Ask yourself three questions. I’ll do the same.
1. Am I a poser Christian?
2. Am I always trying to impress the people around me?
3. Am I comfortable with who God has created me to be?
As I sit here in my local coffee shop and drink my iced-vanilla latte (a real manly drink), I’ve begun to look around me and wonder what type of lifestyle I am portraying as I sip my de-caffeinated beverage.
I’ve already noticed a few people walk through the entrance, and immediately stare at the bibles on my table with a dumfounded look upon their face. In fact, one lady even gave me a little, “Pfff” , then rolled her eyes as she made her way to the nearest barista. As faithful and holy as I want to claim to be, I wont try to hide that insecure thoughts have now begun running through my head. Hey, I’m human…
Satan Has Me Thinking: “Maybe I should put my bibles away so I don’t make people feel uncomfortable.” Or, ”Maybe I should go to a different coffee shop where the tables are more secluded.”
Instantly I’ve snapped out of my insecure trance and said, “NO!” This is exactly why I am writing this post… So that people who claim to follow Jesus will actually start acting like it, regardless of who they are surrounded by. The title of this post is ”Poser Christianity,” and as silly as the title may sound, I want to make sure that my life portrays a living, and breathing example of Jesus Christ and not some washed out 1/2 crafted replica.
TRUTH: Maybe I should just be who God created me to be and stop making excuses as to why I should be someone else. Maybe I should care less about the shallow opinions of some coffee drinking soccer mom, and only focus on the opinion that matters. God’s.
WHY? Because! Since the day I was born, God set aside a place for me in His kingdom. My calling is to walk like Jesus walked, talk like He talked, and serve like He served. I’m sick and tired of our generation being sick and tired. Be who God has called you to be, and not who the world wants you to be.
Even as I continue to write this there is a battle for my heart that wages every single day. No matter where I am writing, tweeting, or posting, the world will try to pull me one way, while the truth of The Gospel moves to lead me the right way. It’s a battle that we must prepare for every day of our lives. And regardless of your past, you can make a change today for the better of your future.
Poser Christianity is an epidemic I believe to be sweeping across churches around the world. Don’t let someone who is infected by it give it to you.
- Jarrid Wilson
Great post Jarrid! I must say that you have hit the nail on the head with these last three posts.
I had a rough ordeal that happened at my church last night, and some people got hurt. Mainly because I told the truth. I felt God put it on my heart. I felt if I didn’t get it straightened out, then something would end up happening in our youth group. Didn’t end so well.
“I, yes I, am the one who comforts you. So why are you afraid of mere humans, who wither like the grass and disappear? Isaiah 51:12
Some people wanted to say and act like one thing in front of the pastor, and then when he was gone, act and say something totally different. I ended up hurt the most. I thought I had done wrong. But God told me different. He showed me I was the TRUE Christian when I got up and hugged those people and forgave them. I’m not going to compromise the Word to make someone happy. I can’t!
The two verses God gave me are:
“But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats.” 1 Peter 3:14
“This is my command–be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
The Lord wants us to be what He called us to be. Those people didn’t call us! He did! All we can do is pray for those people, lift them up to Him, and do what’s right for us. Thanks for not changing! I’ll stand with you to find a cure for posers!
Thank you Hannah! You’re too kind. :)
This reminded of the scripture verse I’m working on memorizing this week:
For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 2:4
I believe as Christians that our actions speak louder than words. Thanks for the great post and encouraging others to be the real deal in their walk with Christ! :]
Amen. I love that!
Awesome, dude. This is one of my biggest struggles; being forthright and open about who God wants me to be every second of every day and to be completely unashamed of who that is. Thanks for the encouragement, brother!
Appreciate your honest Rob! Appreciate you.
THIS POST IS GREAT! Thank you so much, Jarrid! :) God bless you.
Thanks Julie!
Thank you so much for this post Jarrid. I struggle with this sometimes and it is good to remember that Jesus is and will always be the solution.
Thanks Pabo, that means a lot.
Is this Instagram? I’m trying to find Instagram.
Wow John, really appreciate you thoughts! Love that.
