✌🏼 Where Has American Christianity Missed The Boat?
My Response To A Subscriber Question
Here’s a question in response to this recent post:
Question: Reading your last email this morning could you help me in response to a list that comes to your mind where we have missed the boat in Christianity? Whatever the outcome of this election Christians’ hearts and non-Christians, need to turn more toward God and Jesus’s teaching… please help me get started with some of these ideas… would you share a few?
1. Making Disciples by Teaching Them to Follow and Obey All Jesus Commanded
The American Church has seen a decline for decades, but that slide sped up after 2016, when Christianity seemed to become more about political influence than about making disciples. Making disciples is supposed to be our top priority, but instead, we’re better at creating and vilifying “enemies” made of flesh and blood. That’s not the real battle.
Reflection: Who are you personally discipling? Are you helping others learn to live and obey what Jesus taught?
Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8, Colossians 1:27-29, 1 Corinthians 9:19-20
2. Loving Your Neighbor as Yourself
Somehow, “love your neighbor” has become controversial, like it’s a liberal agenda. We twist verses about “speaking the truth in love” (which is supposed to be about believer-to-believer interactions) to justify harsh condemnation of those who don’t know Christ. God’s kindness is what leads to repentance—not our self-righteousness. Compassion for the lost isn’t weak; it’s strength.
Challenge: Who’s someone you struggle to love? How can you show them compassion instead of condemnation this week?
Romans 2:4, Matthew 22:37-40
3. Loving Your Enemies
Jesus didn’t just suggest we tolerate our enemies—He told us to love them with the same high love we’re supposed to have for God and our neighbor. Yet today, that’s often the first thing thrown out the window. People act like loving enemies is somehow anti-Christian. But Jesus made it crystal clear that loving our enemies is non-negotiable.
Reflection: Who do you view as an “enemy”? What can you do to show them love or pray for them, even if it’s hard?
Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-28
4. Rejecting Pride and Selfishness
Jesus told us to deny ourselves and serve others, but much of today’s Christianity is wrapped up in protecting our own rights, wealth, and comfort. When was the last time you heard a sermon on denying yourself for the good of others, or on sacrificing for someone outside our circles? Instead, we celebrate those who flaunt pride and selfish ambition. While abortion is not something to ignore, consider how often you hear about helping anyone outside our circles other than the unborn. We elevate as heroes those who exemplify selfish arrogance rather than Jesus-like humility.
Challenge: What’s one way you can put aside your own rights or comfort to serve someone else this week?
Philippians 2:3-4, Matthew 16:24-25
5. Seeking the Kingdom First
“On earth, as it is in heaven” doesn’t mean we use earthly methods, tactics, and attitudes to force Jesus’ standards on others. Jesus’ Kingdom is not of this world. He didn’t tell us to impose it—He told us to seek it, live it, and show others the Way.
Reflection: Are you trying to change the world through earthly power, or are you showing the world what the Kingdom looks like?
John 18:36, Matthew 6:33, Colossians 3:1-4
6. Guarding Our Words and Attitudes
Words matter. Jesus said we’d give an account for every careless word, yet somehow, Christian rhetoric has gotten ugly, angry, and divisive. “Speaking truth” isn’t a license for degrading hostility.
Challenge: How are your words reflecting Jesus? What can you do to show grace in your conversations today?
Matthew 12:36-37, Ephesians 4:29-32, Colossians 3:8
7. Humility over Hypocrisy
Jesus had a lot to say about religious hypocrisy. Yet, for many, the Christian walk has become more about projecting an image than about real humility and sacrifice. We’re more concerned about appearances than obedience, while Jesus calls us to walk humbly and genuinely with God.
Reflection: Is there an area where you might be wearing a mask instead of being real with God and others?
Matthew 23:1-12, Micah 6:8
8. Servant Leadership vs. Power Structures
Jesus showed that leadership is about serving others, not seeking power. But instead of servant leaders, we’re following people obsessed with status and control. True leadership lowers itself to lift others up.
Challenge: Think of one way you can lead by serving this week. How can you put others first?
Mark 10:42-45, John 13:14-15
9. Honoring the Marginalized (Least of These)
Jesus prioritized the marginalized, the outcasts, and the hurting. Meanwhile, many Christians today align with the powerful or the rich, ignoring those Jesus called “blessed.” We’re supposed to be known by our compassion and care for those in need.
Reflection: Who are the marginalized in your life or community? How can you honor them as Jesus would?
James 1:27, Luke 4:18-19, Matthew 25:34-40
10. Prioritizing People over Programs
The early Church grew through relationships and community, not flashy programs or buildings. Yet, in modern Christianity, programs often take precedence over investing in actual people.
Challenge: Who’s one person you can prioritize this week instead of your usual routines?
Acts 2:42-47, Hebrews 10:24-25
11. Justice and Mercy over Judgment
Jesus called out religious leaders who prioritized minor rules over the big stuff like justice and mercy. But today, we often rush to judge while ignoring the injustices that God cares about.
Reflection: Are you quick to judge or to extend mercy? Where is God calling you to seek justice for others?
Matthew 23:23, Micah 6:8, James 2:13
12. True Worship vs. Idolatry
Jesus made it clear: you can’t serve both God and money, but today, money, power, and influence often take center stage. True worship means having no other gods—no divided loyalties.
Challenge: What’s one distraction you need to let go of to refocus on true worship?
Matthew 6:24, Exodus 20:3, 1 John 5:21, James 1:27
13. Unity in Christ, Not Division by Politics
The Church is supposed to be united in Christ, not divided by partisan loyalties. Instead, many Christians let politics take priority, even to the point of tearing down fellow believers.
Reflection: Are you letting politics dictate your relationships? How can you put Christ above division this week?
Ephesians 4:3-6, John 17:20-23, Romans 14:1-4
14. Trusting in God, Not Human Solutions
Too many Christians put their faith in human systems and leaders over the ultimate sovereignty of God. But our hope doesn’t come from any human solution—it comes from Him alone.
Challenge: What’s one area where you’re tempted to trust in human power over God’s? How can you release that and trust Him instead?
Psalm 146:3-5, Jeremiah 17:5-8, Proverbs 3:5-6
Certainly not trying to say I’m some shining example of any of this, but I’m committed to living it, pursuing it, and calling out any false doctrine or practice that cheapens the sacrifice Jesus made to show us the Way into that Kingdom. This isn’t about playing church games or joining the next big movement. It’s about getting back to what Jesus taught—no compromises, no shortcuts, just the real-life, radical way He showed us.
1 John 2:4-6 (NET)
The one who says “I have come to know God” and yet does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in such a person. But whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has been perfected. By this we know that we are in him. The one who says he resides in God ought himself to walk just as Jesus walked.