Christians - being Christ-like

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   Madeline Perryposted 13 years ago

   I wonder if people took the 'religion' out of Christianity and started to live life according to Jesus' teachings, then people's opinions of Christians would change?
   
   Many wars have been started over religion, but I want to ask you, did Jesus kill anyone?  I don't recall Him doing so. Or did Jesus start a war? No, don't think so. Instead of using violence, Jesus resolved conflicts with words and actions. What did Jesus do when his disciple cut off the ear of the soldier arresting Him? Why, He put the soldier's ear back on, healing him. 
   
   I think that as Christians, we need to start actually being Jesus to people. Not being holier than thou or pushing our beliefs onto others.  I believe Jesus said that people will know that you are His disciples by the what you do.  Mother Theresa was a beautiful Christian woman who served God in the slums of India. She didn't start a war to 'convert' people but rather showed them Christian love and kindness (that is, showed them compassion, love, meet physical needs, feed & clothed, etc) Her impact on the world was so wide spread and positive. Despite the recognition she eventually received, this was not her motivation, but rather a desire to express God's love and compassion to these people.
   
   I was brought up in a fairly strict Christian home and I've had to work through the traditions and religious trappings to find the real Christian values and what God desires. God does not require us to follow strict Church guidelines, but rather to follow His teachings. I firmly believe that God is calling His people to be 'Jesus' to people. To come out from the religious trappings,the traditions and simply going through the motions, loose the 'perfect' facade, show people we are real and have many problems and disasters in our lives as others and to show by our life example that God is real and helps us get through these situations. Stop judging people but get to know them and love them for who they are. Remember, Actions always speak much louder than words!

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      Mark Knowlesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Why are in here preaching then?

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         Madeline Perryposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Not preaching. Enlightening.  If we don't start to speak about these kinds of things and challenging people's motivations and actions, then how can we we as a society start to become more tolerant of each other.

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            vector7posted 13 years agoin reply to this

            God Bless You Madeline..
            
            

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         Dave Mathewsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         Mark it's to bad you can't even form a proper response to this one. I guess God is finally tying up your tongue.

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      paarsurreyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you. Jesus is the role model and must remain role model of the Christians. It is very appropriate for the Christians to leave cunning Paul, the sinful scribes and the clever Church. The Christians must revert to the pristine teachings of Jesus based on the Word Revealed from the Creator-God
      ; the sooner the better.

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         Disappearingheadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         "Cunning Paul, Cunning Paul", aaaaarrrrggghhh we're all doomed because of "Cunning Paul". More cunning than psycho Muhammed? Probably then.

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      amuzickaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Great insights! You speak as if you had read my mind on the subject of what we are supposed to be like as followers of Christ.

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      paarsurreyposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you.
      
      As a first step the Christians should leave Paul and start acting on the teachings of Jesus and acts of Jesus; that would create unity among the 32000+ denominations of them.
      
      Then in the next step, if they accept Jesus and Mary as a role model; Jesus will bring them and make them one with Muhammad very naturally.

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         earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         So in other words, no.

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      Dave Mathewsposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I fully agree here take religion out of Christianity and live as Jesus lived and the world would be a better place.

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      kwade tweelingposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I suspect people acting like Jesus would look a lot like Gandhi. Nicely worded by the way.

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      Donna Suthardposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with you, We teach by example and by practicing unconditional love, our Light will shine out in the World..

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         earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

         That's the whole problem right there.
         Religious "love" is conditional isn't it? You are only loved if you follow the deemed god or someone's idea of the "truth"

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      Apostle Jackposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      First you have to SEPARATE religion from Christianity.One is a Salvation(Christianity)...and the other is pagan and of self agenda,call Religion.Atheist is a religion even though they don't believe in God they believe in something,and that something is their religion.They learn from books and schools of education to get knowledge that brainwash them into what they believe at this time.EVERYONE GOT SOMETHING FROM SOME WHERE..

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      Mark O Richardsonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      Love is the Key to being a good Christian.

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   schoolgirlforrealposted 13 years ago

   I agree with you completley and I've found that not just one relgion works..sometimes two do as in I am catholic and baptist, anyways, I've written lots of hubs about not judging like my recent one, "I do not judge you, review of the case for faith by lee strobel"

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      Harlan Coltposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree too. This is a great post with a good message. As for Mother Theresa, I have read some not so nice things about her. I don't know the validity of it, but I hear in many of her shelters people were forced to sleep on the floor with no blankets or heat in the winter because of the Catholic doctrine of penance - personal suffering to make up for your transgressions.
      
      True or not... vilifying her for some agenda, I don't know. I hope not.
      
      Nice post though.
      
      - Harlan

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      heavenbound5511posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Schoolgirlforreal-
      
      Hi!
      You see seeking God isn't about a religion, it is about a relationship with God through Jesus. Religions tend to suppress God and His power. Some believe one part of the bible and not other parts. We should know and stand for our new covenant rights in Christ. With our new convenant in Jesus we can do more than the old testament Christians because of Jesus. We have more freedom in Jesus than under the old law in the old testament.
      Jesus Lasts words after resurrection right before He went to heaven-Matt 16
      “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they[b] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
      We must believe and understand the whole bible and go after the promises of God, pray for God's spirit to lead and guide us in Jesus name. There is strength and power in the words of our bibles. We must pray, speak and study the word of God. Jesus said not by bread alone but by every word that procedes out of the mouth of God- God's word, The words of Jesus and testimonies and instructions in the Bible.
      We do not need religion but we need God through Jesus- In Jesus name realizing what his death and resurrection has accomplished in us that goes much further than our salvation alone.
      God bless you.

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