Why are you bothered being a christian?
Are you bothered that nearly 2/3 of the current world's population [cf some 4bn] are not christians - in traditional christian thinking that is an aweful lot of people who aren't going to heaven.
Recent methods by those who are bothered to try and change these numbers often seem to me to presupose christianity is right and everyone else is wrong, we have the truth and you need to listen [a very much them and us mentality] - in other words if you knew more [Alpha] or were scared more [where are you going when you die] more pople would become christians? Do you think that is fair? Does that matter? Does that bother you? How else could we, as christians, behave/act/communicate?
I'm thinking about this whole subject of why would anyone be bothered to follow Jesus and therefore be bothered for anyone else to - or in old money should we bother about evangelism and other religions/beliefs/faiths. To help me in my thinking I'd really love your help please in answering 3 simple Qs. I'm interested in your experiences about...
- why are you bothered to be a christian, or why are you not bothered?
- If you are a christian what does that mean to you [what difference does it make, some recent examples would be great, etc]? And
- What do you do as a christian to make anyone else want to be one [NB: not what you think should be done or what you would like to do]? If you're not a christian what advice would you give here? [practical examples would be great!]...
There are no right or wrong answers. This isn't a test. What ever you think/feel in response to these Qs would be great and I'd love to hear your honest view[s]...
Thank you very much! i'll play to and leave my answers in the comments section...
ok me thoughts...
1) why i bother being a christian, i loved the stories of Jesus i read as a kid and just love the love, kindness, compassion and passion it showed. I want that and realise that i am not good at being good by myself. I find christianity is a hope for a better world - i guess i'm learning i need help and at the same time can do things to help...
2. practical differnece - helps me stay married, gives me support, prayer, encouragement not to give in to my selfish impulses when life is hard, helps me change from being sexually self obsessed, offers me a different rhythm than just me me me - and is helping me learn how to be giving...
3. what i do - hmmm not a lot. i give money to church. i serve in church. I try and be friends with the neighbours and there for my friends who aren't christians. Daniel is being dedicated soon so we have invited all our friends to come along whether they are christian or not. i guess i try and be humble and listen to people rather than expect them to listen to me - although i pretty self opinionated so that doesn't always work...
Posted by: Paul | 08 February 2007 at 07:00 PM
A very interesting prelude of questions? To piggy back your stat, 80% of those 1/3 will within five years leave their faith and to that we must ask why.
I bother to be a Christian so that I might spend eternity with my Lord and savior Jesus Christ and to be saved from an inevitable eternity in hell. But one certainly can not stop there. In 1Peter 1:16 we are called to "Be holy because I am holy." Oh man here we go! If I am truly a Christian than I am to be Christ like, to which Christ commanded then to be Holy. I will not bridge in detail this subject here, but you can read more of my thoughts regarding holiness at www.seeksignificance.blogspot.com. However we have been called to consecrate ourselves, or set ourselves apart as holy vessels and to that I find much difficulty. I am not a Christian out of hope of an easier,, less complicated life. To the contrary, the Christian life is a difficult one, but it is a TRUE existence. It is a purposeful life. It is a joyful and victorious life.
The word of God is truth and through that word I find my theology, but it is at the point that my “theology meets my reality” that I begin to see victory in my marriage when I sit and pray with my wife asking God to give clarity and wisdom to issue that we are facing together. It is then that the truth of His word is revealed and we find refuge together. It is when my “theology meets my reality” that I can sit with another man who is facing giants in his life at work and together we claim victory over those giants through the story of Joshua and Caleb as they spied out the promise land.
You see, it is not my responsibility to make anyone want to be a Christian. I am responsible to share the truth about a God who loved us so much that he sent His son to be disgraced, spat upon, beaten, ridiculed and crucified so that I might spend an eternity with Him in heaven. It is the responsibility of the holy spirit to move those in need to the well spring of eternal life. I choose to answer the call of sanctification and love people where they are at and help them follow Jesus. I choose to speak the truth of salvation by grace and that we are all sinners fallen from grace. Christ’s life was one of sacrifice and servanthood, yet he was an authentic Man of God. I live the life of a Christian because it is a life of Significance!
Your Brother in Christ
I Corinthians 16:13
Posted by: Jake AKA HOOKEM | 09 February 2007 at 04:59 AM
I don't fret about being a Christian. I figure Jesus wasn't a Christian yet he loved people extravagantly. He showed unconditionally grace. Loving people is more important than superficial religious labels such as Christianity. Don't get me wrong here kids, I am a "Christian" yet it's more important for me to Love and show grace than to flash my Christian certificate around. In my personal life I have found that showing what Christianity is and what it was meant to be, is being an example of Christ. SHOWING LOVE AND GRACE!! Not hating someone because they hold a different religious view. Or better yet, hating people if they have a different sexual orientation. The only way the Christian community can grow is if people maybe lay the doctrine and the bible down and love people. I think the bible is an amazing tool. However, I think the Christian community has made the bible their Saviour. If we look at how Jesus lived on this earth more than we look at how we can catch people in their sin and "Save them from their wicked ways" I believe people will have a different perspective on Love, Jesus, and Christianity! Good Questions!!
Posted by: Michael | 09 February 2007 at 05:50 PM
Hi Paul,
Interesting Q's.
