Objection: How does your god define greatness in his “followers”, considering most of his followers are shameless hypocrites?

Response:

In 1 Corinthians 3, the Apostle Paul chastises the Corinthian church for their worldly behavior, labeling them as carnal. He lists the reasons they are indistinguishable from non-believers: bitter disputes, covetousness, and internal divisions. Paul addresses their spiritual immaturity, saying, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as babes in Christ.”

He acknowledges them as brethren, part of God’s family, yet highlights the issue: they possess the Holy Spirit but act not as spiritual beings but as carnal, akin to immature Christians.

My friend, the authenticity of one’s following of the Lord Jesus Christ is not my debate. I implore you to align with God, recognizing our inherent sinfulness and transgressions against His commandments. Despite our efforts to be virtuous, the Apostle Paul reminds us, “There is none good, no, not one.” The gospel is this: Jesus Christ embodies goodness, and salvation comes through His righteousness alone. God promises a new heart and His Spirit within us.

Finally, consider how you perceive them, and what defines greatness. Paul advises the Galatians in chapter 5:

“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Actions indeed speak volumes about one’s character, and it’s wise to always bear this in mind.

True greatness is found in love that persists even when it is not reciprocated, in seeking to provide comfort rather than receiving it, and in striving to understand others rather than insisting on being understood. It is about recognizing the divine image in every individual, even those we consider adversaries, and extending love and forgiveness to them. Greatness involves giving discreetly, without seeking acknowledgment or praise, and being quick to seek forgiveness and correct mistakes. It is about uplifting those around us, avoiding selfish ambitions for the greater good.

Such deeds transform us into vessels through which the divine can work, opening the door to miracles when we earnestly seek the divine presence. My own journey from a place of hatred and despair to one of hope and light began with a turn towards the divine, leading me to the teachings of Jesus.

The scriptures affirm this transformative power of seeking the divine: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him, all things were made; without him, nothing was made that has been made.”