Christians are looked down on in America these days.
We're perceived as judgmental.
We're looked at as hypocrites.
We're told we are mean.
We're called racist and homophobic.
We're narrow minded, if we have a mind at all.
We're stupid and behind the times.
For those who are actual followers of Jesus Christ, those descriptions could not be farther from the truth.
Even casual observers of Jesus Christ's life can only conclude that He was about love and forgiveness; sacrifice and giving. And those who believe He is the Messiah, come down to earth to take the punishment for our sins and then follow His teachings and strive to live their lives accordingly, are authentic Christians. Quite frankly, everyone else just give Christians a bad name.
Authentic Christians ARE NOT:
Westboro Baptist Church. Let me repeat, authentic Christians ARE NOT Westboro Baptist Church. These people are exactly the opposite of authentic Christians.
The KKK who burn crosses and hate
Crusaders forcing people to convert and killing them if they don't
People who apply their own form of morality on society
Authentic Christians are just people who believe we personally are sinners who have broken our relationship with God and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, come to earth to die for those sins. We TRY to live each and every day the way Jesus Christ would want us to live according to His teaching. We don't always succeed. We're human, after all.
We understand that those who aren't yet Christian watch us closely, scrutinizing our lives to see if we are different. And that's OK. It really is because that's the way God wants it. Jesus said we are to go into all the world to be His witnesses. That means we are to live our lives, not separate from, but within society to show we are different. Jesus is the reason we are different.
Please don't judge us when we fail. God doesn't.
When there is disaster anywhere in the world, generally speaking, Christians are the first on the scene with help. Organizations like Samaritan's Purse have disaster relief teams all around the world at the ready to react to earthquakes, floods, tornadoes and other natural disasters. They bring food, shelter and medical attention.
Authentic Christians help people. Pray for people. All people.
We do these things, because of the great grace and mercy shown to us by God, the Father who forgives our sin and guides us through our lives. We do it in response to His great love for us.
Do we always get it right? No way. We fail. We have a bad day. We sin. But, an authentic Christian will not live that way, perpetually failing, sinning. An authentic Christian will recognize their failure, ask for forgiveness, and strive to do better the next time with God's help.
We are praying for America and the world. Yes, we are even praying for the President and the US government.
Why do we do the things we do? Because we want everyone to know the love and forgiveness that comes from believing in Jesus Christ.
Being a Christian doesn't clear your life of troubles. Far from it, But the Christian life and following Christ gives you an advocate with God. Living the Christian life gives you someone who is perpetually with you to help you through life's turbulent times. More importantly, being a Christian means you have a place with God for all eternity.
So, please, when you see someone who identifies themselves as a Christian, by all means, scrutinize their life. Ask them what motivates their life. If they don't identify the two greatest commandments, then maybe, just maybe, they aren't authentic Christians.
I invite any and all comments and questions. Please keep it civil.
John 3:16
For God So Loved the World
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
No comments:
Post a Comment