Christianity isn’t about condemnation. It isn’t a list of do’s and don’ts, nor is it solely for the purpose of not going to hell. Christianity is about a Holy God taking our place and receiving our punishment. It is about a God who loves so deeply that he would become the very thing he hates; sin, to save a people who did not deserve saving.
It’s About Love
No matter how good you are or how many acts of service you accomplish, you will never measure up to deserving what Jesus did for you. Christianity is about desiring to honor God with your life which means we strive to live holy lives and obey his commands; because we love him, not because we fear hell. The closer we get to him, the more we love him, and the more we love him, the more we reflect his love.
If we were truly reflecting and shining the light and love of God, people would be flocking to the church. Love is reaching out to help the hurting, whether that be finances, sickness, or emotional hurt. It is forgiving when someone doesn’t deserve forgiveness and not holding grudges. It is speaking the truth in love and at the appropriate time.
God’s Love Brings Repentance
Love is caring that the lost don’t know the hope that is Jesus and choosing to do something about it. God’s love is what will bring about repentance. Yes, the lost need to see their sin and never need to think they are safe staying in it, but what will allow them to get to the place of being told this, is the love of God. This is where we, as Christians, come in.
All Flesh is the Same
Let’s admit it, it is hard to withhold judgment. We all have preconceived ideas about people. We see a young pregnant girl, and we have thoughts about her character. A man or woman with tattoos all over their body may make us uncomfortable. We may judge the person whose every other word is a curse word.
But the truth is, our flesh is no holier than theirs. Our spirits are perfectly holy, but our flesh never will be because sin has tainted it. Therefore, we must renew our minds so we can bring our bodies under subjection. We must start comparing our holiness to God’s instead of each other. When we do this, it begins to get easier to lose the holier-than-thou attitude so we can fully show God’s love.
Draw Near to God
If we want revival, we must draw closer to God, fill up with his love and pour it out on a hurting world. We must get out of our private club mentality and leave the four walls of the church. It is time to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To heal the sick, go after the lost, and provide for those in need.
Let’s commit to quit judging by outward appearance and instead judge the heart. We may see how someone is acting, but we most likely don’t know all the awful things that led them to that place. We don’t know what led the drug addict to their addiction or the drunkard to their misery, but God does, and God still loves them.
Let’s not forget that he died for the worst sinner and took their sin upon himself. It is time to make Christianity look like love. Let’s lose the condemnation and judgment and see the unsaved the way God does, as his precious sheep who he chases after. Let’s feed his sheep, heal his sheep, and help lead them back to the safety of their shepherds’ arms.
Randall Freeman says
Love this post sister!
carrie says
Thank you, Randall!