December 31, 2019 - Jesus Christ did not form a religion as such. He formed a "New Way" of living, of thinking, of doing to others in life. As Jesus declared himself, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
We see from the pages of the Bible that Jesus treated all people with the same respect and compassion without regard for status, race, creed or color for Jesus looked at the hearts of men and not at their faces.
Even to the point of forgiving those who nailed him to the cross as they carried out the gruesome task they had been given.
As a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ, it is one's duty to exhibit the same traits of compassion and understanding toward others as did Jesus, as known by his works described in the Bible.
It is not the duty of a Christian to follow any particular religious form nor domination of religious group or sect nor to control others.
It is sometimes promoted by secular people that Christians are part of, or adhere to, principals of; Theocracies or Totalitarianism or Authoritarianism regimes, this is simply false teaching, lies against Christianity.
Followers of Christ Jesus are not part of any theocracy (the governing of a state by divine guidance), for we are not a governing body but simple followers of God attempting to do his will in our lives on earth.
It would be misguided to accuse Christianity of being either totalitarianism (the political concept that a citizen should be totally subject to an absolute state authority) or authoritarianism (favoring blind submission to authority) neither of which are allowed of Christians, but which would better describe the communist regimes and dictatorships of the world.
It is the duty of the Christian to know God's Word and to follow it as closely as humanly possible as we travel through this cruel and evil world.
The goal of the Christian is not to control anyone but to simply inform others of the love that Jesus Christ has for all people, even those who nailed him to the cross.
Jesus' wish for all people; "not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)
I pray that all come to know him and that all people around the world celebrate the birth, the life, the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ this day and all days to come as we move forward through life.
May God richly bless all...
