Why People Are Turned Off to Christianity (and What We Can Do About It)

It is not news that many people view Christians in very negative ways. Should we just dismiss that reputation because it comes from unbelievers and former churchgoers? Or are we failing to live the way we were told to live?

The problem is what we teach and what we live are not the same. We mention becoming more Christ-like, but as Christians and as churches, we set the bar far lower.

The two common practices I see are behaving as good as the guy in the seat next to you and the others is keeping up with a religious checklist like:

•               Go to church

•               Give money

•               Serve as an usher

•               Pray a few times

•               REPEAT

We need a proper goal, and for that, we look to Scripture. In Luke 6:40 Jesus says, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”

In other words, we are expected to behave as Christ behaved, or better said, we behave as He would if He were living our lives. Many people, when tackling this question, will immediately point at the fruits of the Spirit. It is a great list:

 Galatians 5:22-24: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

In that list are the attributes of Jesus, but we can expand them out a little bit if we look at Jesus’ life. I warn you, this is a very challenging list.

Jesus showed us:

• The Embodiment of God’s Love: Jesus perfectly reflected God’s love for humanity through His words and actions.

  • John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”  

• Compassion: Jesus showed deep empathy and care for those who were suffering or in need.

  • Matthew 8:16-17: “That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick.”  

• Love for Others: Jesus’ love was unconditional and extended to everyone, even those who opposed Him.

  • John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”

  • John 13:34:  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

• Faithfulness: Jesus remained faithful to His mission, even in the face of persecution and death.

  • Philippians 2:8: “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

• How To Be a Light of the World: Jesus is the ‘Light of the World’ in the Gospel of John, symbolizing enlightenment and guidance.

  • John 1:6-10: “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

    The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.”

• Humility: Despite being the Son of God, Jesus humbled Himself and came to serve others.

  • John 13:3-5: “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”  

• Biblical Authority: Jesus spoke with authority and power, both in His teachings and in His interactions with others.

  • Mark 1:22: “And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.”

• Wisdom: Jesus’ teachings were filled with wisdom and insight into the human condition. The confrontation between Him and those trying to trick Him with whether or not taxes should be paid to Caesar exemplifies this.

  • Matthew 22:15-22: “Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.”

• Holiness: Jesus lived a sinless life and exemplified moral purity.

  • Hebrews 4:15: “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”  

• Servanthood: Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

  • Matthew 20:28: “Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  

• Sufferer: Jesus willingly endured suffering and death on the cross to redeem humanity.

  • Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”  

• How He Glorified the Father: Jesus’ life and ministry brought glory to God the Father.

  • John 17:4: “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”

• How to Teach: Jesus trained disciples to follow His teachings and become like Him.

  • Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  

• To Be Relational: Jesus built deep, meaningful relationships with His followers and others.

  • John 15:15: “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”  

• To Be Obedient to God: Jesus always sought to do the will of His Father.

  • John 6:38: " For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”

• To Be Counter-Culturist: Jesus challenged the norms and values of His society, often prioritizing compassion and love over religious rules and social hierarchies.

  • Luke 15:1-2: “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ‘This man receives sinners and eats with them.’”  

• Vigilant against False Teachers and Religion: Jesus challenged the religious leaders of His time, exposing their hypocrisy and legalism, and warned His followers against their influence.

  • Matthew 23:27-28: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”  

  • Mark 8:15: “And he cautioned them, saying, ‘Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.’”  

We can't forget that Jesus had these attributes and was still rejected and killed. We are not here to win popularity contests, but we must represent Christ the right way. If you asked me the biggest problem from my perspective, I would tell you there is far too much hatred in Christianity.

Next week we are going to look at the lifestyle of Jesus and how that will help us achieve the goals. In the meantime, I ask you to pray over these goals and ask God to help you and submit to His course.