A life-changing encounter with Christ
What does a Christian life look like?
Photo by Rostyslav Savchyn on Unsplash
“Let love be sincere; hate what is evil, hold on to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; anticipate one another in showing honor. Do not grow slack in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the holy ones, exercise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Have the same regard for one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly; do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil; be concerned for what is noble in the sight of all. If possible, on your part, live at peace with all.” (Romans 12: 9-18)
We spend a lot of time on unnecessary and harmful things. We, as Christians, are concentrating more on attacking others for their sins rather than highlighting the author of sin. The Christianity of today is not what St. Paul urges in his letter to the Romans. St. Paul tells us to hate what is evil. He never says we are to hate the person who is sinning. He tells us that our love must be sincere. He never allows for us to give a fake “love” for the sake of appearance.
As Christians, we are to show love and hospitality to every individual because every person we encounter is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26). Social media is full of “Christians” attacking other “Christians” because they do not agree with their opinion or preference. We set ourselves up as “haughty” through portraying that we know more or are “better” Catholics or Christians than others because of the Mass we attend or the sins we avoid. (Although…we all need Confession, including you.)
What about those who are mean to you or intentionally hurt you? Paul tells us to “bless” them and “do not curse them.” What about those who are living in a sin I despite. Paul says that we are to despite the sin, but we should never withhold our love or acceptance of the person. We can love and accept an individual without agreeing with their sinful choices. We would expect others to love and accept us even if they did not agree with our sinful actions. Why not provide the same courtesy for others?
Most importantly, I believe, in this passage is St. Paul’s command to “if possible, on your part, live at peace with all.” He knows that it is not always possible to live at peace with every individual because every person has free will. However, he says “on your part”. That means the mean tweet you send back to someone because you disagree with them is not conducive to living at peace with others. It means the decision to not associate with a co-worker or neighbor because of their lifestyle choice is not conducive to living in peace with others. It means we are to be a light for Christ. Let us seek to love others, be hospitable to others, and do not be quick to condemn others before loving them first. Christian love is seeing the person beyond the sin. Christian love is peering through hell’s darkness and kaleidoscope of confusion and seeing the beautiful person God created.
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About the Author
Amelia Monroe Carlson graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in journalism. Being raised as a Methodist during her early years, it was not until she entered college where she began to take her faith seriously. She was baptized as a Southern Baptist in Muscle Shoals, AL and began immediately serving in international missions and in the church.
During college, she became the Co-founder of an International Ministry, where she spent time traveling and speaking to church groups and in large conferences. She authored a Bible study and traveled abroad on mission work. She sat on the Mid-South Interfaith Conferences in Mississippi, where she defended the faith and discussed beliefs with leaders of various religions.
After a business trip to Washington D.C., where she was introduced to a former Baptist who converted to the Catholic Church, she was placed on a journey to enter into the Catholic Church.
Amelia is a military wife and currently residents with her husband and daughter in Tennessee. She is a nine time award winning journalist, receiving press awards for various categories including investigative journalism, best news coverage, and best single feature. It is her desire to help Catholics, particularly Cradle Catholics, see the beauty in their faith which converts see and appreciate the fullness of truth which the Church has held and guarded throughout history. It is her desire all Catholics fall as much in love with Jesus as she is, and love the Church to a greater capacity than they could imagine.
Amelia taught PRE for 4-6 grade at St. Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar, Tennessee from 2014-2016. She served as Youth Director at St. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in Somerville, Tennessee in 2017-2018. She now teaches 7th grade (1st year Confirmation) PRE class at St. Philip. She's also a writer and frequent podcast guest on Our Warpath.
She has a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Francis de Sales, St. Padre Pio and St. Maximilian Kolbe.
To contact Amelia for speaking inquiries at conferences, retreats, or parishes contact her via social media on Facebook (Amelia Monroe Carlson), Twitter (@2_catholic ) or send a text to: (731)518-6923.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameliamcarlson
Twitter: @2_catholic (Catholic ministry account)
Twitter personal account: @ameliamcarlson
