Can I be a Christian and still be myself?

[XChristian]

You can only be who you are! If there is a God he will understand that. He made you after all!

 

[heron]

I only answer to my family and myself and I like that. I don't want to feel like I'm being judged constantly when I don't do anything wrong. I'm married, I'm told I'm a great mom

It is true that Christians can get overbearing and demanding -- anyone can, no matter what faith. That does not mean God condones it.

Notice that Jesus reprimanded the Pharisees for picking at details and demanding all sorts of legalistic actions from people, all the while oppressing them. If Jesus, who is the core of Christianity, had something to say about it, then it is important to listen.

Jesus also stood behind the law. He tried to explain that there was a heart to the Laws of Moses, a sensibility that was made to protect and preserve, not to extract blind obedience. Putting limits on criminals is a basic concept in any community. The subtler laws also had some sensibility to them, like respecting foreigners and keeping the poor fed.

If there are people imposing restrictions on you, then they are as much in sin as what they accuse you of. Being Christian does not mean being religiously correct. We are only "made righteous" through His forgiveness of our stupid and rude actions.

You stand before God, and will eventually be accountable for your choices. We can't say "sure go ahead," especially with practices outside of what God asked of people, and imagine that our blessing has any merit. It is up to you to seek for truth and fair living.... to find what our Creator asks of you, and walk in it.

Being a good mother is a good sign of respecting the same things God is hoping for in your life. God is not completely about religion. He is about life and love.

 

[Ave Maria]

You can still be yourself but you will need to repent of your past sins.