Filed under: Christian Beliefs & Culture | Tags: article, believing, Christ, Christianity, faith, God, helium, Is Christianity Dying, Jesus
Yes. Or, at least the label of “Christian” is beginning to peel, crack and fade, revealing something of true worth beneath.
The Christian faith is not dying, but is renewed in the hope of recalling what the Good News really is…that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that none should perish but have everlasting life. That Jesus came to give us life, and that more abundantly. That we all fall short of the glory of God, but we are saved by grace. And, the nuclear reaction of that realization is clear in the eyes of young and old, alike…Today! Just take a look at the many active (as in, getting off the pews and into the streets) churches and youth groups that have bloomed around the world.
The contemporary idea of “Christianity” is flailing; a life that is (a) dull, judgmental or self-condemning. Or (b) a life that is contrary to the Word because we weren’t shown a genuine example of what a relationship with Christ looks like; or don’t feel the Word is relevant to our life, today.
There seems to be movement happening in the spirits of those who seek to know God, who are filled with the love of Jesus Christ and desire to see the world through the lenses of the Holy Spirit. An understanding that we are not saved by good deeds or by being a “good person,” but we are saved by faith (Rom. 3:28); that God did not put the burden of judgment on our shoulders but the opportunity to introduce others to the uniquely fulfilling life that God has planned for them (John 12:47); that there is truly such a thing as power through Jesus Christ to bind and break chains of addictions from drugs and sexual perversion, jealousy, lying and insecurity (1 Cor. 10:13); that He is the God that directs us, not arbitrarily, but for a greater purpose and with a plan better informed than our own (Jer. 29:11); that our souls, our every deed and thought lay completely naked before Him (Psalm 139:13-16), and still He loves us more completely, unabashedly and more personally than we can even hope to display ourselves (Heb. 2:6-8).
There’s a rebirth happening. A realization that we don’t have to be our own gods. That the big world around us and its problems are not insurmountable. It is an acceptance that we need God for everything and that we can go to Him with our smallest cares…because He is attentive to the details (Luke 12:7). In admitting our lack of power, we can finally allow ourselves to rest in His strength for everything. Once we stop trying to tap into our own limited capabilities, we free ourselves to draw strength from an unending Source; and buoyed by His love we are able to do all things through Christ (Rom. 8:37).
Today, Christian’s who have a relationship with Christ know themselves to be believers. To be friends and lovers of God. To be sons and daughters. To be dependents. To be in awe. It is this identity that shapes one’s approach to the people around us, the situations that are beyond our control; and our approach to life.
Yes, Virginia. Christianity is dying…dying to know God. (1 John 3:18 )
- Quo Elbert
for more commentary on this subject find this and other articles on Helium.com.
