Have you heard someone say; "If that person is a Christian then I don't want anything to do with Christianity"?  Another variation of this argument is "If the people who go to that church are Christians then I don't want to be a Christian."
Believe me, I am ashamed, embarrassed and quite frankly angered by what has been done in the name of Christianity.  I could fill this entire newspaper with horror stories of the abuse the name of Christ has taken.

What I want to focus on is the root of the problem with basing your decision on such logic.  What someone who uses this excuse is doing is dismissing God and placing the responsibility on a third party.

I am the father of four wonderful children.  As great as they are (they take after their mom) they still do things that are wrong (this is my influence coming into play).  When they are confronted, their favorite excuse is "I did it because (insert name) was …".  I have to bring them back to the reality that they alone are responsible for their own actions.  They cannot justify their faults by pointing out the failings of others. 

You have been given life.  You have been given free will or the ability to make your own decisions.  You and you alone will stand before God and give an account for your life and what you did with it. 

I try to be a good parent.  I make plenty of mistakes.  It would be a tragic mistake if I trained my children to follow others and to not take responsibility for their own choices. 

God is perfect.  He would not be if He held others accountable for our individual decisions. 

Jesus said that He was the way, the truth and the life.  He also said that there was no other way to find God and avoid punishment for our sins other than by trusting in Him.  He placed everything on himself exclusively.

We are to look at Christ not Christians in order to make our decision.

There is no one else and no other way but through Him.  You either ask for His forgiveness and trust in His salvation or you place your fate in your own works and/or excuses. 

One of the great promises that God makes is that if we seek after Him, we will find Him.  If we are honest and really and truly want to know God, he will reveal Himself.  He paid the ultimate price through his death on the cross to pay for our pardon.  With such an incredible sacrifice made, is it any wonder that he longs and desires for us to turn to Him and accept His gift? 

When you stand before God, how will you answer for your life?  What will you say to Him? 

Is there any legitimate reason why you will not turn to Him now at this very moment?  Your reading this article is not a mistake.  God wants you to know that he loves you more than you can imagine.  He wants you to turn to Him and receive His gift of grace.

While contemplating this decision, take your eyes off the creation and look to the Creator.