Beware of Christians

So I spent the past two days watching a documentary called “Beware of Christians”. It’s a movie shot by 4 Texas College Guys and they travelled to several countries in Europe discussing Christianity with locals and each other. They chose 7 topics and picked a specific country to tackle each topic. For example, in Hungary they covered Wealth and Poverty and they went to the beer capital of the world to discuss Alcohol. The complete list of topics was:

Identity

Materialism

Sex/Relationship

Church

Wealth/Poverty

Media/Entertainment

Alcohol

I will say that this movie is one time for so many reasons. First, for the past 2 years I’ve struggled with living a life following my faith completely. I have started to question my day to day activities and convicting me when I’m doing something I know isn’t Christ like. These four guys went through each topic thoroughly. They asked questions to strangers, they discussed their personal struggles, and they had group discussions. They were honest in admitting where they fall short and they offered alternatives to living closer to the standard God put in place for Christians. They also included silly college frat boy stuff that showed that they still have fun.

Second, this movie reaffirms the need for friends who are on the same path and committed to following that path as you are. I always thought I could be the friend who was different than the rest of the group and I would get suckered in to doing something just because the people around me were doing it. I can honestly say that after taking a look back that I am not strong enough to constantly fight peer pressure. I don’t think anyone is though. I am learning that I need a circle of peers who are young and who may have been in the church all of their lives but who are learning this life as adults. I need people around me who I’m comfortable with questioning my life and they will hold me accountable when I fall short.

Finally, this movie opened my eyes to the idea of Christianity not only here but around the world. They confirmed that you can’t be a true Christian and live the way you once lived. It is a life changing commitment and I should look different than those who are not believers. There is more to Christianity than God knowing your heart. I have to live the life and be the example and set myself a part from what is considered the norm.

I encourage anyone who is young and has questions about the way your life should be led when claiming to be Christian to watch it and take inventory on the current state of your life. None of us are perfect and we all have things we struggle but there should be something that lets people know what you believe without actually saying it. At one part of the movie the guys asked a woman if she could see any difference in Christians. Her response was “Not really. They are just busy in Sundays”. That’s disheartening because I see it every day. I live it most days. My actions aren’t what they should be in saying that I am a Christian. My focus is wrong and my prayers are skewed. The amazing part of this life is that I know this and God knows this and he still loves me and still gives me chances to prove my love to him.

So this isn’t a personal attack on the way anyone else lives their lives. I am speaking specifically for me. For me it’s time to be better and to do better. To refocus on what’s important and surround myself with people who ultimately have the same foundation.