Christianity

by Alice Mulford

I am a Christian. A lot of what I have to say has to be heard with the understanding that I am a Christian. That's how religion works, any religion. If we're faithful, loyal, in our religions, then everything we see, hear, say, and do should be in that context. In the context of our religion. With that in mind, I decided I should share something that I wrote a little over a year ago. It was written to explain things to my friends.

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Christianity isn't a secret club allowing only the most pious. Being a Christian isn't about adopting a title when you attend church on Sunday and thank God for your dinner. The journey doesn't end when you accept Christ. Quite to the contrary, the journey only begins there. Christianity isn't easy. Being a Christian means making unpopular decisions, being threatened, being called Narrow-Minded, a Bigot, a Jesus Freak, a Bible-Thumper, and names bad enough for me not to repeat them.

Christianity isn't about being judgemental; who am I to say you're going to Hell? Christians don't have access to the invitation list into Heaven. Despite that, being Christian means understanding that your friends will make choices that you wouldn't, and praying for them instead of standing back, shaking your head, and murmuring, "Poor lost soul." Being Christian is hurting when you see and hear people mocking your God, taking His name in vain, and rejecting Christ. Being Christian means accepting the fact that people think you're crazy, stupid, blind, ignorant, and wasting your life.

Christianity isn't about gay-bashing. Christianity is about love, peace, and acceptance. We are told to love. We are told to spread the good news! We are not told that God hates sinners and that we should, too. We are all sinners, and God loves us and will forgive us if we ask Him to. We are not made to hate; love is the greatest commandment.

Christianity is not about perfection. We all have our weaknesses. None of us are perfect. All of us screw up. Being a Christian is still being human. We don't have it all figured out. We have problems. We struggle. We give things up. Christianity is a lifestyle. You don't take on the name without it meaning something.

I understand that not everyone who takes the name "Christian" means it. People use the name to make themselves look or feel good. I understand that people have, through time and up to today, used the name of Jesus to promote evil. Understand with me that this is not God-approved activity, and we as Christians are not all attached to evil. Understand that my praying for you is not the same as me judging you. It is me loving you.

I don't think I'm better than you. There's no way I could think that. I just want you here with me. I want you to see this. It's so beautiful.

I will not hate you for your decisions. I will continue to invite you to church with me, because I live in Hope. I will continue to pray for you because I know that no matter how far you are from God, He doesn't forget your name, and He waits patiently for you to invite Him back in your life. I will Hurt when you speak out against my God, and I will hurt when you try to make Him into a joke, and I will say to God, "Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do!"

And I will be here for you if you want me to pray with you, and I will understand if this upsets you.

But this is who I am, and I will love you regardless, just as God does.