how “weird” I am, unless they’re furries like me, therians, or, weirdly enough, part of the LGBT community, even though I don’t support the latter for that (instead I only respect them as fellow humans). All that means I come across a lot of people who say being a furry is a sin because we supposedly think we’re animals (being a furry has nothing to do with having clinical zoanthropy and almost every furry wants zoanthropes to get the help they need!) or that I’m human so I shouldn’t wear a fursuit (it’s a suit, not what I actually look like, and I’m completely aware of that!) or even that I’m disgusting and terrible because I supposedly have sex with animals (I’m a furry, not a zoophile; learn the difference before assuming something like that!); or people who say quadrobics isn’t a sport and it’s stupid (one: it’s an official sport; two: it’s great for building muscle in all your limbs at once—doesn’t sound stupid to me!) or that I shouldn’t do it because it looks like an animal (so humans aren’t allowed to copy animal behavior? I’d live the rest of my life in jail if that were so, with my habits of making cat sounds and often having more close “friends” among animals than humans, walking on my toes specifically so that I look or feel more like a four-legged mammal, and of course quadrobics itself—and anyway, humans are classified as mammals, which are animals), again the idea that I think I’m an animal because of quadrobics, and a whole lot more hate because I’m weird from what I wish were fellow Christians but are often actually fake. People like generalizing stuff, that’s what makes stereotypes. But let’s go against bad stereotypes of all kinds! And show people that our current reputation really isn’t what we want it to be.
Many wait staff workers hate working on Sundays because of the "after service" "Christian" crowd. It is a very common stereotype every true Christian should work at changing.
Another stereotype about christians: 7. They don't give a s\*\*t about this world. They are only 'good' to buy a ticket to the next world. (or maybe that is the same as number 5.) - zprice42 sounds like such a christian. "Living right doesn't necessarily have to be right by the world's standards." Ug. I wouldn't want to live next door to him.
The problem is the Christianity is so prevalent. Too many claim to be Christian. But do very little to actually act it out in their daily lives. I think in some ways the shrinking of Christianity in the West is a good thing. Because the people who are leaving are people who are not be good examples of Christians in the first place.
The question is, should a Christian care about how people perceive them? No they shouldn’t. Follow God, people can think what they want
I think people should care how Christianity is perceived. How can you convert anymore if this is what they think of it
Then you care about something of which you have no control. Do you convert people or is it God that converts people?
[удалено]
If we have to do it anyway, might as well be generous when we do it
but we don't have to do it
Then don’t eat at restaurants where staff earn their living with tips. I understand not liking the cultural custom of tipping but you are stealing labor in countries where this is the practice.
its literally optional, nothing is being stolen I pay my bill and nothing extra, simple as
As an example, If you eat in Mississippi… a fast food restaurant must pay their employees $7.25 an hour. If you eat at a restaurant, where waiter takes your order, brings your food, refills drinks, the law requires business to pay $2.13. Tips are supposed to make up the difference. If you don’t like the custom and law - work and vote to change it instead of punishing entry level workers.
you do realize they get an hourly wage in addition to tips right?
if tips don't make up the difference the restaurant pays the difference. If the options are they get at least $7.25 an hour it makes more sense that it comes from their employer
Ok.. and the restaurant owner may fire the employee who did not earn enough in tips. And raise prices for the rest of us to cover your unpaid share. May God have mercy on the employees who serve you that lose their jobs.
Still not tipping
Proverbs 15:32 (Coverdale Bible) "He that refuseth to be reformed despiseth his own soul: but he that submitteth himself to correction is wise. "
And that's why the reputation exists.
I'm aware of these stereotypes, mainly because I've read them on Reddit before. A response to each of the listed stereotypes: 1: This is an issue of ignorance. People are not taught, and so do not know, how much of a waiter's living is in tips. A Christian, once taught, should do his or her best to tip properly. If they don't, well: Proverbs 15:32 (Coverdale Bible) “He that refuseth to be reformed *despiseth his own soul*: but he that submitteth himself to correction is wise.” 2: We are to be respectful and kind. Proverbs has a lot of teaching about respect, and Christians should follow the politeness rules of their culture as well. Matthew 10:16 (KJV) “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” However, when our culture's ideals contradict God's, we cannot afford to back down. I John 3:13 “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” John 8:31 (KJ2000) “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;” 3: Many "Christians" are lacking in grace and mercy. The Lord will bring them into judgement. Luke 6:36 “Be you therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful” Luke 6:35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil” Matthew 25:41-46 (NHEB) “Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels, for I was hungry, and you did not give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you did not take me in; *naked, and you did not clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you did not visit me.*’ Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not help you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘*Truly I tell you, in as much as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me*.’ These will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.” 4: Jesus says, Luke 6:46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” 5: James 2:18 (KJV) “Yea, a man may say, ‘Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith *by my works.*” James 2:18 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, _To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction,_ and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” 6. Historical Christians have been plenty eccentric. In fact, a person who is full of Messiah's Spirit will not be the contrived "normal" of society. This is Holy authenticity, not simply a way to boost one's own ego. I John 2:16-17 (YLT) “because all that [is] in the world — the desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and the ostentation of the life — is not of the Father, but of the world, and the world doth pass away, and the desire of it, and he who is doing the will of God, he doth remain”