One of the most important things that Jesus did during His ministry was to love everyone. As Followers of Christ, we don’t need lists of rules, we need to do this every day or every week. We need to do as Jesus did -love people.
It’s disheartening to me to see how some religious leaders hurt or abuse people in the name of Christ. They shame their members into feeling guilty about that life they are living. I think the essence of Christianity is love. We don’t need to complicate it with a thousand rules. We don’t need to use tools of guilt or shame to manipulate people into conforming people to religion, to demand ultimate obedience with the threat of eternal damnation hanging louver our heads. We can just love each other.
When the disciples asked Jesus what the important stuff was, He said, number one, love God will all your heart, soul, mind and strength. And the second it love your neighbor as yourself.
Many people don’t want anything to do with religion or any part of Christianity because of a religious trauma they experienced or the many horrible things that have been done by people to claim to represent God or act with divinely granted religious authority.
We are all on a spiritual journey to become more like Jesus. We all have unique life stories. As a Christ follower I an aware of my inadequacies to meet the holiness of God. No human being is without sin or wrongdoing. But know God loves each of us and He desires to have an intimate relationship with us, and the relationship is intended to last into eternity.
God created a way for our sins to be paid. The path to forgiveness is not complicated. When we repent and turn away from our wrongs we are forgiven. Jesus came to save us from the trouble that comes to us in this life. Saved literally means the power of God comes in and fixes whatever’s wrong or broken, whatever’s out of line. God straightens it out.
Jesus didn’t die so we could be forgiven an unlimited amount of times. He did so we could be made holy, so He could come and live inside of us. And with His power and strength inside of us we will be able to quit sinning.
Following Christ is about love and forgiveness. It’s not about clothing or any kind of addiction. It’s about being a better version of yourself everyday. And talking to God daily for guidance.
From Pity to Praise 