The title says it all. I'm a sinner, and a rather big one at that. Even though I easily proclaim my self as a "Christian" I've read more about what people have to say about Christ today than what Christ himself said. I am how ever willing to admit that, and i guess thats better than nothing.
Okay so lets break down my thought for a second, that is if your willing to step into the mind of a loudmouth, emotional teenage girl for just a minute? Lets start with the term "Christians." According to ABC news, ( http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/dailynews/beliefnet_poll_010718.html ) 83% of americans are "Christians." Did you just shake your head in disagreement after reading that? Yeah, that amount seams a little high to me too, considering that a fair number of the "christians" I've met only claim that because thats what their parents raised them to say. What does the word Christian even mean any more? The very first time the word " Christian" was used is found in Acts 11:26 ( and thats the answer that wikipedia gave me http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian#Early_usage ) the verse goes on to say "and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch." Now at the time this was written Christ had already ascended to heaven, I don't know if you who are reading this believe that or not, and I can a sure you that I mean this blog to be readable by everyone, even those who have different beliefs. so please just keep reading and hear the whole point I'm trying to make. In Acts 11:26 everything that is taking place is without the physical presents of Christ, which tells us that some one else, I'm guessing paul, gave the disciples the name "christians." My first thought was, I wonder what Jesus would have had to say about this? Honestly I think Jesus was to humble to ever name a movement as popular as Christianity after himself (even though he was the one that started it). I think, and you'll have to forgive me, because I very well may be wrong, But if Jesus was to give a name to those who desired to follow him, act like him and love humanity like him, he would have called them lovers, forgivers or even peacemakers. But thats not exactly the thoughts and feelings that comes to mind when you think 85% of Americans are "Christians" right?
Have you ever played the game telephone? Where one person whispers to another person and they whisper what they hear to the next person and so on an at the end you find out everyone has a different story. I think thats what happened, whether you are a believer in Christ or you are a scholar who finds the words of Jesus to be wise or neither, I think we can all agree it's easy to get confused in what he meant. it seams pretty apparent that there is a lot of contradiction between the loving, peaceful words Jesus spoke and the angry, yelling "Christians" you see protesting on the news.
To anyone who has ever had a Christian say something hurtful about you i just want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry that when you needed a friend, we turned our back. I'm sorry that when you needed someone to listen, we couldn't stop preaching. I'm sorry that when something bad happened to you we didn't do everything we could to help. I'm sorry to everyone I ever hurt. I hope that you would some day be able to forgive me for what I did, but more so i hope that what ever wound I may have made doesn't turn you away from the love that so many good people want to show you.
I pray this blog finds you well, and I ask that you take just a second out of your day to show love to someone who needs it.
From the bottom of my heart.
Emily
