What is Christianity anyway?
What does it mean to be a Chrstian?
How is it any different than any other religion?
At first glance... there is no difference, each week millions of Americans go to church, come home, work throughout the week only to repeat that process. They leave virtually no impact on the world, yet, they still consider themselves to be Christians. They may even get a little risky and brag about how they are good people because they go to church ever week. How can that be all that Christianity is? How can thousands of people do that and then say they are followers of Jesus Christ?
I often find myself in one of these ruts... it usually starts small and then turns into a huge battle of wills. I often find myself facing some sort of issue that I cannot escape... Where is God? Isn't he supposed to rescue me and make everything better? I mean, I payed my dues you know, I went to church every week and prayed before bed. At times I even pick up my Bible and read a few verses!
Christianity is different. Most religions focus on what you do and how often you do it. They are composed of different rituals you do at different times to gain enlightenment or earn the favor of the gods. When following Jesus, there is no need to gain his favor, you already have it. All he wants is for you to love and adore him, to follow him and share the joy of your life with others. So simple, yet so difficult.
I often find myself trying to buy myself out of a hole of sin by doing good things. If I just read my Bible and pray for a week I should be good in God's eyes, then I will feel better about myself.... How is that a way to live?
Mark tells us of a time when Jesus was confronted because his disciples were not following the correct religious code. They had not done the proper washing rituals before eating, (aka--they didn't pray God's blessing on their food before they ate it). Jesus' reply was brilliant. He remind the accusers of the contradictions they allowed to take place in their church. They were allowing men to give money to them over taking care of his parents.
I also think of a time when Matthew recalls one of the greatest sermons ever given. Jesus speaks of the religious people who pray in the streets for all to see, putting on a show for everyone to see how religious they are....
Today Christianity has become more of a status icon then anything else? The other day I was watching CNN and they were talking about GOP presidential candidate Michele Bachmann and her husband and how they were "born again" Christians. What does that even mean? That is the most unappealing thing I have ever heard? Sure I may be a "born again" Christian... but I would never go around describing it in that way... It is just a status icon... a way to win the hearts of thousands of American voters....
Christianity started as a man who had a vision, a vision that can and will change the world. It wasn't an aspect of life, it was a life style, a life choice. It was something that you chose knowing you would probably die for it. When the first believers were called Christians in Antioch they were not being complemented. It was more of an insult, (aka--insert insult here ****).
In the future I hope to accept more of this idea that Jesus is not looking for more religiouly active people, but that he is looking for people who are willing to change their lifestyle and act in ways never seen before. Reaching people doesn't happen in that hour slot Sunday morning, it happens the rest of the 167 hours that week....
Until next time...
laterDays
