I’ve been taking a World Religions class this semester and I thought I would be more excited about it than I am. I’m truly sick of hearing the word “religion” already. The more I hear the word, the more I flinch.
It has me wondering if that’s why so many people are turned off to Christianity. Do we as “Christians” make following Jesus look like a religion versus a relationship?
As a child I didn’t grow up in the church. I attended here and there, took part in some youth programs, but nothing that I remember changing my life.
What I do remember though is being told:
- I couldn’t wear those shorts
- I needed to talk with a whisper
- I needed to memorize the chapter names of the Bible
- I couldn’t use the word “hate”
- Gambling was a sin
I never remember being told:
- Jesus loves you
- God sent His only Son to die for you
- You don’t have to be ashamed of who you are because there is no shame in Christ Jesus
- Who I am in Christ
What I remember seeing:
- Partying with friends on Saturday and hearing them talk about attending church with their families on Sunday
- People walking into the local cafe with their “church clothes” on only to treat the staff rude while they gossiped about what “so and so” did the night before
I didn’t know then, but I know now, that I was seeing religion. I was seeing the outside of the cup clean and shiny, but the inside was full of greed and wickedness.
I can still see religion in myself. Especially when I find myself being judgmental. I’m not being a Christ Follower; I’m being a religious jerk!
I hate religion…
I love relationship…
I didn’t understand there was a difference in religion and Christianity until real Jesus followers sought me out and showed me what love (God’s love) was all about.
My goal is to be a Christ follower that doesn’t just try to keep my cup all nice and shiny on the outside while I’m dying on the inside. I did that long enough. My cup is dirty. My cup can by sloppy. My cup is cracked. And I couldn’t be happier, because when people see me, they see relationship; not religion.
What do you think we can start doing today to make being a follower of Jesus Christ look like something others want? Comment below…
Hi – Great post. I really appreciated your insights. I think that many people are turned off to Christianity because so many Christians act mean and judgmental. It sure doesn’t reflect Christ and sometimes even embarrasses me!
One thing my husband and I continue to do is our “ministry to servers.” Whenever we go out to eat, we try our best to reflect God’s love to whoever is serving us, either at the fast-food counter or as a waitress. The impact is amazing! We now have people at most of our restaurants who feel like we’re their friends and they tell us all about their families and how things are going for them.
I don’t know if these people know that we are Christians or not, but we have tried to show them Christ’s love and that’s enough.
Lisa Are Wulf
Thanks Lisa. I think you’re right about being turned off to Christianity.
LOVE your ministry! Would you want to guest post for me about that?
Love, Love, Love!!! Although we all struggle with falling into religion, the relationship is what counts. Thank you for sharing, I hope tis post will help me to keep be more careful as to how I come across to others about my Christianity!!
Yes.. I hope it helps me to be more careful as well.
minus all the errors in the last statement :o)
Absolutely loved this article and couldn’t agree more. Great blog…my first time here. Saw your link on the Christian Writers and Bloggers fb page 🙂
Thanks Jessica. Glad you enjoyed it. Welcome to my blog. Hope you stay a while and come back often. 🙂