"Father forgive them for they know not what they do." These were some of the last words Jesus uttered from the cross. Here I sit today and say the same exact words, except with myself included. Father forgive us for we know not what we do. Jesus was flawless, blameless, perfect and they crucified Him. We keep doing it, day after day and I am so ashamed.
I recently had a conversation with a dear friend and learned that a loved one of hers did not believe in God. My heart broke into pieces. Me, being me, prodded to find answers. "Why not???" She said it was explained to her like this. "Why would I believe in a God whose followers are so vicious and mean? Why would I want to be a part of anything who condemns me and spreads hate against me on a daily basis? These are the followers of Jesus? These "Christians" are the ones telling me I'm going to hell because I'm different. These are the people who are supposed to love and not judge? These are the very ones that spread hate all over social media each and every day. And some of them call themselves my friends. I am told I am going to hell because I'm gay. That is God? These are His people? No thank you to that God."
I was speechless. How do you argue against that? They were right. I was ashamed. Ashamed of my people. Ashamed of myself. I wanted to rock and hold this child in my arms and cry out...Dear one, that is not my Jesus! We are simply broken, imperfect people and I'm sure we make Jesus cry daily too.
We have to do better! If we are to call ourselves Christians and claim to be the sons and daughters of the King, then we must DO BETTER! We are called to be LIKE Jesus! We were never once called to judge, to hate, or to make fun of others that are different than us. "Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in his sight." Gay and straight, fat and thin, rich and poor, democrats and republicans. KNOCK IT OFF PEOPLE!
I just read a 370 page book in 5 days because I literally couldn't put it down. In fact, it's one of the best books I've ever read in my life. If you've never read "Where The Crawdads Sing," you must. As I turned the pages and read how horrible this town was to this little girl that lived in the marsh, I couldn't help but think of this world we live in now. We think we've come so far and yet, have we? The north and the south? Sure the war is over but is the hate? Is the war over? Racism is EVERYWHERE! Hate crimes? Political debates? Judgments over who has to wear a mask and who doesn't? Fear constantly spread by the media? Who can have church and what you can do while you are there? Whose fat and whose skinny? Who is beautiful and who is ugly? Who is popular and who isn't? Well I'll answer my question for you. WE ARE ALL UGLY AND I AM ASHAMED. I AM FURIOUS in fact. WE HAVE TO DO BETTER!
You friend, are not Jesus and your opinion of someone else, simply doesn't matter. You are not the judge or the jury but JESUS IS and you will be weighed and measured. Some day, we will have to answer for all the hate, all the lies, all the horrible things we've done, said and thought and you know what? JESUS KNOWS IT ALL! So if you haven't done it yet...REPENT NOW!
If you are calling yourself a Christian, THEN BE ONE! BE LIKE JESUS. BE A FOLLOWER HE'S PROUD TO CALL HIS OWN! Remember His words, "Those without sin, cast the first stone?" Are you without sin??? Well then get those rocks out of your hands and shut your mouths too! SHUT YOUR HATEFUL MOUTHS, stop sharing hate AND start showing LOVE! Be the light that Jesus intended you to be.
Forgiveness is my favorite F word. Without it, I'd be doomed to hell and I know it. I ask God to forgive me each and every morning and night before I close my eyes because I have sinned. We are broken but HE IS WHOLE!
I listened to our sweet priest Joe preach a sermon one day about Jesus being crucified. He explained
that the reason God chose for this horrible thing to happen to His son was because He needed to show us that He was like us. Jesus had to be broken because we have to be broken. We are broken. We had to see His brokenness to be able to identify our own. WE ARE BROKEN!
We are so broken. But folks, Jesus is the super glue. Please, PLEASE stop the hate. If you're not gay, well goody for you but some people just are. If you are beautiful well praise God for that but some have not been blessed with beauty. If you have wealth, you are blessed so don't make fun of those who don't. If you have food to eat, thank your God for your daily bread but give to those you don't. YOUR BLESSINGS DON'T HAVE TO BE RUBBED IN OTHERS FACES AND WERE GIVEN TO YOU TO BE BLESSINGS TO OTHERS!!! Don't you see that?? LOVE!!! LOVE IS THE ONLY WAY.
I don't know that I am necessarily a fan of organized religion for this very reason. So many rules and judgments are passed. My husband was not allowed to be a deacon in a previous church we attended, many years ago because I had been married before. God forgave me but the Baptists wouldn't. That's not Jesus folks. I love the Episcopal Church because everyone is welcome there but don't think for one minute we don't have our problems. We are judged CONSTANTLY and judge as well. It's not okay but we are simply human. We are flawed but we MUST DO BETTER.
I'm not sure I even want to call myself a Christian anymore. It's embarrassing. But I am a follower of Christ and therefore, I am a Christian. I LOVE JESUS AND NONE OF THIS IS OF JESUS. This is nothing but hate and must stop.
So, here's my advice. If you can't say anything nice, SHUT YOUR MOUTH! Mind your own business and stop judging others. If you don't agree with somebody, agree to disagree. You don't have to argue or bash them all over Facebook! If you are going to claim to be a Christian, then act like one! Stop making my Jesus cry! HATE is nothing but pure evil and my Lord is nothing but love. LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Knock it off! NO MORE! Let's make Jesus proud of His people. I beg you. I BEG ME! We all fall short and I'm sure before the day is done I will have made Jesus cry at least once, but I am trying. Please try with me. We are just broken humans but we are His. Be the light. BE THE LIGHT in this dark world. Jesus loves you. ALL OF YOU.
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