Christianity: More Than A Religion

Acceptance

Acceptance. This is something we should all be doing but I feel like so many of us miss it. So many of us even in the Christian faith do not know what to do when getting into a conversation with someone who has a different belief. With all the wars going on, it can cause a lot of hatred. Maybe even some of us HATE people who have different beliefs than us. But why should we hate people who have a different belief than us? Everyone is taught to believe in something whether you believe in religion or you are an atheist. We are all taught a certain way.

What so many of us don't understand is people with different beliefs are people too. All we do is see their religion and we assume that they are this kind of person without even getting to know them or we just hate them because they do not agree with us on some things. Even today I see the church as having problems with this. If someone comes to church and acts different than the "Average Christian" people might start judging him because the person has to act like this or that. No! We don't have to act like someone we are not. We should be ourselves because that's who Jesus loves. He doesn't want a fake you. He wants the real thing. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come". If we are  in Christ, he changes us. We don't have to change ourselves because he does the working. Overtime people will even recognize the change in you! So to all the Christians out there and to the churches, accept. No matter what religion someone is or how the person acts, accept. That is what Jesus commands us to do.

But how should we act? People miss this so much yet it is so simple. Just look at the way Jesus lived. There is a reason the Bible talks about his life and how he did miracles but search deeper. You can find out how Jesus acted towards people with different beliefs. Yes, he was actually friends with those people! He kept his own beliefs while also understanding the beliefs of others. He taught but he didn't force his teachings on others. Even with all these other people believing in different things he stayed close to what he believed in. Through it all he showed love to those people even if they didn't deserve it. He ACCEPTED.

This is such an important topic to talk about because I feel like we get further and further away from what Jesus is trying to tell us. With this story its attracted more than just Christians and I'm glad because I get to see people of other religions enjoying this too and we can engage in conversation! It is sad that there is so much hatred and violence currently but even with all that is going on SHOW LOVE! ACCEPT! Romans 15:7 says "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God". I see this as welcoming not just Christians but also the people who aren't Christian, to everyone. I don't care what religion you are or what you believe in, you are accepted.