I am so fortunate that, in the United States, I generally don’t have to fear persecution from the government or my neighbors because of my religion. That is because I am a Christian, and this country tends to consider Christianity acceptable. (My experience here would be vastly different if I were to practice Islam.)

Christianity is accepted here because it is familiar and considered peaceful. However, people calling themselves Christians are turning away from the love that Jesus espoused and welcoming hatred and fear as their guides.

These days when I hear the word Christian, I think anti-abortion, anti-gay, anti-Muslim, anti- all sorts of things. While I’m not saying Christians should be in fervent support of those things, I am saying that the only thing Christians should be is pro-love. Jesus wanted His followers to be known by our love, not our stance on political issues of the day, and definitely not by our stance on who we hate.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35, CSB)

Instead of standing up against abortion (which is easy and lazy), pro-love means I should work hard to ensure young women are educated about sex, provided the means to avoid unwanted pregnancies, and cared for properly when mistakes are made or abuse occurs. I should be supporting Planned Parenthood instead of picketing in front of it. If I don’t like something about Planned Parenthood’s particular methods, I should open a new clinic where women can go to find caring, unjudgmental support, science-based education, and real and affordable medical care.

Instead of standing up against gay marriage (which again, is easy and lazy), pro-love means loving and developing real relationships with gay people. Meeting their needs and talking to them with an open heart about their lives, hopes, dreams, and values. I may have an opportunity to speak about my own hopes, dreams, and values too. And perhaps lives will be changed (mine included). Instead of trying to close down the gay bar in my neighborhood, I can rejoice at my easy access to such a rich potential ministry.

Instead of living in fear of Muslims, pro-love means, again, loving and developing real relationships with Muslims. Instead of working to close the mosque near me, I can rejoice at my easy access to another rich potential ministry, spreading the love of Jesus in tangible ways.

Historically, Christians have suffered persecution. And in many places in the world, we still do. However, here in the USA, it is increasingly the Christians who are doing the persecuting.

Suffering as a Christian, the kind that Jesus promised would happen, does not include suffering for being self-righteous and malicious. That kind of suffering is simply the right and expected consequence of hatred, judgment, and fear.

Suffering as a Christian means suffering because of self-sacrificial love, vulnerability, generosity, humility, and a willingness to turn the other cheek.

Dear God, please show me the true meaning of Christianity. Teach me today what I am doing and saying that does not align with Jesus’s teaching. Guide me toward being a true follower of Jesus in every way. Thank you so much for your forgiveness when I fall short.