Sometimes Christians suck! I know that this might take many people by surprise considering that I am a pastor and have been a passionate Jesus follower and preacher for 20 years now. But, the truth needs to be said even if it hurts. I know people that have no problem with Jesus or His teaching, but they hate those who say they follow Him. I am not writing this out of anger or because of a bad experience with a disgruntled church member. This is a cry to encourage God’s people (who I love) to do better.

Mahatma Gandhi once said, “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” This is a scathing critique that was as true in his day as it is in ours. The Bible bares the same idea, “Here’s what it says: Because of you, God’s reputation is slandered by those outside the covenant.” Romans 2:24 There are people, I think, that are down on the whole “Jesus thing” because of the sorry actions of Christians. Some might say that I am exposing family business, but lets face it, these are things non-Christians already think and say about those who are supposed to carry the name of Jesus.

So, I give you the 10 things I hate about Christians.

1-Christians are Hypocritical- Jesus himself was frustrated at those who were seemingly religious, but living incongruent lives. They preach that people should be kind while being jerks. They are little angels on Sunday and live like devils Monday through Saturday. Christians can be so judgmental about the sinful lifestyles of others while they are just as sinful, but have managed to keep it quiet.

2-Christians are Ungracious- Grace is the concept that God was good to us even though we were evil. Instead of giving us what we deserved He blessed us. That should make Christians, who have been blessed with grace, gracious to others. They are very mean to people who are flawed. It’s interesting that somehow they want people to be nice to them when their flaws are exposed.

3-Christians are Unloving- How can you say that Jesus is love and refuse to love people? Jesus fed the hungry. He helped those who were hurting. Why don’t people who say they represent Him do the same thing? Love shouldn’t be limited to just friends or the people that agree with you. Jesus taught His followers to love even their enemies; so Christians should be the most loving people anywhere.

4-Christians are Ignorant to what they Believe- There is nothing more frustrating than a person who says they are a Christian, and they don’t read, nor do they know their Bible. It makes sense that so few live up to its teachings. When those who don’t believe what you believe, know more about what you believe than you, do it looks bad. If you believe that the Bible is the word of God then it makes sense that you should know it!

5-Christians are Dishonest- How many people do you meet that talk about how blessed they are, and yet they are so unhappy. Why do they paint smiles on their faces while they are hurting on the inside? If you are going to be honest in one area, shouldn’t you be honest about your feelings? Blessed is not a good answer when you are struggling.

6-Christians are all about their “church”- it seems to me that a Christian should be a representative of their faith when not in the church building. Why do I have to come to your building to hear about this truth you say you believe. Is the pastor the only one good or smart enough to tell someone about God. And why do so many people exalt pastors to demi-god status? Doesn’t that force them on a pedestal that is impossible to remain on? Just saying. Christians seem to be overly concerned with differentiating themselves from other Christians. Aren’t all Christians going to heaven?

7-Christians Talk more about Rules than God- There are so many Christians that try to get people that are not Christians to act like Christians. Why tell people about the rules of Christianity without first helping them get to know Jesus. Isn’t the faith supposed to be more about what God’s goodness than ours? Do you really want people living Christian morality without Christ?

8-Christians are Stingy- if God gave us Jesus, then shouldn’t believers be givers. There are so many churches struggling because church people don’t give. Many will close their doors because their members aren’t generous. Not to mention that there are many churches in communities that have hurting and hungry people, and they don’t help them. Christians are supposed to be generous.

9-Christians are Unforgiving- God forgave you so you are required to forgive others, right? That seems to be central to the Christian’s belief. People in churches stop talking to one another for not being invited to a barbeque. If Christians can get along with other Christians, then why would anyone want to be one?

10-Christians are like Me- The biggest thing I hate about Christians is that I am one of them. I am just as guilty of being a hypocrite, unloving, ungracious, etc. I have told people I was fine and blessed when I was so hurting and lonely on the inside. I am not writing this to say that I am any better than anyone else. The simple truth is that no Christian is perfect, only Jesus.

Even though I am broken and in need of the grace of God, I am expected to live the best life possible. Let’s be honest, no one expects me to be perfect because I don’t pretend to be either. I think if we stopped acting like we were better than others we would be able to have more integrity when we to share with them. Yes, Christians must stand for truth, but that doesn’t mean we step on others in the process. We can’t simply talk about spiritual principles; we must live them out to the best of our ability. We can do better! Others are not necessarily looking for us to get everything right, but we can no longer pretend that we don’t have some wrong. I love Jesus followers, but sometimes I hate the things we do.