Must Religion be Circumvented in the 21st Century?

Many atheists say we need less religion namely because it poisons the world around us.  Sadly, they make a good point.  Many Christians give atheists a strong argument against God's existence simply because they live in a deplorable fashion.  However, is it proper to say something is false because its followers act in an unjust manner?  Is God a delusion because His followers miss the mark?  I believe that society need not rid the world of Christianity, rather Christians need to realize the heart of Christianity's central message ... LOVE.  Consider this passage.

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:16-18 ESV).

Dear brothers and sisters, it is time to live out the implications of Christ dying on the cross.  At the cross you find the epitome of love!  You have a man, Jesus Christ, telling Peter to put down his sword when being arrested for false claims.  A man, Jesus Christ, blameless ... yet facing an unjust trial.  A man, Jesus Christ, facing severe Roman torture, yet pleading for His father to forgive those men for what they had done.  A man, Jesus Christ, willingly sacrificing His life on our behalf, even while we were His enemies.  A man, Jesus Christ, the perfect reflection of what love should be.  Yet, we find it in our hearts to hate those in the church and even others not like ourselves, to foolishly ignore the cries of the broken, to abandon the needy and poor, and to care more about political parties than the Gospel!

Friends, this passage clearly states...if Jesus epitomized love by laying down His life, ought we not lay down our lives for others as well?  I don't know about you, but I want to recklessly pursue love with all I have, not because I am commanded too but because I have experienced a radical love that has changed the very core of my being.  If you haven't experienced that love, don't let the hate of some Christians stop you from experiencing genuine love. I assure you...you can know LOVE today, because God is Love (1st John 4:8)!  His love was displayed through His Son, Jesus Christ, shedding His blood for the remission of your shortcomings and sin.

Simply stated...Let's not live out Christianity only talking about the cross, but let us show the world the cross.  How?  Though our selfless love toward others!  In this God will be glorified.

Blessings,
Mitchell R. Tabla