The last two days, I wrote about the three reasons I believe people do not accept Jesus Christ as their God. 1) Arrogance. 2) Ignorance. 3) A Lifestyle conflict.

We covered Arrogance and Ignorance; Today we’ll cover the third reason, Lifestyle conflict.

It is hard to fault a non-believer for being turned off from Christianity, when the only thing he or she knows or hears about Christianity is “your lifestyle is evil and it is why you will go to hell if you don’t repent and accept Jesus.” In a way, it is like someone inviting you to join their club, but they criticize and humiliate you first; Not very appealing.

We can read Romans 1 which lists out all the bad things people do and how wicked they are and think that people today are just the same. We must then read Romans 2 which begins, “You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things.”

Jesus did not approach ordinary people with judgment. Jesus says in John 3:17, “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” We need to remember Romans 3:23, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard”

Of course there is a laundry list of bad, sinful behaviors, and we cannot change the fact that they are wrong. However changing those behaviors is not a pre-requisite for being accepted by God. He accepts us with our short-comings; We only need to let Him. Paul writes in Romans 5:8, “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We need to love people with their baggage and let God bring them to realize where they need to change. (Disclaimer…For Christian leaders, however, there is a different standard which I’ll cover another time.)

Dear Lord, Thank you for accepting each of us with our failings and disobedience to you. The closer we become to you, the more we desire to do your will and turn from our sinful behaviors. Help us follow Jesus’ example and invite people, to know you, with your love, not judgment. In Jesus’ name. Amen.