ME? A RELIGIOUS BIGOT??

Prov 11:9

An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

            I enjoy perusing Facebook. I must admit it. It is a connective media that allows me access to things pertaining to family, to friends, to the churches that support us, to recent news from areas of interest, and the list could continue. I am one that fought the social media draw for quite awhile, thinking it had no real value and could possibly harm as much as help anyone. I did succumb, but I'm not sure my position about it has changed all that much. There is much that is good. I am happy that most of the contacts I have through Facebook are with those that are Christians. There are others though, and they will know who they are, that I have 'friended' particularly because I'm quite sure they are not Christians. To simplify what I'm speaking about, let me define what I mean by a Christian. A Christian is someone who has realized they are a sinner and would be eternally lost and whose end would  be eternal suffering in hell, but, has asked the Savior, Jesus Christ, for forgiveness of their sins; and asked him to be their personal Lord and Savior so they will instead have eternal life in heaven.

            Then, on the other, there is much that is not good about Facebook. It is a venting system for people who go off on verbal tantrums (some will think this is my edition of one of those), it is an outlet to let your point of view known about politics, social things, world events, etc. (not always a bad thing, although not everyone will agree with you). I have at times committed this myself, but  try to be kind and thoughtful of other's feelings when I do so. Now, for the real venting episode of this personal edition, I ask myself if I am a bigot. Some recent Facebook posts I have seen concerning social/moral issues accuse others of being a religious bigot if they do not agree with the lifestyles some people choose. I have to say, I do not agree with the alternate lifestyles many people are choosing today. They are becoming more and more prevalent in societies all over the world, and I think the behavior is destructive to the people God created. I think it is destructive to the family structure that God laid out for us in His Word. I know there are multitudes that disagree with me, but, do I call them religious bigots because they believe differently? No, this is not what Christ taught us any more than he taught us to hate people that disagree with us.

            The word 'religious' is a synonym for 'pious'. It is a term that can be associated with a self-righteous, holier-than-thou attitude, a superior and sanctimonious demeanor toward others. Religiosity has nothing to do with being a Christian. It does have a lot to do with not being a Christian, and with being a bigot. Christ gave the perfect example of how he wanted us to act toward others and it is depicted in John 13. The first verse begins by telling of the unconditional love that Christ had for others. The second verse tells of betrayal by one in spite of the friendship that was given him by Christ. Now, if you look in Luke 22, you will see that the disciples had begun having a discussion about which of them would be the greatest in heaven. In a sense, this discussion was a betrayal of what Christ had been teaching them for the past several years, so he stood up and gave them an object lesson.

            Laying his outer garment aside, he took up a servant's towel and a basin of water and began to wash the feet of the disciples. When you study this passage, the most interesting thing you'll find is that Judas Iscariot, the one who would betray him, was included in this group. Jesus knew what was in Judas' heart, yet he still offered himself as a servant to this man who would take money for the capture of Jesus. The one Christ had every reasonable right in the world to hate and disparage, he lowered himself and instead washed the man's feet. Later on, when they were at supper, Jesus revealed to the disciples that one would betray him. Each in turn asked, "Is it I?" Even Judas asked this question, possibly not knowing in his own heart yet what he would do? Christ, loving Judas to the end, desiring with all his being that Judas would repent and accept him, offered him the morsel of bread that had been dipped in the sop, effectively making Judas an honored guest at the table, but Judas heart was cold and rebellious, not wanting to yield to the simplicity of Christ's love, but rather to the things of the world and the flesh. The fact is that Jesus Christ was a servant to you as well. He suffered and died a grotesque and agonizing death on the Cross to pay the penalty for your sins.

            Christ did not hate people, he hated sin. He did not disparage people, he disparaged their sin. Christ was not religious. He was not a bigot. His only desire was, and still is, that people would come to a saving knowledge of Him as Savior and Lord. I do not believe I am a bigot. I am not religious. I consider myself a Christian because I have asked Him to be Lord of my life and I place my faith in Him to forgive me and accept me. Becoming a Christian is that simple (read Eph. 2:8-9 and John 3:16). I am not a bigot, if I were I would be disparaging your point of view rather than saying I love you, and I want you to know my Lord. Will you accept His salvation, or betray the love He has for you?