Mean Christians

By Allen White


“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”


Jesus answered, “Those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet; their whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you.” For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean. John 13:9-11


Have you ever wondered why Christians can do such outrageous things? How can people belong to Christ and be so mean to other people? How can they knock other people down to put themselves ahead? How can they do what they do when no one else is looking? Maybe they’re not Christians at all.


Peter jumps from refusing Jesus to asking for the full spa treatment. Jesus took the opportunity of Peter’s impulsivity to reveal a spiritual truth.


Those who belong to Christ are spiritually clean (Hebrews 9:14). But, not everyone in the group necessarily belongs to Christ. Even among the twelve only eleven genuinely belonged to Christ. Judas did not.


Some would say that Judas had belonged to Christ and backslid. Others would say that Judas never chose Christ, or that Christ had never chosen Judas. Either way, in the end, Judas was out. Could he have repented? Absolutely. Did he? We don’t know. Was Judas following God’s will by betraying Jesus?


We know from prophecy and from Jesus Himself that His betrayal would take place. If Judas hadn’t betrayed Jesus, then someone else would have. Did God create Judas solely to betray Jesus? Honestly, I don’t think it’s that cut and dry. Often when we simplify the complexity of God’s work, we make God to be less than who He is.


So, where are you today? Have you surrendered your heart and life to God? Do you belong to Christ? Or do you just fit into the church culture? Being in church doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a barn makes you a cow or being in a hangar makes you a pilot.


But, how do you really know that you’re saved? Have you prayed to receive Christ? (Romans 10:9-10) Do you have a desire to follow Christ? (Ephesians 2:1-5) If you don’t, then that would be something to pray about.


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