Why Remain a Christian When Christians Sin?
by Doy Moyer
Why do we stay faithful to Jesus when so many churches and people do so much wrong?
It’s a common complaint. Here is an elder, a deacon, or a preacher who fell from grace in some way or abused other members. Here is a church that is worldly and selfish, turning a blind eye to its own problems. Here is a church whose leaders hid sin and failed to support the abused. The list goes on, and it’s shame upon shame.
The problem is not new. It is easy to become self-absorbed and fail to see ourselves for who we truly are. Jesus rebuked the Laodiceans, “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17). This can be true of any of us or any church, and when people see the hypocrisy, they might just walk away. Many have.
Why, then, would we stay the course when some Christians and churches do so much wrong?
First, it is a shame that Christians and churches do such wrong. That needs to be called out, and the Scriptures demonstrate that this is necessary. Being Christians certainly does not make us immune to sin and evil.
Second, it is a shame that non-Christians can see and call out the sins of Christians and churches when we don’t. We need to be fair. They don’t all do this just to mock. They see legitimate evils perpetrated by those who claim to follow Christ. They see hypocrisy and want to warn others. That non-Christians can call the evil out, but Christians often won’t, is itself part of the problem. We certainly are not perfect, but we cannot afford to act like the sins of those in the world are awful while our own are no big deal.
Third, there is no justification for Christians and churches doing wrong. We must not overlook that. We need to see sin for what it is and rebuke as needed. There is no softening this. Read Revelation 2-3 to see Jesus’ take on this point. Repentance is a vital part of who we are as Christians, and walking in the light requires that we confess our sins (I John 1:5-10). Let us practice this.
Why, then, do many of us remain Christians and identify with churches, even though Christians and churches can be seriously flawed?
The essential answer is that following Christ is based on the love and grace of God, not the flawed actions of people who make claims that they don’t live up to. We recognize that what we do, how we treat others, how we love, and our unity or disunity can have a negative impact on people and contribute to disbelief (John 13:34-35; John 17:20-21). That’s on us, and we will be held accountable for our actions. Yet that does not change what God did for us and how He demonstrated His love through Christ, a love that is offered even to those who oppose God.
On a personal note, people have asked me if I have ever doubted or struggled with my faith. I have. Deeply. I have witnessed significant mistreatment and sins committed by those in churches. I remember thinking at a critical time of my life, if this is what Christianity is, I want no part of it. My faith was shaken, my heart broken, and my life felt shattered. Why in the world would I want what I was seeing? I sometimes look back and wonder how I managed to make it through. Frankly, had I rested the case for Christ on the actions of people, I never would have continued. I am not unique in such experiences.
I came to realize that the truth about Jesus stands regardless of how people act. Even Paul felt the sting of those who failed to do right. We can hear the pain in his words, “For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me…” (II Timothy 4:10). His deep concern for all the churches was ever present (II Corinthians 11:28). There were those preaching from envy who were trying to do him harm (Philippians 1:15-18). Yet he stayed faithful to the end because of Jesus: “for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” (II Timothy 1:12).
The church at Corinth had significant problems. False apostles were seeking to discredit Paul. Yet, the bottom line for determining faithfulness and persistence is what Christ accomplished. Ultimately, because He was raised from the dead, we have an incentive to stay true to our commitment: “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (I Corinthians 15:58).
While there are many who have hurt others in the body of Christ, and this needs to be seen for what it is, there are also many others who faithfully love and seek to do right. Yet at the end of the day, the final reason to stay faithful is Christ Himself. We must not minimize the sin, but we also must not minimize the Savior!
