How do I overcome my cynicism towards people as I move to get closer to Jesus?
Nobody is perfect. Not you, nor me and suprise, suprise, not even your Alpha table leader!
But there is hope! In the Bible, Paul writes, ” And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor 3:18) And what a glorious hope too! We are being transformed into the likeness of the Only Perfect Man ever to have walked this earth. Seems impossible? Yes it is, and that’s why the Spirit of Jesus, Himself, is transforming us! We are destined for perfection – You, me and your Alpha table leader!
But the very word ‘transformation’ implies we are not there yet!
When a building is being constructed, we don’t really look at the scaffolding and the plain cement walls and base our opinions on it. That would be a bit silly! But we look forward to what it is about to become. And when you got the world’s greatest architect on the case, you know something magnificent is bound to be unveiled!
When we are cynical towards others or looking at them with contempt, we discount the transforming work that Jesus is doing in their lives. You are literally mockingly pointing out to Jesus the bits He hasn’t worked on yet. And I don’t think He needs your help. So spend your time focusing on the mighty work that Jesus achieved on the cross – the restoration of your relationship to God through the forgiveness of your sins and then on the transformation work that He is doing in your life as well as in the lives of those who’ve put their faith in Him.
If you want to understand more about God’s grace towards imperfect people, I recommend you do a study on 1 Corinthians or read C. J. Mahaney’s “Humility”.
