That brings this discussion to the next point. Though abortion is only one example, there are many other firm beliefs that are often adopted by those termed 'Christians'.

We can say Christians are misunderstood, but really the great misunderstanding is with God, and how He is perceived.  And since Christians are as diverse as politicians ...it can be assumed that many of them lie also. But, since most Christians are not seeking public office ...they usually limited it to lying to themselves.

So, since many are so confused about God ...the representatives who claim to also believe in Jesus, are often confused representatives.  Therefore, those who look to Christians and what they believe, or may be perceived to believe ...are often confused also.

I'm going to take a conversation of a gentleman who has passed away over 15 years ago.  Though highly respected, and respected also by me, I will respectfully not use his name. Let me say that he was traveling from place to place ...and some of the places in between were rather barren.  He picked up a hitchhiker at a remote diner ...after a brief conversation that revealed that they had plans to go in the same direction.

The conversation began with simple talk for several miles ...and part of that simple talk revealed that the driver was a Christain.

Passenger: "I'm sorry, but if you want to stop and let me out, you can."

Driver: "Here??  We are 15 miles from nowhere ...why would I let you out in this barren area??  I thought you wanted a lift to the next town?"

Passenger: "Well, I was dishonest with you."

Driver: "How's that?"

Passenger: "Well, you're a Christian ...and I'm gay."

Driver: "You weren't dishonest with me."

Passenger: "Well, I could have been more honest ...and tell you I'm gay."

Driver: "I didn't tell you that I'm a Christian ...before I agreed to give you a lift."

Passenger: "But, would you have agreed to give me a lift if I had told you I was gay?"

Driver: "You are a person who needs a ride."

Passenger: "I thought Christians hated gays."

Driver: "That's kind of different ...I thought Christians were supposed to love, not hate.  I thought to love your neighbor as yourself was an important commandment ...secondary only to loving God."

Passenger: "Well, I thought God hates gays."

Driver: "And I thought God was love."

Passenger: "Do you think I will go to hell for being gay?"

Driver: "No, of course not, you won't go to hell for being gay anymore than I'd go to hell for allowing you to ride in my truck.  You feel being gay is inside you ...and you are inside my truck.  I feel this truck is a part of me ...so, I guess someone could say that I have some gay inside me.  Nobody goes to hell for what they do ...we go to hell because we reject the grace that God so longs to give to us, regardless of what we do during any particular time in our life."

Passenger: "But, this has been a long time."

Drive: "Well, I've been struggling for a long time with resentment towards my dad ...and though any of us may not have had victory over a certain struggle, does not qualify as not struggling.  Sounds to me like you are struggling, so perhaps you should look to a God who loves you, instead of towards One whom you think hates you.  I've found victory over a struggle comes much easier that way."

Passenger: "But, it seems that being gay is the only way for me. Wait, what are you doing ...you're going off the road!  Are you okay, are you having a heart attack!  Speak to me!"

Driver (turns towards him and smiles):  "If you speak to God with such urgency, I'm sure He will show you another way ...one that you've not tried before. I tried not having resentment towards my dad ...and it didn't work.  I needed to try not having unbelief, and that's what I really needed.  After that, the feelings towards my dad seemed to come so easy."