1. I'm a Christian for lots of reasons, but it all comes down to God reaching into my life when I couldn't have cared less about anything "spiritual" and drawing me to himself. This is probably the only reason I still am a Jesus-follower.
2. The difference this makes to me, for example right now, is that life is crappy, but I see God providing, supporting, etc.
3. I'm doing two main things in regard to people who aren't.
The first is that I'm not only spending time with Christians! And I've especially focused on developing friendships with people who Christians have traditionally not gotten to know.
The second is that a lot of what I've published and taught has focused on trying to help Christians see people as God sees them.
Posted by: John Smulo | 09 February 2007 at 08:07 PM
Virgin Blogger so be kind.
1. why are you bothered to be a christian, or why are you not bothered?
I became a Xian when I was about 4. I’ve no real memory of not being a Xian. But why now? Good question. I suppose there are a number of reasons.
a) not sure I know of any other way to live.
b) I think I believe it (at least I hope I do – mustard seed of faith), so in essence I want Christianity (or elements of it) to be true.
c) it gives hope and purpose to life. If life had no purpose and had no hope well why bother with it?
2. If you are a christian what does that mean to you [what difference does it make, some recent examples would be great, etc]? And
It used to mean everything but things have changed. I was previously a minister and since a small kid my whole life was orientated around Christianity (not sure that means it was always centred around Christ). Previously every major decision was prayed over and I would not make that decision without some guidance from God. Career (now ex), wife (now ex), buying a house (now ex), buying a car (now ex) was prayed over.
Now things are different? Some would say I am more secular, worldly. Maybe I just understand guidance and God differently. Maybe I was created with free-will to use it? Previously I saw my life with God like riding a tandem. Where God was in the front, in control of the journey and I just sat behind, making no decision, pedalling away, striving to reach the destination.
Now I am wondering if life with God is more like a ramble in a field rather than a cycle on a tandem along a narrow road.
In a field there are more choices, on a road one.
In a field there might be moments when I am walking alone, God might be in a different section. (I’m not talking omnipresence here before you all get jumpy – rather a sense of his absence – which equates to absence)
So returning to the question, what difference does it make?
I still pray, go to church, tithe, read and think about God/Christ and Christianity – but are these superficial?
I suppose it gives me a purpose in my search for meaning in life. Being a Christian directs this search. I believe that there is a God spaced shape in people’s lives and for me God is still the centre; however the area around this centre has just changed shape and is bigger.
3. What do you do as a christian to make anyone else want to be one [NB: not what you think should be done or what you would like to do]? If you're not a christian what advice would you give here? [practical examples would be great!]...
Be real and authentic. That’s it. I talk about my faith, my struggles, my desires about God and my despair at God.
Posted by: Pete | 09 February 2007 at 08:59 PM
"I don't fret about being a Christian. I figure Jesus wasn't a Christian"
lol good point! :)
Posted by: Helen | 09 February 2007 at 09:07 PM
thanks Jake - when theology hits reality is a really interesting point - i guess that is where are beliefs are actually tested - it's ok thinking i'll be loving if the minute we meet someone who threatens us we become aggressive etc. Your comment picks up a thread/thought/ache that's in me at the mo which is it is not so much what i profess to believe but what i do that reflects that belief that is just as [if not more] important...
Posted by: Paul | 10 February 2007 at 08:39 AM
Michael thank you - it is a great point about how often our 'religion' can get in the way of us actually practicing the way of the person we follow - Jesus. I think that is something that echoes with what i read in chapter 8 of a new kind of christian where one of the characters talks about Jesus being the person we follow/saves etc not christianity. It's not always a distinction i maintain very well i.e. you have to do it this way which = my way when in reality that is just equalling something that i think christians should do...
Posted by: Paul | 10 February 2007 at 08:42 AM
thanks for the honesty John - i think there is something on the drawn front - i often find that i go along way from Jesus and yet there he is asking me if i'll come back or i feel increasingly empty and what to go back - it's something about repenting/rethinking my life that is an ongoing process...
i love what you do about helping us christians to see other people and to love them and engage with them - you have awesome gift there my friend!
Posted by: Paul | 10 February 2007 at 08:45 AM
Pete, thank you for your thoughts - wow that's like 3 whole posts in one - clearly you have a closing down prayer ministry ;) lol. Or maybe the things we pray about are not as permanent as maybe we think they'll be when we ask for them - it's a good Q that you raise in me which is what do we use prayer for - internal validation, smug superiority that God is on my side, or something more humble - or maybe God cares less about what car we drive but more about its impact on the planet, or who we marry but how we learn about love?
I like your acknowlegement of yourself in a field rather than just sitting behind God in a tandem - where me being a lazy git would think why bother peddling [so i salute you bro for your dedication] - yes God might be all present but it doesn't mean we always feel his presence - i wonder if that is cos for me that is an emotional thing rather than a realisation that God is present in the people in my life, or in the situation itself rather than always this person who leaves footprints in the sand..?
Posted by: Paul | 10 February 2007 at 08:52 AM
Helen - you are great at spotting the highlights!!! :)
Posted by: Paul | 10 February 2007 at 08:53 AM
Thanks Paul :)
Posted by: Helen | 10 February 2007 at 01:08 PM
thanks helen, and ty :)
Posted by: Paul | 12 February 2007 at 11:01 PM