Just the other day I was talking to a new acquaintance when the topic of religion came up. They had grown up in a Christian environment, but due to some bad experiences had decided Christianity really wasn't for them. I, on the other hand, also grew up in a Christian environment, but I am still strongly (and loudly) a Christian. After talking about our differences and views, the other person thought I was going to stop talking to them and cut off communication just because they didn't believe like me. When I told them otherwise, they were surprised to find a Christian who didn't automatically judge them and turn their back just because they weren't a Christian. Do you know how that made feel?

Angry.

The fact that this person was so surprised to find a Christian who was willing to keep the lines of communication open even with their disagreements angered me to my very core. Was I angry with them? No, I am angry with Christians.

Fellow Christians, in what world is it ok for us to shut ourselves out to the rest of the world? Where in the Bible are you told to seal ourselves against those who believe differently than us? How can you possibly believe you are justified in cutting people off just because they don't believe?

My Christ never shunned the sinners. My Christ dined with them and died for them. My Christ did not lose faith in someone because of their past sins, one of His best friends had been a harlot before her conversion. My Christ lived his life reaching out to sinners, with the intent to convert them. That is what we should do.

We as Christians cannot seal ourselves off or refuse to talk to others just because they are sinners, because news flash, we are sinners too. If we don't talk to the non-believer, if we don't witness, how are we suppose to bring people to Christ. And - here's another news flash –– witnessing is more than handing out fliers or posting a Bible verse on Facebook. Most people don't care what you believe unless they know you, unless a relationship has been formed and they know they can trust you and they see something different in you that they want to have. Witnessing is about showing Christ's love through real relationships, and we can't do that if we are judging people and then leaving them because we don't want to be "of the world."

So, Christian, next time you find yourself with a non-believer, love them. Love them with every ounce of your body because that is what Christ did. Do you have to agree with them? No. But share your disagreements out of love, and recognize that you can disagree with someone's beliefs and still love them. Live your life so that they see Christ in you. That's my life goal, and it should be yours too.