So it started like this: an Anon friend of mine made a comment that he was going to go watch a Dexter marathon.
I jokingly said, “You say you’re a Christian but you watch those terrible shows. You must not really be saved.”
Then inspiration hit me.
Let's play a game! Let's come up with all the ways Xians downplay the salvation of those who don't fit the mold. You're #NotReallySaved
— Xian Satirist (@TheXianSatirist) February 22, 2014
Let’s face it ~ we’re masters at belittling the salvation and faith of those who don’t fit our own mold of what it looks like to be a Christian.
Then the game took off like wildfire. Dozens of people jumped in and came up with hundreds of ways we belittle others’ salvation. Here’s but a small sample of some of the things we came up with.
You say you're a Xian but you like beer. You're #NotReallySaved.
— Xian Satirist (@TheXianSatirist) February 22, 2014
If you cuss so much the paint peels off the walls you're #NotReallySaved
— Dr. Church Judge (@ChurchJudge) February 22, 2014
You say you're an Xian but you got pregnant out of wedlock. You're #NotReallySaved
— Jennifer McSparin (@mcjennn) February 22, 2014
You say you're a Xian but you got divorced? You're #NotReallySaved
— Xian Satirist (@TheXianSatirist) February 22, 2014
If you listen to Metal music, you're #NotReallySaved
— Jared Vander Meulen (@TwoLastNamesGuy) February 22, 2014
You say you're a Xian but you smoke weed? You're #NotReallySaved.
— Xian Satirist (@TheXianSatirist) February 22, 2014
The list went on and on. In fact, people are still playing it today! Some are jokes (and quite funny). Some are serious. It’s clear to me that many people have been hurt by others who claim to be Christian but, for whatever reason, don’t allow certain behaviors to be part of their theological circles.
Most of the list really comes down to this:
You say you're a Xian but you disagree with my interpretation of the Bible? You're #NotReallySaved
— Xian Satirist (@TheXianSatirist) February 22, 2014
And that’s a shame. The Bible is actually not as black-and-white about all of these side issues as Christians are. Salvation really comes down to faith in Jesus. Can you smoke weed and have a saving faith in Jesus? Can you vote a certain political party and have a saving faith in Jesus?
I think so.
In the end the “You’re not really saved” lists that we all have come down to us – what we dislike or disapprove of. Don’t get me wrong – the Bible does talk about sin and Christian behavior. But we seem to add a lot of things to the lists.
Won’t we be surprised when we reach eternity and find people who didn’t live the way we wanted them to live?
If you’ve ever had your salvation doubted because of this or other issues – I’m sorry. Christians mean well (usually) but we have a horrible way of judging anything that doesn’t fit our mold.
And if you’ve ever doubted or questioned the salvation of someone else because of some behavior you disapproved of it’s time to repent. The condition of someone’s salvation is really up to God.
