Daily writing prompt

What’s a quote that perfectly describes your outlook on life?

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A Few Reasons Why I Believe Christianity Is Misunderstood

Christianity is misunderstood because:

* “Love one another” doesn’t mean ignore each other.
* “Love your enemies” doesn’t mean to try to get even with them.
* “Seek first the kingdom of God” doesn’t mean to put your country or anything else first.
* “Humble yourself” is the opposite of self-centeredness and self-righteousness.
* “Judge not” means don’t condemn people. It doesn’t mean to approve of their wrongful behavior.
* “Speaking the truth in love” means be honest and be kind in what you say.
* “Forgive one another” means don’t carry a grudge.
* “Serve one another” is a command to focus on others rather than on yourself.
* “Repent” refers to stopping your wrong thoughts and behaviors.
* “Quench not the Spirit” means don’t refuse to be led by God’s Spirit.
* Being “led by the Spirit” refers to noticing and obeying God’s inner promptings instead of your own desires and opinions.
* “Bless those who curse you” means to say good things about people who say bad things about you.
* Pray for those who despitefully use you” means to ask God to do good things for people who do bad things to you.
* “Draw near to God” refers to opening your heart to Him and allowing Him to fully have His way in your life.
* To make the word of God of no effect “by your traditions,” means focusing on an outward “form of godliness” more than on ongoing surrender and obedience to the risen Jesus.
* “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel” doesn’t mean to go to church once a week and then do whatever you want to with the rest of your time.
* “By grace are you saved” doesn’t mean that you can ignore God’s will, do whatever you want, and still go to Heaven.
* “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature” means if you haven’t been truly born again and supernaturally transformed from within, you aren’t in Christ.

When people and churches interpret Jesus’ commands in ways that ignore their intent, blunt their force, and twist their meaning, they create much misunderstanding about Christianity. Christianity is misunderstood when it is seen as anything other than an ongoing heart-to-heart, Spirit-led relationship with the risen Jesus, faithfully demonstrated through obedience to His Spirit and compassion for all people.