Knowing Jesus
I see people mock Christians and our faith so much on these apps and the first thing I feel when I see these posts is not anger, offense, hate, or any other negative emotion. I feel sad. Sad that some humans, through their manipulations, misunderstanding of scripture, or downright ignorance, have created a stumbling block that prevents others from knowing Jesus and accepting the kingdom of God.
You see, at a point I was like these people. Even though I was born and raised a Christian, I began to doubt everything I grew up believing because I learned about the Crusades, the role the Christian missionaries played in physically and mentally enslaving Africans, the molestation of altar boys and the sexual assaults against nuns, the megachurches’ money laundering schemes, the fake miracles and prophecies of so-called men of God, and the other various ways people had been manipulated and abused in the name of the religion throughout history.
All this rot made me feel repulsed by the faith as if I had day-old vomit in my mouth… but instead of falling away and cutting ties with the faith altogether, I decided to actually pick up my Bible and read what it had to say without the interpretations of others. When I started reading the gospels for myself, I quickly learned that it is through interpretations that many have been conditioned to be vulnerable prey of conmen, narcissists, and other downright evil people.
Many people are practicing the religion of Christianity without truly knowing Jesus. Many people, in the name of religion and at the direction of their “spiritual fathers,” are going completely contrary to the teachings of Christ. Many are still looking for signs and wonders when they are in us and everywhere around us. Others are being led astray because they haven’t used critical thinking to separate lies from the truth. And even more are merely walking behind people who have been blinded by the conditioning of their minds.
Knowing Jesus is not about shouting tongues at all-night services and neither is it about showing up to church every weekend. It’s about listening to His words, seeking the deeper understanding, following them, and having a complete change of heart. Knowing Jesus is not performative but rather a deep inner work that unravels your old self and completely reorients you.
Knowing Jesus is so important, and not knowing Him will be the greatest disappointment for anyone who doesn’t. It will be very sad, painful, and scary to stand in front of the Creator of this universe one day, look into His eyes and see fire and judgment instead of the glow of love and grace. All because you didn’t take the time to truly understand the gospel during your time on earth and allowed some humans to rob you of your eternal wealth in God.
And no I’m not talking about joining the Christianity religion or going to church. I’m not asking you to give a tenth of everything you have to the church, nor am I asking you to subject yourself to another human in the name of spiritual parenthood.
I’m talking about getting to know the Son of God who loved you so much He thought about you even before you were born and created a plan to save the world with you in mind. The same one who knows the deepest secrets you hold, your highs and lows, your fears, doubts, insecurities, and joy.
We are humans and we have choices… on that day you can’t plead ignorance because the world is filled with His name and His message of love.
Please let go of what some humans have done to you and taught you negatively for their own agendas and find out who Jesus really is. It’s a matter of YOUR eternity.
