I’m sitting in a sports bar. It’s Friday night, the place is packed. An unidentifiable beat plays in the background and groups of friends are laughing, sharing stories over a beer as a happy waitress brings my friend and I pizza. Our dates sit beside us discussing the wonders of the theory of relativity….yes, I’m serious….and my friend asks me a question.
“Ya know, I’ve always wondered….what makes Christianity the ‘right’ religion? I mean, how do you know? If you grew up knowing only Judaism, let’s say…that would be right to you. Why is Christianity any different?”
Excitement sparked inside of me at this unexpected change of topic. I never pictured Peppinos Grille and Pizzeria to be a prime place for religious discussion. I never anticipated that this Friday night dinner date would create the setting to share why I believe what I believe. But God was at work that night and, go figure, I was in a sports bar. I completely forgot we were at a restaurant, forgot our dates were sitting next to us, forgot about the delicious, newly baked pizza sitting right under my nose waiting to be eaten. A door was opening, and I couldn’t wait to walk through it.
“I’m so glad you asked,” I smiled. “I’ve often wondered the same thing….”
Why is Christianity the ‘right’ religion? And why…why…do so many people have this image of Christians as hateful people who only want to shove their beliefs down others throats, and control others’ decisions? Why do Christians feel the need to evangelize, explain their religion to others, when the majority of religions mind their own business?
It’s so sad that there are people who have this incorrect image of us, and extremely sad that some people who call themselves Christians do indeed have no idea what it’s all about….but having control and pushing our beliefs on others is not what it’s all about.
Christianity is not about being right.
It’s not about preaching to others what they are doing wrong.
It’s not about getting everyone else to believe the same thing in order to make our lives easier.
Why are Christians so intent on spreading their beliefs?
Friends, it’s because of grace. It’s because of this unbelievable, undeserved love that changed our lives, made life make sense, and made us free.
Christianity IS different from other religions. Not because it’s better or holier than thou. Christianity is the only religion whose focus is not on what we can do. There is no hierarchy of holiness that needs to be climbed to reach enlightenment. There is no mantra or series of prayers that can save us. There’s no state of zen, or length of hair, or amount of time spent in lotus pose that can help us achieve peace and a sense of worthiness. Christianity is not about anything you or I can do.
It’s. about. Jesus. His sacrifice on the cross, his saving grace, his forgiveness, his acceptance of us as who we are.
To fully understand what God has done for us is life changing! Jesus has done it for us! Nothing we do can separate us from his love or take away the salvation that is won through him!
Friends, we are not speaking out about our beliefs to tell you, you are wrong. We are not here to tell you we have all the answers…we definitely do not…or because we want to “enlighten” you. We are not better than you.
We are PASSIONATE about this LOVE, and it has changed our lives in such an amazing way that we want to share it with you! We want you to have the opportunity to feel and know and truly understand what it’s like to realize that there is a God who is interested in our lives…who cares deeply about us and wants us to be free.
It is GOOD news folks! And good news is meant to be shared! 🙂
We all have a spot in eternity, and all there is to it is belief and acceptance of a great love. A love that drove our God to sacrifice himself because he wanted to be with us.
It’s your choice….take it or leave it….we just want to give you the chance to know.
