Acceptance

I love Dateline.

I love Dateline, 48 Hours, 20/20, Snapped, Justice by Any Means, A Crime to Remember, Fatal Attraction - all of' em. And I love them because they all tell a great story.

So, I was looking for one I hadn't seen, and I came across the latest Caitlyn Jenner interview with Diane Sawyer.

Initially, I rolled my eyes and kept scrolling.

But then, I decided what the heck? I've seen everything else, so why not?

So I watched.

And I came away really different: I came away accepting Jenner for whoever she chose to be. Because that's how Jesus loves me. Irrevocably. Unrelently. Unflinchingly. He just loves me.

And it's what He has called me to do for others: love them. Accept them.

I am a Christian.

I believe there is NO other name under heaven by which men can call upon to be saved EXCEPT the name of Jesus. (Acts 4:12) I believe that at the name of Jesus EVERY knee will bow and every tongue will confess that HE is Lord. (Philippians 2:10) I also believe that the bible is God’s divinely inspired, holy word. It is profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, instruction and righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)

And as a Christian I am called to love.

Now, that doesn't mean I always agree with people or their choices. It simple means I agree they have a right to make them - and be accepted and loved anyway.

So, that's no newsflash. But in a way - it is for me.

I once lived with a highly judgemental and critical spirit - and people who know me know that I still struggle with it. I thought Christianity was a list of dos and dont's - and I had the nerve to think that just because I was free and clear of al the "major" sins, I was really something.

I had no problem telling people they were going to hell.

I had no issue looking down on people.

And I had a private stash of fire and brimstone to throw on people that I didn't think were living according  to my Christian standards.

Well, it's been some living. And God revealed to me that I neither right, nor righteous - I was self-righteous: puffed up and prideful about what I beleived to be my personal and spiritual accomplishments.

And He humbled me. Showed me myself. And He allowed me to see all the people I injured and hurt with my mouth and my bad attitude.

And it's been some more living.

And some more learning.

And some more praying.

And here I am: watching Caitlyn Jenner, and thinking about love and acceptance.

Their two principles that seem pretty simple - but then, again,  not so much.

How do you love someone deeply and passionately even when you disagree with them bibically? Not how can you - but how do you?  What does it look like in action?

How can we love without offending?

Without injuring?

Without hurting?

Without ridiculing?

Without excluding?

Without other-ing?

While still standing BOLDLY on the word of God. In truth, the bible is just going to offend some people. It says one thing - and some people simply choose to do another. So, it will be offensive.

My job, as a Christian, however, is to agree with Christ. What He says is sin, I say is sin. But I have no right to reject, injure or hurt another person because they have chosen a path that the Bible calls sin.

I'm called to love and accept them.

Now, this sounds very "hate-the-sin, love-the-sinner-ish." And it is. But it's not.

Something different happened in my heart as I watched Caitlyn Jenner: I saw her. I saw her as a person who needed to be loved and accepted whether I disagreed with her choices or not - and a deep compassion filled my heart for her. It wasn't pity. It was a deep, compelling  and challenging love that I sat with for quite some time.

That was never the case before.

Before, I was filled with disdain.

Before, I was really self-righteous.

Before - I had no love. And I didn't accept her.

In fact, I wouldn't even acknowledge her as a "her."

And I'm struggling with the "her" part of it even as I write this. But, what I'm realizing, I guess, is that in some ways it doesn't matter. I just want to offer love and acceptance to those who need it - with the hope that Christ love shining through me will lead them to a greater knowledge of Him and the salvation He freely offers to all.

And even if it doesn't, I'm called to love and accept them some more.

That's what Jesus has done for me. And it's what He's called me to do for others.

Know that I love you each, L.