It would seem that the gulf between what it means to be a Christian and what is acceptable in our society is widening. It is becoming more and more radical for us to live the “normal” Christian life. To express one’s beliefs and faith is often labeled as being intolerant. It often amazes me that those who espouse to be the most tolerant are often the most intolerant of all. It seems that everyone is free to express their own beliefs, no matter how radical they may be, unless they are Christian. If you are Christian and express what you really believe, it is not accepted in our society. Christians have gone to “church” and remained passive for too long. Instead of going to “church”, it is time for Christians to be “The Church.” In an age where intellectualism has educated people “beyond” Christianity, our society has digressed to new depths as old problems have continued to increase. Suicides, Divorce, Drug Addiction, and many other problems have increased. As we have become more “enlightened” our problems have become greater. Since right and wrong are now relative in our society, many don’t seem to have any anchor on which to moor their life. The result is chaos with no unified purpose. Man was not created to self-serve. He was created to help all of creation have fellowship with God. I see many entries on the internet, particularly social media, of people who have been hurt by others who claim to follow Christ. The result has been to throw Christianity out the window because some who have a religious spirit have judged others instead of loving them. This type of religious spirit was the same thing that Jesus confronted while on this earth and that the Holy Spirit inspires Christians today to confront. Religion has never been the way to God. Religion is often man’s idea of how God wants us to be. Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus. It is about receiving a sacrifice because none of us measure up. None of us WILL measure up in the future no matter how much we “learn.” Real Christianity is about receiving Christ and letting Him change us from the inside out. Why are we constantly searching for something that will change us from the outside in? (i.e. education, pop psychology, philosophy, etc.). Man’s best thinking got him into this jam and certainly will not get him out of it. Man, since the beginning of time has rebelled against a truth outside himself that he must adhere to. We like to map our own course. No matter how many times we crash the ship of life into the rocks, we still want to navigate. Christianitysays there is a truth outside of ourselves that is to navigate (guide) us. There are only two choices. We continue to rebel, or we surrender to the truth and live by it. Three things need to be shared in urgency: 1) Don’t let anyone convince you that you are being intolerant for proclaiming and believing in a truth outside of yourself. 2) Love Your Neighbor As Yourself (no matter how difficult he or she may be). Remember, you were very difficult,and God saved you. You didn’t do anything to deserve it and had no merit within yourself. God loved you simply because he did. Be radical enough to love others that way. The only way to truly love others in that way is to spend time with God who loves them unconditionally just as he loves you. True love for others is an overflow of His Love. Pray for others, worship God, read His Word. 3)Share Truth with Others in Love. Don’t share it if you can’t do it in love. If you do, you will continue to foster that religious spirit that pushes people away from Christ (from God). Share it in Love and watch it change OTHERS. Share it in Love and watch it change YOU.
Radical times call for Radical Faith and Radical purpose.
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