CHRISTIANITY: the religion based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, or its beliefs and practices.
My name is Brandi Shigley. I am a Christian. I love the Lord God with all of my heart and soul and am a follower of Jesus. Jesus abhorred religion and wanted to bring peace upon the nations through Love, acceptance of all people and helping those in need, while countless times showing us how we destroy ourselves through rules and regulations, greed and corruption, and building barriers that separate us.
It makes me sad to see Christians using “Christianity” to do exactly opposite of that, judging others, creating rules and regulations and a false barrier of being with God. Hating others and NOT showing love and compassion for our brothers and sisters. I believe in a God who truly loves us all, right where we are. We don’t have to work to earn his love, we don’t have to make ourselves perfect to be with Him. We are with Him and He with us. I’m unlearning much of what religion has taught me, learning that it IS NOT about rules and regulations but about a relationship.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’[a]; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b]” (Luke 10:25).
I know that I don’t know everything about the Bible, everything about God, I can’t argue with an atheist proving things through theological theories, but what is true to me is how I’ve seen and experienced God in my own life, showing me grace, teaching me every day, and feeling His presence.