@John: I am a middle-aged mother who stumbled upon Jarrid on Facebook. As I have children that are in his generation, I starting following his posts and think he is spot-on with a lot that he is saying and I think his generation needs more like him. Thank you Jarrid. That being said, I think Jarrid missed the boat with his response to your post. I would like to tell you, John, that you have a valid point of Bible e-sites. But reading the Bible and sharing the Word is not a private issue. Our responsibility as Christians is to share what we know and build God’s kingdom. One way to do this IS to have a Bible in front of us. Who knows…. if we are lucky, maybe a conversation will start because someone saw this Book and that sparked a discussion. A question or conversation about God is not likely going to start if we are reading Bible on our phones. Does having a Bible on a coffee shop table make us posers? Of course not, no more so than a college student having a textbook on their table. Many Christians are on different levels of their journey in this world. It sounds like you have encountered some that are not in a place yet where they set the example that they should be. And unfortunately it sounds like they are being grouped as “all” Christians. My suggestion would be to connect with a Christian who you do feel is a good testament for Christ and talk with them, learn from them. Find a church that you like that you can truly connect with and let your own personal journey with Christ begin. Good luck and God bless you!
I had a similar moment last night as I was walking across one of the college campuses where I do ministry. I started feeling insecure as I am 10 years removed from college graduation, not as fit as I used to be and clearly on my way to a Christian gathering. But after about a minute of that insecurity, I asked myself – why do I care what these college students think of me? Most of them are just as insecure and broken. The only acceptance I need is God’s. Made the rest of the walk a lot better.
Amen. Praying for you brotha.
Appreciate your response Jason!
Hey! great message Jarrid! Keep it up, God uses you in amazing ways!
Im actually gonna preach about something like this tomorrow to my youth group.
About responding to God’s calling and acting like a real christian.
I always tell them Always preach the word of God and if necessary use words.
God Bless!
Thanks Kevin! Appreciate it bro.
AMEN!
Awesome message Jarrid. I used to struggle about responding to Jesus calling.
I used to play in a metal band and had this “tough” image of myself. So when I accepted Christ, I was so afraid of shouting the truth and sharing love because of what people was going to say about me.
But now I realize God brought me back home to encourage them, to let them know there is a hope that never fails.
Greetings from Mexico City. :)
Hi Jarrid!!! This is an awesome encouragement. I find this a great step of faith– to just live not like our life is a movie where tons of people are watching our every move and we ought to please them, but to live a life that does not care about the world’s opinion but only listens to the great one and only audience, GOD. Thanks!
Totally agree! Love your insights.
love this post brother. Your transparency is encouraging many to rise up in the name of Jesus :). While we still can…
on that note I’m going to read your Politic Me Off post.
Blessings!
After I read how you would be yourself, like take out your bible and read while drinking your coffee and random people would see you, it inspired me to do the same cause I’ve had thoughts of insecurity around people just like you, so today I started reading this book I got at a conference called sex, love & relationships. The book is named Naked Truth, as I was reading my friend made a silly remark and started making fun of me because I was reading info about sex. It made me feel uncomfortable, but I feel like it was also a chance for me to be an example. Thanks for this post, I don’t want to be a poser.
Amen! I don’t want any of us to be posers!
I love this message ! As I sit here currently in my college library I go through the same thing . I’m reading a book called ” Tough questions about God, Faith and Life ” and every time I read it, I make sure no one sees the cover of the book. I take it outcog my bag carefully .I don’t want them to see me reading a book about Christianity and be uncomfortable, and possibly judge me . I just did this about 20 minutes prior to reading what you wrote & that will be the last time I do that ! Thanks for the message ! :)
I conducted a search titled “I’m a poser God please help me” and came across your post. My struggles aren’t as tame as yours and those posted by others here. I have been struggling with my relationship with God for years. I’ve always longed for the personal intimate relationship that I have heard and read about others having. I’ve tried so many different things to get to that point. In the mean time throughout all the years I have been forcing myself to act and live as a Christian. I have been constantly doing battle with the 800 lb gorilla that wants its own way, and I lose that fight a lot. I have been posing, hoping each day that this will be the day that I have that break through moment where I see the magnificence of Christ’s sacrifice and personal love for me. But each day goes on like the last, and my prayers go unanswered. It makes me think that I am predestined for hell. I know there are theological debates that cover this and how it is interprete in the Bible, some of them really make sense, and that scares me.