I listen to a lot of Christian radio and I am struck by how much gun rights and vitamins have become associated with our faith. Scattered amongst the sermons and talk shows are programs promoting health supplements and second amendment rights. While both of these issues are important, they do not define Christianity. Sadly, the secular world lumps all these things together and unfairly creates a Christian stereotype that doesn’t match the Jesus found in Scripture. Our faith should not be defined by the number of firearms in our gun safe or the number of pills in our medicine cabinet, but by our love for God and neighbor. Guns are a constitutional issue, vitamins are a health issue, but Jesus is a salvation issue, so lets not obscure the Good News with bullets or B12. Our faith is nourished with the bread of life and our battles are fought with the sword of the spirit so let’s help others see us as billboards for Christ and not infomercials for pills and pistols.

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13: 34-35)