Sadly, it seems that discourse relating to certain current events has left nonbelievers with the impression that Christians are moralistic, judgmental, controlling people who look down upon sinners.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Certainly, among the 2.18 billion Christians in the world, some will demonstrate these characteristics. These people have, unfortunately, tainted the image that we seek to spread.

But, I implore you, don’t be off-put by their behavior. The Christians that I know are loving, kind, generous people who want to help those in need, not curse them.

Think about it for a moment. What’s the most fundamental belief underlying our faith? The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We assert that God sent His Son to die for our sins and be resurrected, so that those who believe have the option to receive salvation through belief in Him. This, more than any other act in history, demonstrates love. For what reason other than complete love for mankind would Jesus do this?

His sacrifice was the ultimate act of caring and love for everyone who accepts Him. How can anyone object to this?

The Bible provides us with numerous references to demonstrate how Christian behavior must be based upon characteristics like love, and it shows us how Christians should behave, as many do.

Galatians 5:22-23 - “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!”

John 15:13 - “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.”

Ephesians 4:32 - “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

1 John 4:8 - “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world,that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Romans 8:37-39 - “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 13:8 - “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

Matthew 5:43-48 - “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,  so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

1 Corinthians 13:13 - “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

1 Peter 4:8 - “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Go to a nearby church service next Sunday. You’ll see.