Christian.

 I am a Christian. Saying those words to some people ignites fury within them. It's true, I'm not exaggerating, I wish I were.  Sometimes the fury it ignites is so great they kill the one saying those words, I'm not joking, I wish I were. Today Christians in general are taking a lot of backlash for things going on in our world. Some people lump ALL Christians into a single contemptible group, hating them all equally simply because they believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They don't bother separating the numerous factions of Christians. They could care less about any of the too many to count differences among Christian groups. When you call yourself a Christian- a follower of Christ, to them that's all that matters. They want you to feel ashamed to be called a Christian because there are a lot of horrible, horrible Christians in the world. Christians that have no true idea of what a true Christ follower is. They've taken the worst of the worst Christians and decided all Christians must be the same. They are not.   

In ALL different areas of life there are good and bad of the same kind, and when you label ALL of one kind bad because some are bad then you in essence are automatically bad for doing so. I will never stop being a Christian, never. I will forever be a Christ follower no matter what anyone else thinks about that.  

We can't fix this world. Jesus didn't come to fix the world under its current leadership- Satan. Those in his day believed He'd come to fix their world, to rid them of their tormentors, to usher in a whole new way of life. He didn't, at least not in the way they wanted Him to. Many thousands were very disappointed when they realized Jesus wasn't there to take up a banner and a sword to defeat their enemies near and far. They'd seen Jesus perform miracle after miracle and they were sure this miracle worker was there to fix their world, fix their current existence. Why wouldn't the miracle worker fix their world? He could have. Jesus had the power to fix the world, of that there is no doubt. Jesus didn't come to fix this world though, He came to fix the people for the world to come in the future, a new world- one not created by anything man can do. Jesus didn't tell us that we could erase evil from the world. Jesus didn't tell us we had the power to make mankind whole, we don't. Jesus wanted us to preach the gospel of the kingdom, as He had done. And the gospel of the kingdom is heaven with Him. The good news is one of salvation, one of redemption, one of hope for our future- Inheriting the Kingdom of God.

1Co 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

1Co 15:53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

1Co 15:54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 

So many Christians have lost sight of the true Jesus. It's true. They've manufactured their own version of Jesus and hold Him high, when he is nothing like the real Jesus, nothing at all. 

Jesus told us this…

Joh 14:2  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 

Joh 14:3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. 

Joh 14:4  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know

Did you read that? Did you really? Jesus said… IF I GO AND PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU I WILL COME AGAIN AND RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF THAT WHERE I AM THERE YE MAY BE ALSO.

He is preparing HEAVEN for us, not this earth! The earth will be totally made new, but only after all who are Christ's are raised up to meet Him when He returns, and we live in heaven for a time. Jesus will COME AGAIN and receive us to Him! 

Jesus didn't say to lay up treasures on earth. Jesus did say where our treasure is that is where our heart is. Our treasures are to be in heaven and our heart in heaven with those treasures. 

Words like pilgrims and strangers, in connection with our place on earth denote something other than considering this world our home. 

2Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

Christ wants our mind on the eternal, not the temporary. Christ wants us to love Him and love others… and that love is NEVER about forcing ANYONE to become a Christian, never! Any Christian who forces a single thing on another person is NOT a Christian. I have my own home, and in my home as a Christian I can live my life as a Christian- because I am blessed to live in a country that allows this. If you come into my Christian home you would be expected to respect my beliefs. If I forced you into my home that's a whole other story. 

Christ did not use force or condone it at all. Christ taught if His beliefs weren't accepted by others the believers were to leave- not fight with them and try to force them to believe. Leave, not fight. Jesus KNEW this world would never have a majority of Christ followers, He knew.

Mat 7:13  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 

Mat 7:14  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 

FEW there be that find it… FEW. 

Jesus did not say go and force the world to follow Christian beliefs, that's NO WHERE in the BIBLE, NO WHERE! 

While a broad road of supposed Christians seek to bring this world to a Christian place,  they are doing so under Satan disguised as an angel of light, not under Christ. 

May God help us ALL. May God open our hearts to ONLY HIS TRUTH. May we love as He loves with His love! May we be true Christ followers - loving ALL, forgiving ALL, seeking forgiveness for our own many imperfections and failings.

All through Jesus Christ our LORD and SAVIOR now and forever!!!!!!!