I often wonder about
Christianity. It blows my mind that there are millions of Christians in the
United States, yet there seems to be a disconnect between the New Testament
Christians and modern Christians. In the Bible the Christians knew what they
were doing, but I'm not so sure modern Christians have the slightest idea about
what the Bible says we should be doing.
As a Christian sometimes I don't know what I am doing. Sure I have all the phrases memorized that makes it look like I know what I'm doing but I'm tired. I'm tired of Church. I'm tired of telling people Christianity is a 'personal relationship with God' when really I treat Him like more of an acquaintance than a close friend. I keep him far enough away so that He doesn't change me but close enough so that I can call him when I'm in trouble.
You see what I mean? I get too busy with life that I forget to even talk with God.
Am I a Christian because I like having a 'community' of people around me? Is Christianity my medication to just get through life? Is God really there?
I get that Christianity gives hope to people who are hurting, in trouble, and who are afraid to die. But is there real hope beyond this life?
The Apostle Paul, who wrote most of the New Testament said,
"For if the dead
are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; and if Christ has not been
raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who
have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people
most to be pitied."(emphasis added) 1st Corinthians 15:15-19
For those who are hurting they hope that because of the death of Christ all wrongs will be made right. The people who hurt them will answer for what they have done, if they do not seek reconciliation through Christ.
There are so many injustices in the world that if there is no retribution after death, then there is little reason to even live out the rest of our lives.
Maybe Karl Marx was right when he said, "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of a spiritless situation. It is the opium of the people."*
Is it possible that Christianity is also only an opiate for people who are hurt? Are we to be pitied because of our hope in Christ? Or is there an undeniable truth to the death and resurrection of Jesus? And if Jesus has been raised from the dead, then what does that mean for us?
There is a lot of proof that Jesus did live and was killed. But so were dozens of other religious leaders who claimed to be the savior of the world around that time. So why did Jesus, and Christianity survive 2000 years after His death?
In the book of Acts in the 5th Chapter, verse 33-41, there is an incredible look into why Jesus Christ and Christianity has thrived throughout two millennium.
"When [the religious leaders] heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill [Peter and John]. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while. And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men. For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they(Peter and John) left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [of Jesus]."
Gamaliel had a great argument, he referenced 2 other leaders who 'claimed to be somebody' but when they were killed their followers scattered. He essentially said, "if Jesus is God, then we can't stop Him." Little did he know that when Jesus was killed all of His followers scattered,
"And Jesus said
to them, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs to
capture me? Day after day I was with you in the temple teaching, and
you did not seize me. But let the Scriptures be fulfilled.” And they all left him and fled."
(Mark 14:48-50 ESV)
But something brought
his disciples back and caused them to preach and teach to thousands of people,
travel around the known world, and eventually suffer horrible deaths. What
would cause someone to leave Jesus and then come back to be even more
courageous than they were before He died?
Luke 24: 44-49
provides us with the backdrop of the promise of Christ to his disciples:
"Then he said to
them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with
you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets
and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to
understand the Scriptures, and
said to them, “Thus it is
written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from
the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be
proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You
are witnesses of these things. And
behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are
clothed with power from on high.”' (emphasis added)
But this is the stuff
of fairy tales. I’ve been a Christian my whole life but I haven't been clothed
with power, or seen anyone raised from the dead. I think all of the early
Christians were liars.
Then again, I don't
really spend that much time with God. I tell him I love him but do I really
love him with all of my heart? Unfortunately, I don't; I have a family to lead,
a job that keeps my schedule full, emails to respond to, bills to worry about,
and countless other deadlines. Who has time to 'seek first the
kingdom of God and his righteousness' (Matthew 6:33a)?
Maybe I wonder about
Christianity because I’m actually not fully committed to Jesus?
If we gave ourselves
100% to Christ the things of this world would fade away. Jesus would fill our
every need.
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| http://www.notable-quotes.com/c/christianity_quotes.html |
*Karl Marx, Critique of Hegels Philosophy of Right
*C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
