Believing in Jesus When Christians Let You Down

Have you ever pretended to be something you're not to impress others? I certainly have. When I was in fifth grade, I tried to impress a friend by becoming a Kansas Jayhawks fan. I went to the mall, bought what I thought was a KU shirt, and proudly wore it to school the next day. To my horror, I realized I had accidentally bought a Kansas State shirt instead. My friend's disgusted reaction left me so embarrassed that I decided to become a Duke fan instead – a team far enough away that I couldn't mess it up again.

This embarrassing childhood memory reminds me of one of the main reasons many people aren't Christians or don't attend church: they know a Christian who misrepresented Jesus. Maybe you've experienced this yourself. Perhaps you remember a Christian who was hypocritical, judgmental, or hurtful. Or maybe you've seen news stories about Christians behaving badly or social media posts showing people professing faith in Jesus while acting the complete opposite.

If you've ever asked yourself, "Is this whole Christianity thing a joke? Why would I follow Jesus if that's how Christians act?" – you're not alone. Today, I want to share how you can believe in Jesus (or believe again) despite negative experiences with other Christians. Because here's the truth: people aren't God, and following Jesus is personal.

The Problem of Misrepresentation

A recent study from the Pew Research Center found that while 63% of Americans identify as Christian, only 4% would consider themselves "practicing Christians." That means 59% of the Christians we encounter might be talking the talk but not walking the walk. With statistics like these, it's no wonder so many people have been hurt by the church or by someone claiming to be a Christian.

If that's you, I'm truly sorry for your experience. It breaks my heart to hear stories of people turned away from faith because of others' actions. But I'm here to tell you that your hope doesn't have to be placed in that person or that experience. People are not God.

Learning from Paul's Example

In the Bible, we find a letter written by the apostle Paul to his friend Timothy. Paul was one of the early church leaders, and he wrote this letter while imprisoned for his faith. In 2 Timothy 1:15, Paul writes, "As you know, everyone from the province of Asia has deserted me." Can you imagine how betrayed and alone Paul must have felt?

Yet despite this abandonment and his terrible prison conditions, Paul continued to trust in Jesus. He writes in 2 Timothy 2:19, "But God's truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: 'The Lord knows those who are his.'" Paul knew that even when people let him down, Jesus remained faithful.

Knowing Jesus Personally

The key to Paul's unwavering faith was his personal relationship with Jesus. He declares in 2 Timothy 1:12, "I know the One in whom I trust." This is the heart of what it means to follow Jesus – it's not about other people's faith or actions, it's about knowing Jesus for yourself.

So how can we get to know this Jesus we can trust? Here are a few practical steps:

1. Acknowledge where you are: Be honest about any hesitations you have about following Jesus. Are they based on others' actions or on Jesus himself?

2. Read about Jesus: The Gospel of John is a great place to start. John 20:30-31 says, "These are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name."

3. Pick up resources: Consider reading the book "Practicing the Way" to learn more about living out your faith.

4. Join a community: Find other practicing Christians who can encourage you and share how Jesus has worked in their lives.

 The Power of Authentic Community

While it's true that people can let us down, authentic Christian community can also be a powerful way to experience Jesus' love. Paul himself was blessed by a friend named Onesiphorus. He writes in 2 Timothy 1:16-17, "May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family. He often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains. When he came to Rome, he searched everywhere until he found me."

There are still faithful people out there who are following and loving Jesus well. I pray that you'll find a community where you can experience the love of Christ through others.

Next Steps: Putting It Into Practice

If you're ready to take a step towards knowing Jesus personally, here are some practical next steps:

1. Read the Gospel of John: Start with one chapter a day and see what you learn about Jesus.

2. Join us next week: We're starting a new series called "Jesus Through Us" that will explore how Jesus works through people like you and me.

3. Get connected: Stop by our "New Here" area after the service to learn about ways to get involved in our church community.

4. Pray: Ask God to reveal Himself to you and to heal any hurts you've experienced from others in the name of Christianity. Check out prayer resources here.

Remember, following Jesus is personal. Don't let others' actions keep you from experiencing the love, grace, and truth of Christ for yourself. As you take these steps to know Jesus better, I believe you'll discover a faith that can withstand disappointments and a God who will never let you down.