“Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – a man’s enemies are the members of his own household. But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” – Micah 7:5-7
In recent years, many individuals, especially among the younger generations, have admitted their distrust of organized religion, the result of which has been a decline in those who identify as Christians. Many claim that their mistrust of people who claim to be Christian yet behave in unrighteous ways has caused them to lose faith in God.
Even though Jesus commanded His followers to be loving and selfless towards others, the Scriptures equally reveal that we are not to put too much trust in people, but rather focus on relying on God.
Psalm 118:8 says, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans.”
Jeremiah 17:5 says, “This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.”
Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Even Kingdom-people will let us down. Even the most noble and Godly among us will experience seasons when their human emotions outweigh their righteous qualities. Even the most restrained will lose their patience, even the most compassionate will become cold-hearted, even the most disciplined will fall victim to temptation.
While Jesus reveals that unbelievers will know who His disciples are because of how they love others (John 13:35,) we cannot expect perfection from Christians. Although Christians follow and depend upon a perfect Savior, they will fall short of His same attributes and traits, no matter how hard they try.
Thus lies a double-edge sword.
In Matthew 5:13-16, Christ commands His Church to be salt and light to the world. For those who are weary, troubled, confused, and afraid, the Church – the body of believers – should be the place where the lost can come to receive comfort and hope.
And yet, the Church is full of flawed individuals. Romans 3:23 declares, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The more we make Church about ourselves – our needs, our wants, our desires, our preferences – the less we and others are able to focus on the presence and the goodness of God.
It is important for the Church to continuously point young and newer Christians to Christ. It is vital that the Church remind vulnerable believers that the people who make up the body of Christ are flawed, sinful, and human – but the One whom we follow is perfect in all of His ways.
Our witness to others should not be focused on what we have done, but rather, what God has done for us. Our testimony should not be pointed towards ourselves, but rather, pointed to the Cross. And the beauty of our faith is that our perfect God can use imperfect people to speak His Truth and share His love.
John 3:30 says, “God must become greater; I must become less.”
Thus lies the answer to our double-edge sword… the Lord must increase, and we must decrease.
To newer believers, I offer this encouragement: Romans 3:10 says, “There is no one righteous, not even one.” During challenging circumstances, do not let your impression of Christians become your impression of Christ.
Even really good people will let us down. And when they do, we can cling to the promises made in Micah 7:7, “But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”