Religion and Jesus are often terms that are associated with each other. People also see them as synonymous words; they see them as interchangeable terms that mean the same thing. It's not necessarily a bad thing, as the Christian religion should have a part in reflecting who Jesus is. However, religion has become corrupted, and that causes an issue. Even in the bible there are countless examples of "the church" rejecting someone and Jesus accepting them (Matthew 8:1-4. Luke 15:1-7. John 1:8-11.)
A majority of the people who don't want anything to do with God or church have always said the same thing when explaining why. They don't like organized religion. They don't like how religious people are intolerant towards those who don't have the same beliefs as them. They don't like how religious people refuse to accept anyone that isn't like them. If Christianity is so good, why has religion caused war? This breaks my heart because it makes me wonder if this is how "non-religious" people see Jesus.
The most important thing I want "non-religious" people to know is that religion is not Jesus. Religion has become corrupted; Jesus has not. Religion has become intolerant; Jesus is accepting and patient. Religion has become hateful; Jesus is someone with unconditional love. Religion has become about how other people see you when it should be about how Jesus sees you. Religion is insincere. People saying that gays deserve to be killed are not Jesus. People protesting in the streets and being violent towards others is not Jesus. Don't let the media's portrayal of Christianity reflect who Jesus is because it is false.
Anyone who truly knows Jesus, doesn't claim to be better than those who don't. Anyone who knows Jesus humbles themselves because that is the only way to become more like Him, which is the ultimate goal. Though Jesus could have been equal to God, he humbled himself and became human, so that we may have a direct connection to God. We should be stripping ourselves of our old, selfish, prideful ways and renewing ourselves to live as Christ wants. Philippians 2:3-11.
Jesus followers are rich in love. They have experienced the merciful and unconditional love of Christ and when one has experienced that, there is no way they want to give any less love than they have received. Those who know Jesus aim to love everyone, even when it is really hard. It is not easy, but they at least try to. No matter where someone comes from, what they have done or who they are, it is our jobs as followers of Christ to be as loving, kind and patient as possible with everyone. We walk in love, and not hate. Ephesians 5:1-2.
Those who know Jesus are not perfect and they don't pretend to be. Jesus followers love to show others what God has done in their life. They love to give all their glory and praise to Him and show everyone that they can't live life without Him. If someone tells you that "Jesus has kept their life perfect" then my guess is that they don't really know Jesus at all and that one day they are going to get a hard wake up call. A Christian acting like they are perfect is like trying to cover up a dumpster smell with cheap perfume. We are human too, we make mistakes, we have hardships, but God gets us through them. Job 9:20.
Christ followers are not to be judgmental. Yes people sin and yes we recognize that sin, but it is not our job here on earth to judge others based on their sin. For all of us have sinned, and all sins are on the same level in God's eyes. Who are we to judge someone else's sin, when we are just as guilty? Those who truly know Jesus don't judge others sin, but help them to conquer it. John 8:1-11. Romans 3:23.
Of course, we struggle with these things and we don't execute all of these principles perfectly. We struggle with anger, pride, anxiety and patience; but we give all those things to God. We stay steadfast in Him when times get hard and we aren't afraid to admit we are wrong sometimes. We constantly want to better ourselves and become as Christ-like as possible. It's not always a smooth road and we are nowhere near perfect, but lucky for us we know He who is, and He is on our side.
It absolutely tears me up that some people don't get to know who Jesus is because people who claim to know Jesus ruin it for them. To anyone who is reading this who is skeptical about Christianity, please know that organized religion is not equivalent to Jesus. You can despise organized religion and love Jesus. You don't have to give religion a chance, but please give Jesus a chance. Jesus loves you. He wants a relationship with you no matter what your past is like. Don't let others' intolerance make you think Jesus hates you. Throw out the idea of religion, and pick up the word of God. It won't fail you.
