People and Christians....

People. They surround me with their various whims and characteristics. Girls snuggle up to their boyfriends, oblivious to the fact that they may or may not be real gentlemen. They rarely ask for their family’s opinion of the man, which could lead to sorrow for them later in life. Other people walk by sneering or laughing at various couple’s lack of propriety. To avoid the teasing and/or condemnation, other couples will sit so far apart that an elephant could sit in the middle.

Why are people so judgmental? Why do they feel like everyone has to fit their standards of living? Even Christians; no, especially Christians are the most judgmental of all of the people. If something that someone else does will not fit into their ‘box,’ that person will automatically get labeled as a sinner and a bad person. That person may not be horrible, but Christians never even take the time to get past the exterior of the person. We do not even attempt to talk to them and try to understand what they may be going through in their lives. Why is that? Why can’t we accept what is different than us, especially if it does not conflict with God's directions for our lives.

God has told us that we should love our neighbors as ourselves. Neighbors are not always those people who we identify with easily; they are not always the people that we care to spend time with even a little. They are everyone. It shouldn't matter if they measure up to our standards, we should still be able to show them God's love. This task may not always be an easy one...especially if we don't care for their habits. However, how else are they to know that we are Christians, but through our love? They may not deserve it, but neither do we deserve God's love for us.