Love

Now, I mentioned in my first blog that I am a Christian. Considering that this blog is about my thoughts, I should probably share some of my thoughts on my faith.

Now you should now that my beliefs have changed quite a bit the last few months. I really began to think about things and figure out what I myself believed and where I stood on certain issues. I must admit my beliefs underwent some definite morphing; that's part of what inspired me to start this blog. Mainly, my point of view on certain things shifted and my understanding became clearer.

To start, I do believe in the foundational Christian beliefs: In Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. I believe man has sinned against God and deserve punishment. But I also believe that God and Jesus loved us enough for Jesus to come and die so he could give us his perfection as our own to be saved from separation from God.

Now, I also believe that Jesus did not come to earth to teach us morals. The only thing Jesus taught was love. A lot of Christians seem to get caught up in a checklist of do's and don'ts. They seem to think that in order to be "good Christians" they need to check off all these things on their spiritual checklist. I believe the only thing Jesus taught Christians to do was love. That was it. That was his essential teaching. But a fair number of Christians today seem to be more worried about making it to church on Sunday than stopping and helping the car stranded on the side of the road. That's backwards!!! That's not Christianity. That is religion. Yes, the two are different. Religion is a list of do's and don'ts for us to follow to get to heaven. Christianity is about love: the love of Christ for us and the love we should have for others. It's about what he did to save us not what we do to save ourselves our earn God's favor.

When Jesus was on earth, he spent time with all the "sinners". He only ever chastised the church. Why? Because the church didn't know how to love! Jesus' message, his teachings are all about love! They're not about doing this and not doing that. That was Moses. Jesus came to free us from the do's and don'ts by showing us that love is the answer. Love is what the gospel is all about, what Christianity is all about.

There is something worse than losing your virginity. There is something worse than being a homosexual. These is something worse than breaking one of the ten commandments. There is something worse than missing church on Sunday. The worst thing a Christian, or anyone at that matter, can do is get so caught up in "being good" that they forget to love. Love is the most important thing in life and not loving is the only thing Jesus would not tolerate.

Now, I am in no way trying to discredit or accuse Christians. I don't think they are bad people, I don't think they are idiots or willful twisters of the gospel. That is not at all what I am saying. The only thing I am saying is that I think that often the gospel is not clearly or (in some situations) accurately presented by the Church.

And I am not saying that I know everything and have it all figured out. I most certainly do not. The only thing I am trying to do is share what I have recently discovered about the Christian faith as I understand it. This blog is simply my humble opinion and limited understanding. I advise you take this post with a grain of salt and come to your own conclusion.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
-John 3:16-17
 

 "“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

-Luke 10:41-42

"Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown."
-Luke 7:47

 ^"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself."
-Matthew 22:37-39

So, today, instead of worrying about not committing this sin or forgetting to do that good thing, just love. Love your parents. Love your kids. Love your friends. Love the stranger you pass on the sidewalk. Love that person who annoys you. Love, and remember Jesus, the embodiment of true love.