Have you ever been judged by a someone who calls themselves a Christian? I have. As a Christian it upsets me.
Recently I had the opportunity to see the documentary Crave. Crave is a look at how people are open to spirituality but not as open to Jesus Christ. It was interesting to see that many times it was the delivery not the message that turned people off. In the end it was suggested that Christian's take a new approach - start by listening to other people's stories.
For me this is nothing new. I have always struggled with the ability to create opportunities to share my faith. Often I have been put off myself by people who need to always preach at others. This just made me feel that they were judging me, which is in conflict with loving others and loving one another is truly what Christ is all about.
Often times religion seems to pop up in a conversation. Many people seem shocked to discover that I am a Christian. Mostly because I'm not a bible thumping, finger pointing kind of person. I firmly believe that we are to be in the world, loving each other.
Doesn't mean we have to condone lifestyles that don't line up with biblical principles. However it is not our job to judge. Only God has the right to determine who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. It's just our job to love them and demonstrate our faith in the way we live.
In my opinion, judging others because they don't know Christ or live a lifestyle contrary to biblical principles demonstrates a lack of knowledge of what Christ was all about. Christ hung with the lowest of the low in his day. He broke bread with them. Healed them. Shared His life with them. Yet today, many Christians are no better than the Sadduccees or Pharisees who missed the point. They got hung up in the rules. The very rules that Christ came to save them from.
When challenged on what commandment was most important Christ responded "Love your neighbour as yourself and love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind." Think about it, if you do these two things could you really break one of the ten commandments? Furthermore, aren't the ten commandments really common sense? Some of them are even laws!
If you're a Christian I challenge you to think about how you react to people that don't believe in God. Do you shun them? Do you listen to their story? Do you ask what they believe in? Do you try to understand them and the objections they may have to Christianity?
If you're not a Christian, contact me. I'd like to hear what you believe and why. I promise not to preach at you. I would like to share with you my story if you're willing to listen.
