What makes a good Christian? Is it even possible? Is it redundant, or a contradiction in terms?

At its most basic, a Christian is nothing more than a follower of Jesus. One who believes Jesus is the Son of God who came to redeem the world from sin by suffering and dying on a cross. A perfect sacrifice for everyone past, present, and future, and for all time.

But what else does it mean to be a follower of Christ? How are we to know what that looks like other than simply saying Jesus is the Son of God?

Jesus said to his disciples, “Follow me.” Throughout his ministry, he preached and showed them what following him entailed. It included sacrificing many things, including their livelihoods, their family, certainly their arrogance and pride, and for many, eventually their lives.

Even so, as close as they were to Jesus, they were imperfect, even though Jesus told them to be perfect as God as perfect (Matthew 5:48).

So how can we, over two thousand years removed from when Jesus walked the earth, even attempt to be perfect? Since the disciples failed, again and again, certainly we have no chance.

Jesus understood that of course. The reason for the statement, I believe, is to show us what perfection looks like because he said it at the end of the Beatitudes. Yet I also believe he wants us to strive for it even though we may fail. By trying, we (hopefully) learn from our failures, do better in the future, and not only grow closer to God as a result, but help others do the same.

That is our mandate after all.

A seemingly favorite pasttime of some Christians on social media is to criticize other Christians. A lot of it, unfortunately, splits across the political spectrum. One can always tell if a Christian leans left or right by who they criticize and which parts of scripture they use to show how that other person failed Jesus and their faith.

Full disclosure: I am not immune, and I am just as guilty as everyone else. For that, I owe many a fairly large mea culpa.

So why should I apologize for criticizing other Christians on social media? Simple. Matthew 18:15-17 (ESV): “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”

Like I’ve said countless times, Christians constantly fighting amongst themselves is not a good look for non-Christians.

Why would anyone want to be a part of a family or faith if all they do is bicker and point fingers at one another about all their imperfections and faults?

Jesus said that a house divided cannot stand. Yet here we are, tearing down the walls and taking a sledgehammer to its foundation. In public for all to see.

We deserve all the derision and contempt non-believers throw at us.

Now I’m not saying we should hide all our sins from the world. Quite the contrary. We are to also obey the laws of the land, and if a brother or sister breaks one of those laws, we are obligated to turn that person in to face justice as prescribed by said law–with a caveat that the law in question doesn’t violate any of God’s laws.

We simply shouldn’t be so quick to publicly criticize other Christians for doing or believing (especially politically) things with which we disagree.

Doing so often descends to the level of gossip. Plus, criticizing other Christians can make others infer that the critic is attempting to make him/herself look better, more pious, or faithful than the criticee (yes, I know that’s not a word, but hey, I’m a writer. I’m allowed).

Which is not a good look, either.

One of my favorite passages is, “Judge not, that you be judged. For with judgement you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye.” (Matthew 7:1-3)

Some like to spout the first verse, but miss the second and third. Jesus is talking about several things. For one, we are indeed capable of judging others’ sins, but we must be cautious. By whatever standard we judge other people, God will use that same standard when he judges us. I don’t know about you, but that gives me pause. The third verse tells us to avoid hypocrisy by pointing out someone’s sin when we are engaging in the same sin.

Does all my above rambling have a point, or is all this blabbering an attempt to find one?

Perhaps a little of both, so thank you for sticking around up until now.

The reason for this entry, and my hope, is that I and any of my readers will see this as a reminder to be careful of criticizing other Christians in public. While it may be completely justified, that doesn’t mean everyone needs to see our attempt at correcting them. All it does is make us look petty and prideful when that’s not what God expects from us. We are to spread the Good News of Jesus and his salvation, not bicker amongst ourselves in front of the entire world.