The Cost of Cynicism

This post comes out of my own conviction today.

There are a lot of followers of Jesus today who have fallen into a trend of being Christian cynics. Those who do this, myself included, find something to criticize about every single Christian we come across. We constantly pick out what is wrong with believers around the world.

I believe that this is happening not because we are hateful, but because we are taking too far the desire to self-evaluate, as well as to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ to reassess their motives, values, and intentions in their walk with God. The problem, however, lies in the fact that there is no perfect human. The more we focus on the negative in others, and in ourselves, the more disappointed and cynical we become. Then the arguing begins. Friends and family turn on each other, and label it "tough love."

There is a time when tough love has its place--I believe that if we are walking with God, we will know when he desires us to rebuke a fellow believer out of love. However, I do not believe that God is glorified or happy when we walk around in a constant state of pessimism and skepticism about other believers, let alone those are not yet saved. God calls us to a hope, found in him through Christ, and whenever we fail to hope in him, and fail to hope that he is working in others, just as we know he is working in us, we are creating more harm then good. The point is, we cannot possibly know how God is working in the hearts of others-and we have no place assuming that he is not. God is a God of all possibilities, and to act in a constant state of cynicism, I believe, is not what he desires for us.

In Paul's letter to Titus, he gives us good practical instructions for living every day:

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of the eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

(3:1-11)


Why is it that we seem to be able to have more grace toward those who do not follow God, and forget to have grace against our fellow believers? Perhaps they know better, yes, but knowledge does not mean a person is less deserving of God's grace. I pray that we can continue to guard our tongues, and our minds from pessimism--because such thoughts will be acted out in our actions.

And what, then, is the cost?