Over vacation, I had an interesting conversation with my brother. Some of what we talked about is how so much of the Christian faith is trying to be ‘good’…and how so many Christians are actually quite nasty as a group of people.
First, let me define what I mean when I say that Christians are always trying to be ‘good’. If you’ve been to church for more than a few Sunday services, then I’m sure you’ve heard a message on improving your life…not lying, being less self-centered, sharing of your resources, how to be a good example…that sort of thing. I’m sure you’ve also heard the preacher say something to the point of:
“We’re going to pray now, and as you’re praying, why don’t you ask God to point out those areas of your life that need improvement, and as something comes to your mind, ask for His help as you work towards an image that is a reflection of Christ.”
Bleck. Turns my stomach even typing those words.
Here’s the thing: I don’t think that us ‘getting better’ or striving to ‘be good’ is really the point of Christianity…and there seems to be so much focus on it. In Jesus’ teachings, relationship seems to be a major focus. So if you forget about being good...and do nothing but focus on a relationship with God…then a side-effect of that might be that you’ll become something of a ‘better’ person…because you’ll be modeling principals which you know in the core of your heart . However if you’re constantly working on being ‘better’, and the relationship is pushed aside…then you’re going to be trapped in this obsession and not truly ‘get better’ at all.
So many people are worried about presenting the right appearances, the right way of talking, the idea that once upon a time your heart was corrupt and you were a sinner but God fixed that now and boy, aren’t you lucky! You now know sin because other people have talked about it…and once upon a time you experienced it. (On a side note it’s so easy to damn other people to hell as you present this persona you’ve created.) But where’s God in all of it? Where’s your relationship? Why isn’t that shining through?
At this point, while I’m sure there’s always room for improvement…I’m not sure I’m going to improve a lot. My personality is pretty set…from this point on life will probably shape it one way or another, but I am who I am. . . and I’m a person who really wants a relationship with God…not a façade that people are impressed by.
If God really said truth when he said he loved me…and I really believe it…then I’d imagine he loved me as I was and still am…and that he will love me just as much when I’m 80 and haven’t improved a lick…or have improved a lot…it’s unconditional…
But I’d really have to believe that, wouldn’t I?
First, let me define what I mean when I say that Christians are always trying to be ‘good’. If you’ve been to church for more than a few Sunday services, then I’m sure you’ve heard a message on improving your life…not lying, being less self-centered, sharing of your resources, how to be a good example…that sort of thing. I’m sure you’ve also heard the preacher say something to the point of:
“We’re going to pray now, and as you’re praying, why don’t you ask God to point out those areas of your life that need improvement, and as something comes to your mind, ask for His help as you work towards an image that is a reflection of Christ.”
Bleck. Turns my stomach even typing those words.
Here’s the thing: I don’t think that us ‘getting better’ or striving to ‘be good’ is really the point of Christianity…and there seems to be so much focus on it. In Jesus’ teachings, relationship seems to be a major focus. So if you forget about being good...and do nothing but focus on a relationship with God…then a side-effect of that might be that you’ll become something of a ‘better’ person…because you’ll be modeling principals which you know in the core of your heart . However if you’re constantly working on being ‘better’, and the relationship is pushed aside…then you’re going to be trapped in this obsession and not truly ‘get better’ at all.
So many people are worried about presenting the right appearances, the right way of talking, the idea that once upon a time your heart was corrupt and you were a sinner but God fixed that now and boy, aren’t you lucky! You now know sin because other people have talked about it…and once upon a time you experienced it. (On a side note it’s so easy to damn other people to hell as you present this persona you’ve created.) But where’s God in all of it? Where’s your relationship? Why isn’t that shining through?
At this point, while I’m sure there’s always room for improvement…I’m not sure I’m going to improve a lot. My personality is pretty set…from this point on life will probably shape it one way or another, but I am who I am. . . and I’m a person who really wants a relationship with God…not a façade that people are impressed by.
If God really said truth when he said he loved me…and I really believe it…then I’d imagine he loved me as I was and still am…and that he will love me just as much when I’m 80 and haven’t improved a lick…or have improved a lot…it’s unconditional…
But I’d really have to believe that, wouldn’t I?
1 comments:
In the end i beleive that there will be God, us and love and that's all we need... and that is all that we have right now, we just place things that block our view. That being said, I don't even know who this God person is anyway and I think that everything is ok and for some reason that freaks me out sometimes.
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