Have you ever experienced disappointment when someone you look up to has fallen away from the faith, or has a scandal come out about a “secret life” they were living? This could be applied to a person, pastor, or mentor you personally know or follow on social media. In addition, it could be a Christian musician or influencer that you support. You may feel betrayed if that person was someone you learned a lot from and really loved. Maybe you have experienced “church hurt,” or have been judged and left out, by people you thought were supposed to be Christians. I think everyone has been disappointed, in one way or another, because they had confidence in a person who ended up letting them down. Now, please don’t take this as me saying that you should never again trust or admire someone influential, since that’s not the case. However, I do think that in these types of circumstances there are two very important lessons we can learn.
The first lesson is that we are supposed to look to Jesus and not to the people who represent Him.
The second lesson is that, yes, you are supposed to be like Jesus, but you need to realize that He came because no one else could be perfect and unchanging like Him.
Let’s explore what the first lesson entails. When it comes to looking to Jesus and not the people who represent Him, you are to remember that people are flawed, but God is not. People are sinful and imperfect, therefore they will disappoint you. We live in a fallen world which means that each person is affected by sin, however, Jesus came “in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). In other words, Jesus is not affected by sin in any way. But Jesus does understand the negative effects of this sinful world, which is why He came to deliver people from sin, death, and the devil! Jesus showed His love and compassion towards us by laying down His life so that we may have life and live it abundantly (John 10:10)! Peter explains what the flaws of man can do at the end of one of his books. Second Peter 3:15-16 says this, “And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.” These verses refer to the people who falsely represent Jesus or who skew God’s Word for their own benefit. Therefore, Peter goes onto say in verses 17-18, “You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error or lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” So, Peter gives us a warning, and encourages us to not look to those who show to have error or to be lawless.
Instead, we are to learn to have confidence, or a stable belief, in who Jesus says He is and not in the flawed representation of Jesus, which is shown through sinful people.
Along with knowing that fact, we should be watchful for prideful people and confusing teachings that are associated with some of those that can influence others. James, in the book that bears his name, writes on how to identify what is from God by comparing the fruit of people's actions. James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” In other words, his point is that if the person who is teaching you is “wise and understanding” you should see that through his “good conduct” and “works in the meekness of wisdom.” There should be no pride and no mistranslation of teaching when compared to one’s actions. Then, a few verses later James speaks about what God’s wisdom looks like in action. Verses 17-18 say, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” You see, wisdom from God has a totally different outcome because God is consistent in His works, and His ways bear good fruit.
We should not just “love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).
The truth of God’s Word should always outweigh the confusion that others may bring.
We often experience hurt when people say they stand by, or believe one thing, but their actions show the opposite. This can lead to confusion and result in an upsetting betrayal. First Corinthians 14:33 encourages us by telling us that “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” By being aware of this, we can quickly know if something is from God or is not. In addition, Ephesians 4:14-15 tells us this: “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..” Therefore, just as the point has been made, we are to learn to identify with the ways of God. Each person is made to grow in Him, and not in the ways of others that can subtly lead people away from God’s Word.
How can someone learn to do such a thing?
Well, I’m glad you asked as that leads to the second lesson of how you are supposed to be like Jesus. Everything Jesus did was left as an example for us. And you know what? Even Jesus was hurt by religious people. He experienced hurt, betrayal, and disappointment. First Peter 2:21-25 explains it this way, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” First of all, what self-control Jesus showed! Secondly, Jesus went through those hard circumstances and emotions to show us how to look, and cling, to God by modeling how to have a personal relationship with Him. Jesus went to God knowing that God would deal with the others that came against Him while fulfilling Him in the process! This is a great reminder that as long as you turn back to God, when you feel you have been led astray, you will be healed from the hurt experienced and led to live like Jesus did! No one said it would be easy. In fact, 1 Peter 5:10 encourages us by saying, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Everything points back to being more like Jesus and giving Him the glory! Whether you experience good or bad times, there is purpose given with God!
Jesus will help restore you as you find security in Him, confirm things about Him to you, strengthen you to get through anything, and establish you in His ways!
And lastly, 1 John 2:27 tells us that, “the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie- just as it has taught you, abide in him.” Therefore, as you get closer to God and begin to rely on Him, you will be able to discern teaching better, and not experience so much hurt from the flaws of others. So, instead of “being tossed to and fro” by the imperfect representation of Jesus through others, get to know Him and His Word for yourself! This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t listen to other people's teachings or music to learn about God or worship Him. However, it is much better to do those things when you try to let God lead you in the teaching of His own Word first, and then compare as God shows you discernment. Just remember that God is the only perfect and unchanging one, and in Him there is peace!
