I have realized something great these past few days. I have discovered something amazing. Now that I can understand it, it has opened a whole new way of thinking for me. I think, how silly am I that I didn’t figure this out before. It all began as I was thinking about Christianity in the Country.
Really, it’s not just a religion, it’s a “label.” And there isn’t just one label, there are several and it’s very basically, stereotyping. You see a large percentage of Americans in general consider themselves to be “Christian” then there are they types that call themselves “Born-Again Christians.” There are also countless other names that define these label even more. Mostly it’s distinguishing between the different types of churches themselves. Some would say “I’m a Baptist” or “I am Lutheran” or “I’m a Multi Denominational.” These labels don’t really matter that much to the world around us, they are just categorized in the “high strung, nuisance, preachy person” category of personality types. I try very hard to live my life as an “example” of Christ. I want people to get to know me and know that there is something different about me; I want them to wonder about it, but I don’t want it to be so obvious that I am labeled as a “fanatic.” There is definitely a place for “fanatic” Christian’s in the world. I am not trying to put them down however; I think that sometimes that approach isn’t the right one for some people. Some people can be turned off by it, and thus lost to Christ all together. One encounter, one snide remark, one judging glance can harden a persons heart forever. How is it that even some pastors can’t seem to distinguish between nudging in the right direction, and pushing someone away? They try so hard to “lay down the law” that Christ’s heart of Love is extinguished in them and they turn into a fundamentalist nag to everyone around them.
1 Timothy 1:3-7 “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”
I do think that Christ wants us to preach his word, I know it actually, and it’s biblical truth. Christ wants us to go throughout the world and spread his message of Love.
Romans 12:9-21 9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[a] Do not be conceited.
17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[b]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[c] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Where in there does it say to smack people upside the head with your religion?? It’s the hypocritical Christians out there that talk the talk but don’t walk the walk that are ruining the chances that the rest of us have for actually bring people to the truth about this Earth! Do us all a favor, if you want to be considered a Christian,
Luke 10:27
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind' ; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' "
So, all that said, that part really had nothing to do with what I realized the other day! I realized that Christ is the ONLY perfect person, man that has ever lived on the Earth! No, that actually isn’t what I realized, I knew that part…. what I hadn’t put together yet was that because of that fact, I CANNOT expect anyone else on the Earth to be perfect! We are not capable! When I get upset about some minimal imperfection in someone, I need to accept it as just that, no one is perfect. If I want to have a relationship with someone who will never let me down I have to have that relationship with Christ Himself. So, after all these years of perhaps “substituting” humans for that need of a perfect person in my life I have suddenly come to the realization that I was looking for perfection in the wrong place. Shame on me. I should have known. After all it is clearly written that:
1 Peter 1:18-20 (New International Version) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake.
So, here’s to a new way of looking at my life and the lives of others around me. I also hope that others will grant me the same liberty. I have really always known this, and it probably sounds stupid to some, but I just hadn’t thought of it in this exact way before. That being said I am feverishly aiming towards a better relationship with Him, and I know that I will NOT be disappointed! I hope that anyone who reads this and doesn’t know Jesus yet, to think really hard about this and what He promises to do for you. It’s not just a matter of salvation, though that is the point of Him coming, it’s a matter of a life long companion, a relationship that will never let you down, His cell phone batteries are never out of juice!!
Footprints
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.
This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.
The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.
Carolyn Carty, 1963
