For the Love of Christ!

What happens when someone mentions the word Christianity to you? Or Jesus, Church or the Bible? Do you cringe internally, or externally? Do you smile politely at the hypocrite in front of you,nod and retreat? I used to, as a matter of fact, I all but ran! Feeling judged by people, people who are no better than me is NOT my cup of tea! Here we will take a look at some common misconceptions about Christianity and Christ himself in an effort to learn what it is we are running from in our lives. Christ isn't a HYPOCRITE! . So why are his followers?!? Most people are far from Christlike! Being a christian does NOT make a person perfect, and sadly many "Christians" while aware of Christs plight to embrace his many brothers and sisters in Love,find it difficult to break the habit of judgement. Christ never encourages his family to Judge one another, we are ALL broken people,none are whole,Christian or otherwise. You should not feel judged by Christ, even when some of his people aren't doing their best to show his love, it still exists. Those Christians that preach and wag there fingers in your face telling you to repent your sins or you will burn are broken people, confused and lost.

Every man and woman on this Earth is a sinner, we all fall short of Glory by firstly not understanding what those sins really are and where they come from, misconceptions fly at every turn and sin changes in magnitude from person to person.

And don't forget, there are an incredible amount of people who call themselves Christians, and lets just say it, they aren't! They are wolves in sheeps' clothing! It may seem like religious mythology but Demons are real and they love to use people to turn seekers away from the true Christianity, what better way?!? If Santa Clause had slapped you as a child would Christmas have been an experience you got excited about? I doubt it. Knowing God, Knowing Jesus? Down 'n' dirty! I know this information will shock a lot of people, so sit down and brace yourself. Jesus hung with a bunch of losers. Plain and simple truth, this isn't supposed to be a secret, the church you go to(or shy away from) may not want you to know this, but it is fact. Jesus found his first friend among the unwanted, unskilled and "unworthy". Men who had been told "go and learn your fathers trade." This was a write off back then, hearing this phrase meant you were educated, tested and found wanting in the eyes of the religious leaders of the period. Jesus himself was told, "go and learn your fathers trade." Carpentry,you may recall. Jesus is still recruiting, and he already knows your darkest secrets, loves you anyway and wants to make you whole again. The only problem is that you may not yet know him, not personally, which is the only way. YOU CANNOT KNOW JESUS FROM WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD! He wants you to give him the chance to show you his Grace! One Tremendous way to start is by simply asking! Tell Jesus that you want to know him, he is waiting for the invitation! And remember, your past sins do NOT stand in the way of you having a loving relationship with Him!

Remember! 1 Peter 4:8
Above all love fervently, because LOVE covers a multitude of sins!Christianity is not SCARY Oh yeah?!? Well, what about HELL?!?O.K. that's a good question, I am by no means a Bible scholar, I'm only a baby Christian having found my Faith 4 years ago on Easter day. I have a lot to learn myself, but I have to say, with a willing heart, the answers come. I had a lot of questions, and I had a lot of my own feelings about things. Hell was one of those things that I felt strongly misled about.

Am I a Hypochristian? Is it time to self-evaluate? Brothers and Sisters in Christ, how do YOU share the beauty and love you have found in the Arms of your ABBA? Did you realize that so many non believers have been turned away from Christ not through their own actions, but through ours?!?

Do you look like Jesus, or does Jesus look like you?

Christ is counting on us! We represent him here on this Earth! Every person we see, sees our version of Christ! If they don't already know him, are you driving them further away? How do you reflect your savior? These are questions every single Christian needs to ask himself time and time again.

A good way to start is to examine our behavior towards our family, not just our Church family, but the people we are literally related to. Remember, God chose your family for you for a reason! Even your drug addicted, jobless,waste of flesh brother Johann; please don't think I'm really talking directly to you, even if you do happen to have the aforementioned brother Johann, who spends all his time trash talking your Mom! He is your family, and your responsibility! What we tend to forget when we see these broken ;YES, that's what they are, and you would be too without Jesus,people is that they are hurt and confused and in need of love and guidance to grow and bloom.

"I GAVE Johann love and guidance, hes still a nimrod!"

Okay, time to discuss a VERY common misconception.

1) Love does NOT equal
A. Judgment: "You're gonna rot in Hell for that one!"
B. Impatience: "Can't you ever get this right?"
C. Blame: "Everything bad in this family is your fault!"
D. Discipline: "You will follow the commandments!"
E. Punishment: "Somebody ought to knock your head off!"

2) LOVE equals
A. Patience: How many times has God forgiven you for repeated mistakes?
B. Kindness: Everyone deserves this, it is not "reward for good behavior". Treat it as something that cannot be earned or lost, it is your duty to give it to all who you come in contact with. I cannot express enough the importance of this. A kind heart glows with Gods own light, and like moths to a flame, his lost children will gather to you!
C. Tolerance: I understand how difficult it can be to see someone cause hurt to those you care for, but an iron fist will, not change their heart. You have to change a heart from the inside, and to do that you must first find your way inside.
D. Forgiveness: see 2-A