I am a Christian. When I say this, I do not mean that I believe I'm better than anyone in this world. I do not mean that I think everyone who disagrees with my beliefs is going to hell. I do not mean that I think I'm perfect. I don't think an unbaptized baby or adult can't get into heaven, I don't think God punishes us by taking away the ones we love. I don't feel happy when people die just because I believe they are going to heaven. I don't believe in a wrathful God. I don't always trust God, though I should. I don't walk around waiting to catch people not glorifying God. I don't know everything, I have never "heard" God speak to me, though I've felt his guidance at times when I needed it most. I don't try to force my beliefs on others.
What I do mean is that Jesus Christ is my savior. He died on the cross for my sins and everyone else's. I feel it is my duty to live a life demonstrating Christ's love to the best of my abilities but I often fail. I do not believe in revenge and retaliation but that does not mean I don't find myself wanting those things at times. I believe forgiveness is one of the hardest things that Christ asks of us--and I work hard at this every time I feel wronged--but if God can forgive us for our sins so readily, we must do the same for others. I pray A LOT. I pray over big things and little things, for others and for myself. I seek guidance from the Bible though I'm not a literalists, but I respect that many people are. I drink, I dance, I swear more than I should, I watch rated R movies, listen to rap (if it shows up on the Top 40 stations), I don't think homosexuality is a sin or a choice and support gay marriage. I get angry at God; I have a tough time trusting him when times get especially tough though I never stop praying/begging for Him to bring comfort and guidance. My life is not perfect, I do not have everything that I want, but I see a bigger purpose in this life. I know that God has a plan that I am not expected to fully comprehend. I find comfort in the knowledge that God is always with me--not just me, but everyone--and that someday I will be reunited with all of my loved ones here and gone in heaven.
I am tired of people making false assumptions about me because of the label "Christian" I freely place on myself. There are only 4 things that all Christians could agree on:
1. Jesus Christ is our Savior
2. He died on the cross to forgive our sins and reconcile us to God
3. There is a God
4. The Bible is the book of God
That's it! There is disagreement on pretty much everything else. So when someone says s/he is a Christian. Don't make assumptions about our beliefs besides the 4 listed above. We are a diverse group of believers. :)
XOXO,
