It is all about the LOVE

According to recent statistics there are 2.1 billion Christians in this world. Now, I realize that this number encompasses a lot of different ideas, but for the sake of this post, let's assume that this number represents true Jesus followers. The approximate population of the world, as of September 3, 2009, is 6.7 billion. This means that there are 4.6 billion people who do not know Jesus.

Jesus.  This name causes some people in my world to cringe.  This name said out loud means that I must be a religious freak, a holy roller, a bible thumper.  I'm ok with that.  I'm ok with it, because I know that my relationship with Jesus has very little to do with any of these terms. 

I have been thinking a lot lately about what it truly means to be a Jesus follower. 

Ghandi once said
“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

If I may simplify what it means to me to be a Jesus follower then, it means, striving to be Christ like.

The Jesus I know, is all about LOVE. 

John 3:16-17 says: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 13:35 says: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

God sent His son, Jesus, because He LOVES us.
Jesus LOVES us so much that He died on the cross to save us.
If  I want to be like Jesus, then I must LOVE all people.

Does this mean that I think I am perfect?  Does it mean that I am better than everyone else?  Does it mean that I have the right to judge people?  No, No, and No.

If you do not know Jesus, please do not reject Him because of us christians.  We fail miserably at this most days, we struggle and sin daily, which is why we need a Saviour. I long for others to know the Jesus that I know.

I will not be ashamed of my faith.  I will not be ashamed to use the name of Jesus in daily conversation. I will not be ashamed to give all the glory to God if something awesome happens in my life, whether or not the person I say it to looks at me with an unbelieving eye and a smirk.  I will walk in faith and love, striving to be like Jesus, hoping that I will have the priviledge to lead someone to this amazing, loving, Father God that I serve.

To truly know Jesus is to know grace, mercy and love. 

Blessings,