Freedom of Faith

Has anyone ever asked you why you are Christian? Why do you believe in Jesus Christ? If so, what was your answer?… and if you’ve never been asked that, what would your answer be? I’m going to go out on a limb and make a generalization (something I rarely do) and say that a vast majority of Christians never really had to choose their faith. Without having done an ounce of research I’d say that many of us were brought up in the church from the time we were babies. Others may have known about church but were not necessarily considered church- goers. None-the-less, for many of us it has been engrained in us that Jesus is Lord whether you live by the Word or not.

So what would happen if someone equally as passionate about their belief challenged you? Could you defend your faith?  How would you go about it? Well, I’ve never been asked outright why I believe in Christianity. I honestly don’t know much about other religions to dispel their belief system. I don’t even think I would want to do that if I was fully knowledgeable. This may go against the grain but I’m not really in the business of dispelling others belief systems. I’m in the business of defending my own… and how I do so is by my testimony. I don’t need to quote bible verses.  What’s the point if they don’t believe in the bible?! I don’t need to down another religions. I don’t need to judge anyone’s doubts. My defense is what I know to be God that has breathed new life into my situations. My defense is sharing how God placed me at a church service in a dilapidated parking lot in the dead of August to give me an opportunity to acknowledge Christ as my Savior. My defense is how He turned my hate in to love… my bitterness into forgiveness… my ways of doing things into His ways of doing things.

I have chosen to live by example. By no means am I saying that I have perfected the Christian walk. I have slip ups daily where I’m thinking to myself, “I thought you were past that?” But thank God that He is not like man. He doesn’t hold onto our flaws. He gives that unconditional love that no man could ever match and for that I’m eternally grateful.

One of the biggest things that turn people away from Christianity are those judgmental Christians. You know those Christians that carry on the facade of living this perfect life and not having any room for improvement? The ones who hideaway in church and avoid the people in the world like the plague. Yeah, those are the ones that leave a sour taste in the mouths of non-believers and even believers who prefer to not be associated with the church.

I believe in witnessing to people about Christianity, but in order for it to make impact they have to accept it in their hearts. Anyone can claim a specific religion but it’s how they live that is the most telling. I believe in Jesus. I am unashamedly Christian and I work hard at being transparent, flaws and all, so that people are drawn to me by my lifestyle. My pastor says, “More is caught than taught.” People trust your actions more than they trust your words. Drawing them in by my walk makes getting them to accept Jesus that much easier. If they can see the God in you, they’ll be more inclined to get to know His Word. So stop trying to preach people down and tear down other religions. Know why you chose Christianity, live out a lifestyle that reflects it, and people will naturally be drawn to you.

Be Bold,

Be Fabulous,

Be You

Tuesdays with Bianca