Today, it is unpopular to follow Jesus. I don’t know that’s it ever been a popular idea or opinion to tell other people that you love Jesus, that you believe he came, died, and rose again, all for your benefit because – and this is the kicker – because guess what? He loves you.

Why would I be writing about my faith in Jesus today? What could cause me to broadcast my personal belief in a God that I cannot see, a Jesus who I know to be alive today? Because of a post on Facebook. A social media post, the likes of which I will NOT be tagging the post here because of the level of hatred and vitriol leveled against anyone who is NOT heterosexual.

The post read, “You may be gay or you may be a Christian. But you cannot be a Gay Christian! Do Not Be Deceived Read 1 Corinthians 6:9.”

Okay. So, I decided to take it upon myself and read the verse, which I suspected was taken out of context. There are multiple versions of the Bible and various translations, each a bit different from the next. The most inflammatory version is where this post derives its quote from, naming homosexuality as one of the things that followers of Jesus aren’t supposed to do. But the list isn’t limited to homosexuality, nor is the translation of the two Greek words Paul used meant to convey that meaning. There isn’t an adequate way to express those two words in English. Instead, translators got ‘as close as they could’ to the context of both words.

Reading the rest of 1 Corinthians, in context with this verse, Paul is trying to tell the church that you need to act differently, treating people with the same love Jesus gave you. As Nirvana said, “Come as you are.” The second we turn our backs to ‘sinners,’ that’s when love leaves us, and we become just like them.

If you continue reading your Bible, putting it in context with all the other passages, you come to one inescapable conclusion: Jesus died for you because he loves you. He loves you right now, today, just as you are. I believe Jesus taught us to love everyone, no matter how you may ‘feel’ about that person. From start to finish, the Bible is all about God redeeming us and loving us enough to give us a way back to a relationship with him. If someone is taking verses out of context to be hateful, I’d question their motives and see if there are other things in their posts that are hateful.

Jesus says, “You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye.” Luke 6:41 CEV

You were not born by accident. God loves you. He wants you to know him. He’s looking for you, seeking you, and waiting for you to reach out to him. It’s not an accident that you are reading this. And I know my beliefs and opinions are unpopular, especially with others who say they follow Jesus. The Bible also says you will know other believers by my love. If that’s true, and I believe it is, then this type of messaging isn’t helpful – it damages people, ostracizes them, and goes against the very teachings of Jesus.

Remember: Jesus loves you. It’s not an accident. It’s intentional.