Perfect
This is probably the most common stereotypical label placed on anyone who claims to be of Christian faith.
"Oh, you're a Christian. So you think you're perfect."
Are you kidding me? I'm the furthest thing from perfect. I'm a downright sinner. My flaws are huge. But it's because of the awareness of my imperfections that I realize I need God more than anything else in the world. I know that I fall short of his glory every day - that's why I need his grace. I need God for the reason that I am not perfect.
If I thought I was perfect, I would think that I don't need God...so, really, who here thinks they are perfect?
Scripture tells us that all of us fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23); there is not a single human being who can boast about being perfect. I will make mistakes. Everyday I will fail. And that's ok. God doesn't ask perfection of me. He asks for my best effort.
Yes, I am Christian. But I am not perfect. And that is exactly why I need God.
I am a Christian. But I am not...
A Doormat
Many believe that because I am a Christian, I have to "suck it up and take it." Whether it's verbal persecution, or wrongful behaviors towards me, it is believed by the world that I should just "take it." Some non-believers will even quote scripture:
"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." -- Matthew 5:39 (NIV)
"But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." -- Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
"Wives, in the same way, submit yourselves to your own husbands..." -- 1 Peter 3:1 (NIV)
"Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive them." -- Luke 17:4 (NIV)
One of my least favorite things to hear is a non-believer take scripture and pull it out of context. Each of these scriptures, if read or quoted without its entirety, can definitely be made to read as though God expects his faithful believers to be doormats. But, as believers, we know this not to be true of our God. We are God's most treasured possession, the last thing he wants is for us to "stand there and take it."
There is one characteristic I see in each of these scriptures: dignity. I see a quality that is worthy of honor and respect. The easiest thing to do when someone verbally attacks us is to fight back with our own words. When we are wronged, it is effortless to retaliate or seek revenge.
There is no strength behind retaliation. It takes nothing to fight back. The anger within is eager to retaliate. The true strength is found in dignity. The fight against the fight takes true strength.
The strength is in the dignity of our character because we are made in the image of God.
We are not doormats. We are stronger than that. We don't retaliate because we have strength in God's power.
Submission, forgiveness, and love are characteristics of the strong.