Writing Prompt #12

If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be and why?

Honestly, being a born-again Christian, I suffer an enormous amount of persecution for my faith, what I believe, why I believe that, and Whom I serve.

Many people freely share their opinions on certain topics and issues and expect everyone to "side" with their point of view, but when I am asked what I believe on the same topic, I am automatically ridiculed for believing that because it is not in line with their view point.

People ask me what I believe, and before I explain why I believe that, they attack me for what I stand for. I am automatically labeled an "arrogant, narrow-minded, intolerant, hypocrite" who does not care for other people and thinks he is better than everyone else.

I have chosen Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I have dedicated my life to Him. I devote my heart to Him daily. I stand on His Word and His Word alone. Many people here the title "The Holy Bible" and instantly think of it as a book filled with a bunch of "dos" and "don'ts"...

The Word of God is not this at all. It is a God-breathed message to His people on how to be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. He expects us to follow His Word, not because He's a selfish God who loves tradition and a bland life (which is such a stereotypical thing people have said I can't even explain how wrong that is), but because He wants us to live life to the fullest  by following It, which leads to true joy, prosperity, and righteousness.

The typical Christian stereotype is someone who: is not tolerant of ANY other views/opinions, lives the life of a hypocrite, hates anything and anybody that  goes against God's Word, wears Amish clothing, and carries a Bible with them wherever they go.

It's kind of funny to me how society thinks that Christians are the only people who are  not allowed to mess up, and if they do, it needs to be pointed out immediately! ..We're human. EVERYONE messes up. Yes, everyone sins. Yes, everyone makes wrong choices every now and then. Yes, we are already forgiven for those "mess-ups." If a "hypocrite" is someone who does something wrong after stating that thing is wrong, then yes, I am most definitely a hypocrite.....we have ALL done this. No, I am not proud of those things, but I have asked for forgiveness for those wrong-doings.

This may sound weird, but I most definitely stick by the title "narrow-minded." God's Word says that "wide is the gate that leads to the path of destruction, and many enter it. Narrow is the get that leads to life, and few find it." Meaning that there is only one way to Life, and that is choosing to stand for what He says is right and living accordingly. I refuse to believe what  someone else may believe just because it has “become the norm” or that society says it is okay. If God does not approve of something, neither do I. Christ came, died, and rose again so that I could spend eternal life with God through a relationship with Jesus. I have devoted my life to following Him.

I get accused of “not being tolerant” of others’ views often. It is not that  I dislike the person or have any animosity towards them or anything, I am simply standing be what God says is right and what is not. People also say that Jesus was tolerant of everyone, which is not true. When He was on Earth, he showed love to every single person He came across, even those who said they hated God. He showed love to those people and showed them that what they were doing would not lead them to an eternal life, but to eternal death. He loves His children, and He wants them to dedicate their lives to Him so that they may spend eternity together. He accepted the PERSON, not  the things they did or the wrong things they stood for. When I stand by God’s word, it’s because I know Jesus did the same thing, and He saved LIVES by doing so.  

If I could change one thing in the world, I would bring more love and patience to everyone. To those Christians who ridicule those who go against God’s word and refuse to show love to those people for doing so…and to society, so that they would not persecute those who follow Christ as their Lord and Savior, and that THEY would be more “open-minded” and “tolerant” of what  God says is right and wrong. What we choose to do now determines where we end up after this life. Whether you believe in God or not, you need to be aware that He is a real, true, and beautiful God that wants to spend eternity with you. Make the Right choice, not what society says is right, but what His says is right.  Hey, we’re all human. We all make mistakes. We all have fallen short of the glory of God. Love needs to be given from BOTH sides.