Are They Really Like Jesus? (example essay)

A present day Jezebel resides in the Christian community’s mist. Well at least that’s true according to Reuben Armstrong’s opinion. Armstrong is the author of the book Snakes in the Pulpit, which discusses the mistakes and schemes of multiple prominent leaders who claim they’re delivering God’s message to the people. In chapter seven of his opening quote says, “A wise woman once said, remember how you got your man: that’s the same way you are going to lose him.” This is what he uses to introduce his skepticism about ‘Jezebel’ Juanita Bynum. Throughout the chapter he goes in detail about her non-characteristic acts of a Christian. “She confesses her sins before everyone and goes in depth to describe her sexual appetite and her carnal craving in her message “No More Sheets.” She also believes that God doesn’t allow her to wear make-up, pants or outfits that show her figure because if she did so her ungodly ways would appear again. Bynum also has a failed marriage due to abuse, both physical and mental. She is now remarried to another Christian role-model. After her new marriage, she hosted a marriage conference; but the speakers who she scheduled to preach were both divorced from their marriages. Armstrong voices that he feels if the conference was for married people how could a divorcee preach to Christians about a successful marriage. In 2 Timothy 3:5, King James Version, the bible says, “They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they’re animals. Stay clear of these people.” Clearly some of Juanita’s actions would make someone question if they should stay away from her.

Big time prophets, preachers, and singers aren’t the only ones who make mistakes or pretend to be with walking with God. There are plenty of local Christians who do the same thing. At Real Life Church, their old youth program used to be called Relevant, and the youth pastor was Chris Dorrity, better known as Big Papa. Dorrity was always advertising the youth program and the events he had planned with the church. Then things began to change little by little. Big Papa’s advertisements became more and more about him instead of about Jesus, and more billboards of him appeared through out the city. Also allegations of child molestation appeared on Chris’s character. Now matters have died down. The youth program at Real Life has a new pastor, and it’s now called Elevation. Chris Dorrity has started a new place to worship, Grace Point Church. He has created a website to advertise his church. On the website across the majority of the home page “No Perfect People Allowed” is printed in large bold letters. If this is true, then Jesus would not be allowed in his new church. Since Jesus came down to earth and lived a perfect life as man, then died for our sins so that we could have the opportunity to strive for perfection in Christ. Jesus says: “watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ' I am the Christ,' and will deceive many” (King James Version, Matthew 24:4-5). With some teachings, we as Christians have to ask God what is His word and what's not.

Growing up as a child in the bible belt, church was always apart of my life. Every Sunday I went for the service and Sunday school, on Wednesdays I tagged along with my mom to bible study, Thursdays I watched her practice with the praise team, and on Saturdays I was rehearsing with the children's choir. If there was any event at church I'll bet I was there to participate. In doing all of these things, I came to assume that I must have been a Christian; I mean I was always in Christ's house. As I became older, my involvement in church continued, so I still assumed I was living a Christian life style. During the time I happened to be off church grounds, I didn't act like I knew what a church looked like. I gossiped, lied, used profanity, and didn't even consider repenting or changing my hurtful ways. All of these things I knew weren't acts of God but I didn't know that a real Christian actually applied what was taught in church and strived to be like Christ.

Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than swimming in the ocean makes you a fish. People go to church for many different reasons. For some it is a scheduled activity in their week, it simply becomes habitual not meaningful. For others it's an obligation or a ritual that is expected of them; some sort of penance for trying to atone for their bad deeds. They are simply going through the motions. God can still meet and impact those people's lives even though they create obstacles to His blessings.

People who go to church to learn more about God, to worship Him and fellowship with other believers are in a different category entirely. Does this mean that they are better than other people? No, it just means that they are forgiven of their sins and are trying to live life in His grace and with His help. Christianity is a day by day, moment by moment, choice by choice life style. As Christians, we are open to more critical judgment and a higher level of scrutiny.

The church is composed of a wide variety of people who are members for many different reasons. Depending on why they go and how they live their lives affects only their relationship with God.