We find that, especially in America that the general population seems to have an innate desire to take shortcuts in life, as if by doing so, they will reach their destination of choice faster. Perhaps some people are successful with their shortcuts, but this is undoubtedly outnumbered by those who try the shortcut but end up finding out, much to their disappointment, that their so-called shortcut wasn’t a shortcut at all, but rather was more of a detour or a wrong turn.
Indeed, although the number of professing Christians of whatever sect that they most identify with in America is actually quite high, we find that in the scheme of things such surface characteristics don’t amount to much, for what seems to be missing from those that are professed Christians, is the fact that far too often those that take on the moniker of Christianity don’t seem to readily understand the commitment and accountability that are now theirs to bear, and because of that, they aren’t true to what Christianity really means in the real world.
The very first thing to know about Christianity is that to be a Christian means actually to be willing to and then to follow through by taking up one’s cross, for those who then will not actually stand for Christ, when it really matters, aren’t Christian. To be Christian necessitates risking something of real value and to thereby do right by those Christian values, and those who don’t aren’t Christian at all. Indeed, the sunshine Christian is only there when things are going well, and therefore it’s easy under those favorable circumstances to be a Christian; whereas a true Christian will not turn their back when the going gets tough, but will actually do what they know to do, as per their Christian calling in life.
So too, there are plenty of Christians who understand the need for exhibiting forgiveness, fairness, love, consideration, and doing the right thing, all of which should never take a backseat to revenge, injustice, hatred, inconsideration, and doing what is wrong. To be a Christian is to take on the positive aspects of that Christianity, so that those therefore who will not tolerate others because they don’t like them or don’t like their beliefs, are not Christian in their behavior, because we are meant to accept others as they are and to do right to them, because that is our obligation as a Christian. This signifies that to be a Christian is to acknowledge the value and worth of all human beings, and not just to favor those that align with our beliefs, and thereby to consider all others to be beneath us and unworthy of our care and concern.
To profess to being a Christian may have its place, but that said, the real place for those who consider themselves to be Christian is demonstrated day by day, by our interactions with one another, in which we exemplify all the good qualities of a life lived in conformance with God’s blessings and beneficence, which is confirmed best by our sacrifice, care, respect, and love that we provide to one another.