Does “Christianity” in America today give an accurate representation of who Jesus really was? And more importantly, are you willing to let the hypocrisy you see in professing “Christianity” today keep you from following and loving Jesus with your whole heart?
By definition, a Christian is one who believes and follows the teachings and examples of Christ based on their dependence upon him as Lord and Savior. In an attempt to answer this question, we will compare the teachings and life of Jesus to the actions and attitudes of the majority of American “Christians” to truly see if Jesus has changed these Americans into Christians, or if these “Christians” have changed Jesus into an American.

1. Jesus was homeless and poor

Would you have known this truth by looking at the life of his followers today? A man approached Jesus, telling him that he wanted to follow him, “And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.”(Matthew 8:20). Jesus humbled himself to the lowest men in his generation and culture, never trying to climb any “ladders” or gain any approval or success. He did this as a pattern, to show his followers that their life should be a life of giving, of doing without so that others may prosper.
While the poor may be talked about and looked on with pity, do the followers of Jesus in our country today take to heart the fact that their Savior and Lord was a poor, homeless man, and that he commissions them, as his followers, to feed, clothe, visit, and comfort the poor and needy of our land (Matt. 25:31-46)? Perhaps to the surprise of many, it is not recorded in the Bible that Jesus said giving money to others to do this work would suffice to fulfill this commission. While there are Christians who indeed follow Jesus in this respect, it cannot be ignored that the vast majority of American “Christians” are quite comfortable with their lifestyle and really don’t have the time to be bothered by the “down-and-outers”. This attitude of indifference is not of Christ, but of America.

2. Jesus was not materialistic

“My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)ß “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth?for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matt. 6:19-21). “Ye cannot serve God and mammon (money)” (Matt. 6:24).
A life dedicated to Jesus is a life of self-denial. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” In our land of opportunity, wealth, and luxury, you will not be hard pressed to find many, many “Christians” who’s lives are full of comfort, ease, and toys. Can a professing follower of Jesus, who’s prime ambition and drive in their life is their career and retirement fund, honestly say they are following Jesus in a life of self-denial? Jesus once told a story of a rich man and a poor man, and what they faced in the afterlife. “And he (the rich man) cried and said, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus (the poor man), that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.” But Abraham said, “Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” This truth cannot be ignored any longer; a life of ease and “me-first” will lead to an afterlife of torment and anguish.

3. Jesus’ prime objective was to please God

“And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” (John 8:29)ß “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” (John 5:30)ß “My meat (sustenance) is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” (John 4:34)
The driving force behind Jesus’ very existence was to please and bring glory to the Creator of all things seen and unseen, God. We can easily gather this from the words he spoke, the life he lived, and the death he died. By naming Jesus as Lord and continuing in a life of self-will instead of God’s will, American “Christians” are following a Jesus who is happy with any tiny portion of your life your willing to give him. Jesus said, “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33) Speaking of the Judgment Day, Jesus warned a group of people saying, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21)

What about you?

Was Jesus an American? Of course not. Have Americans made a Jesus to fit their lifestyle? Many have. Under the guise and false security of calling America a “Christian Nation”, the majority of “Christians” have deceived themselves into thinking that including Jesus in their pursuit of the “American Dream” will give them a great life here on earth and a great afterlife in heaven. Have you forsaken all for Jesus? Will you receive his gift of forgiveness of sins through his sacrifice on the cross? Would you believe on him with your whole heart to save you from sin and death, to make you a new creature here on earth, fit for an afterlife in heaven? Will you, even now, seek to follow the real Jesus, regardless of the cost in this life? Please, don’t let the inconsistencies of others keep you from Jesus.