As believers we must be careful not to fall into the trap of being surface level; making sure our exterior appears clean and free of stain while ignoring the ugly self that far too often controls our words and actions. So often unbelievers refuse to respect so called "believers" because they try to make themselves appear to be something they are not. We are not believers because of what we do or do not do, we are believers because of what Jesus freely did for us. We do not earn the status of "believer" because of our ability to refrain from sin. We are redeemed by His blood, saved by His grace, and led by His Spirit. We do not need to be better people, we need to be born again. What the world needs less of is churches full of reformed individuals and more of churches filled with reborn individuals.