Not Of This World

I am a Christian. I love Jesus with my whole heart, soul and mind. I fail Him often. I stumble. I am not perfect, but I know Jesus is forever with me. No matter how many times I want to give up. No matter how many times I am laughed at or made fun of for my beliefs. No matter how many tears are shed because sometimes telling people about the Gospel can not only be joyful, but also painful. Painful because not everyone else views the Gospel as the most glorious thing and the most precious gift God has given man-kind. But instead, the world mocks you, spits in your face, tells you you're close-minded, raid your homes, kill your loved ones and may even kill you for standing up for the Kingdom that has been established by the Prince of Peace, King Jesus.

I've been thinking a lot lately. A lot about where my country is heading. My stomach churns at seeing some of the things that are going on in the news. How the Christian voice is being silenced in our government. How Christianity is considered offensive. How people hate Christians because they believe we are judgmental which is hypocrisy because in turn, they are judging us. Yes, we are human too, but we have come to realize the Truth. Being a Christian doesn't instantly mean we become perfect people, but instead its a public statement that we have seen our own sin and understand that we need forgiveness from the Way, the Truth and the Life...that being through Jesus' sacrifice on that cross. The only perfect person. The Son of God. The perfect sacrifice. In trusting that He is the only way for salvation, we bear our own crosses, deny ourselves and try to lead in Jesus' example within our everyday lives. To stand up for the Truth and to proclaim the same Words that Christ had spoken.

However, the older I get, the more I come to realize how tough it is to be a stranger in a foreign land. I am not home. This world is not my home. My heart breaks because people that don't know Christ will never understand. Will never empathize with you on your views. Will think that you hate instead of love. For example, if I ever tell someone I don't approve of homosexuality, I would be considered anti-gay, a hater, an extremist, too close minded. But in saying that about me without even knowing me or asking me why, aren't you the one judging me? Aren't you the real hater? Aren't you the real extremist?

Just because I don't agree with someone does not mean I hate them. If anything, I am called to love. The real Christian would know this and live this out. The real open minded person would open the Bible and see for themselves why Christians believe what we do and what Christ has called us to do.

The more I hear the things happening in our world, the eerier it gets because everything that Christ has talked about is coming true. The world hates us for Him (John 15:18-19).