Christa Black

God Loves Ugly & Love Makes Beautiful

You were made to live free! God Loves Ugly will shift the way you think, motivate permanent change, and inspire your heart to find peace. Read More!

 

Anne Rice Quits Christianity

The popular author released this statement on her Facebook page recently:

For those of you expecting a reprimand, you’re not going to find one here.  Especially since, if I’m totally honest, I’ve felt the same way on more than one occasion.

It’s embarrassing, really.  The group of people who should be known by their love are notoriously known for their squabbles, disagreements, judgments, and anger.  In fact, the word ‘denomination’ means ‘divided nation.’  We’ve prided and separated ourselves based upon our division of beliefs instead of rallying around the foundational truth that we’ve been loved, saved, and set free!  One of the main reasons I didn’t want to be a Christian for years was because I didn’t want to have to deal with the cruelty of some of Jesus’ followers.

Anne, I get it.  I’m with you.  I feel your pain.  I love the people behind the agendas Christians are known for protesting–the gays, the abortionists, the scientists, the Democrats–and I KNOW Jesus loves them, too.  I love the broken, the hurting, the searching and the wounded.  I love the intellectual, the Ivy League, the cruel, and simply, the ones who believe differently than I do!  I believe that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God!!

But I cannot and will not give up on the body of Christ.

I know that we can be a people who are loved so lavishly, that we love without agenda.

I know that we can be a people who are given such extravagant grace, we pour out grace on every person we encounter.

I believe that we can be so healed, that we administer healing to the broken, the sick, and the wounded.

I believe that we can be so consumed by goodness, that we live our lives to overcome evil with the goodness we’ve received.

I believe that we will take care of the orphans and widows that we’re commanded to rescue.

I believe that we can be so set free, we rush to release the captives from their chains.

I believe that Christians are patient and kind.  Christians do not envy, they do not boast, they are not proud.  They do not dishonor others, they are not self-seeking, they are not easily angered, and they keep no record of wrongs.  Christians do not delight in evil, but they rejoice in the truth.  They always protect, always trust, always hope, always endure.

Christians never fail.  Why?  Because love never fails, and we will someday live every breath to give away the love that we’ve received–ESPECIALLY to one another, to the broken, to the hurting, to the lost, and to our enemies.  (I Cor 13)

There’s absolutely no excuse for a Christian not to love–especially when we’ve been loved so violently.  Jesus paid the ultimate price–he died so that we could be reconciled in relationship with perfect love.

I believe, with all of my heart, that the body of Christ will have a revelation of this truth, and when we do, we’ll be the most unbelievably powerful, loving, kind, generous, healing, empowering group of people on the planet.

I’m so sorry, Anne Rice, that we’ve failed you.  Please give us another chance.

 

Do you need to take a moment and repent as a Christian who hasn’t been committed to love above all else?  We’re commanded to love the Lord God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and then to love our neighbor as ourselves.  

Take a moment and ask for forgiveness for the places you haven’t had lavish love towards a world that needs love.  Take a minute and ask for forgiveness for the judgment you’ve had towards other Christians.  We must be a people who are known for love and grace–otherwise, we’re not being the reflection of our Father.

“God, love me SO FULLY, SO COMPLETELY, AND SO RADICALLY, that I live every breath to receive your love and give it away to every person I encounter!  I know that the world doesn’t read their Bibles, but they do read their Christians.  Let me be an example of your love to the world!!!”

xx,

 

6 Comments
  • Christina Martinez

    I can certainly say that I know how Ann feels. I also refuse to hate. That is what the pharasees did. They were so religious.The key word in that statement was Religious. Religion was created by man, but God calls for a personal relationship, and that is called spirituality. Being Christian is a verb, or an action, not a status or click. Jesus left us with only one commandment, and that was to love one another, just as he has loved us. So really, Ann, You didnt quit Christianity, You acctually just got started. Those who Judge will be Judged and who are they to judge thier father’s servants? Do not conform to the ways of the evil one. The Lord will reward your faithfulness.

  • http://www.facebook.com/yatharthanathan Daniel Yatharthanathan

    I’ve been a “Christian” for almost two years now. Its pretty awesome to find out I’m not the only one who feels this way.

  • Melissa Powell

    There is a reason that Jesus gave us Matthew 24:12 to relate the prognosis of this world. Anne, you must guard your heart against the enemy’s plan here. Though I know first hand how discouraging this road can be at times, as I meditate on His love and grace and righteousness I am continually renewed in hope that the vessel of His grace (the church) shall arise in the fullness of His glory. We only see in part right now and part of trusting Him is learning to be okay with not understanding most, if not all of the things around us. Be encouraged that He will never give up on us and endure with this same fervor. You were destined and purposed and filled gloriously by God Himself for the long haul of suffering this life may bring…read vs. 13-14.
    Much love on your journey,
    Melissa Powell
    wellbymel.com

  • Michael

    I believe you are right on target, Christa! There is a great spiritual psunami being released in the earth, the unconditonal love of God! It will change the conversation and move us into the ultimate end-time paradigm! Bridal love!!! The billion souls harvest is coming because people are yearning for connection!!! Bridal love!!!! You rock!!!!

  • http://twitter.com/Almostvickie Jami Williams

    As followers of Christ, our job is to be uncompromising on two points: Truth and Love. Truth without love is a killer, but love without truth is a liar. In “quitting”, Ann is doing the very thing that she speaks against: becoming “anti” something, in this case it’s the Body of Christ. May we all strive to be brighter lights for those struggling in the faith!!

  • http://twitter.com/jkelly80 Jasmin Kelly

    Christa, this is really a great post. As the Presidential debate comes into the last 8 weeks or so, debate on issues are really kicking up. I believe there are a lot of Christians that at one point or another have asked themselves…am I really loving them? I can definitely sympathize with Anne and it saddens my heart to know she felt such hurt that she had to leave the body.
    As I continued on and read your “I know…” and “I believe…’ statements I became inspired and filled with the goodness that I know the Church of Christ is and will continue to become.
    Thank you for this Christa!
    -Jasmin