An Idea for Christians

An Idea for Christians,

The Talmud states a truth that Christians I believe need to think about. It states,
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God.  Learning that he was a fire-worshipper.   Abraham drove him from his door.  That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
                                                                               The Talmud.
As I look at those claiming to be Christians here in North America I see a lot of protests against things, everything from abortion to gay rights, to speaking out against Muslims and other things these so called Christians disagree with.
I say “so called Christians” because I wonder how committed to the cause of Christ they really are.
Even if they are Christians they definitely it seems, have no time to reach out and show love to those they disagree with.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.”
                                      Romans 12:18,19.
Writing to the Corinthians Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                                           1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
It is not our job to judge people. We are to love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. We have no right to restrict the rights of anyone who is doing no harm in a secular democracy such as our own.
Jesus said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
              Matthew 10:16.
If we are acting as doves we are not attacking people or trying to restrict their rights.
Jesus also said,
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. 
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
                         Matthew 5:13-16.
All too many people calling themselves Christians these days in North America are protesting against things. They are cementing in the minds of non-believers that Christianity is a religion of “do not’s”.
In protesting against the rights of someone in a secular democracy such as we have in the west these people are at the very least being perceived as bigots. Who are intolerant.
This is not the Christianity I know.
Christianity to me is God reaching down to mankind and saying “I love you. Let me show you the way to heaven.”
I believe a great responsibility rests on the shoulders of Christians. We need to be able to sit down and have an open dialogue with non-Christians. Something we cannot do if we are protesting against them.
Jesus met with people of every strata in every circumstance of the society in which he lived. And even though He was the Christ and had the right to judge, he did not judge anyone while on this earth. Nor should we if we are truly his followers.
Dear Christian
Please think about what I have said carefully.