williamdlongworth
Joined: 22 May 2006
Posts: 173
Location: Wherever I go, there I am
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 Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:37 pm Post subject: A Hard Day's Night?, or Easy Like Sunday Morning? |
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Dear Readers,
Who's right? Is it a struggle, or is it just one big hallelujah party? What is easiest and what is most difficult about being a Christian?
I recall a teaching one night at a UMM meeting. The chosen topic was about the struggles of being a Christian. The jumping off point was Paul's writing in Romans 6, 7, 8, and about being in a conflict betwee righteousness and evil. All in all, I thought it was a passably good teaching. A respected church member stood up and said that he knew nothing of the things we had spoken about. The Christian life for him, so he said, was pure, unadulterated joy.
Was he right?
If he is right, the vast majority of christians might just as well start buying their anti-depressants in bulk.
...but he's not right, in fact his statement is brutal in nature. Ideas like this can actually destroy the necessary hope a Christian can count on, that Paul assures one of, that they are not alone, and that others also struggle.
If Christianity were so easy, everyone would be doing it. In fact, it is a battle....and not of flesh and blood, but much more elusive and desperate....a battle against the sin nature. ..and non-believers are non- believers partially because they want nothing to do with something so difficult, so self denying.
A Christian with this man's attitude is either in denial, or not being realistic. I am hearing more and more in Christianity that being real is tough, but at least it is honest. Too many times it seems that Christians cannot admit they are not perfect, when an unperfect world is looking for people just like themsleves. People with whom we can all identify, not perfect, still sinners, but saved and changing by the grace of God.
Paul wrote of times when he despaired of life itself. There are repeated cries in the Psalms, asking God where He is and why He is silent, especially in difficult times. There is, Paul said, a raging conflict within us (Romans 6--8), and he cried out, "O, wretched man that I am!" Certainly, for anyone who reads the Bible even a little, and takes following Jesus at all seriously, it's a struggle, and sometimes a very difficult one.
"This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"--John 6-60.
Your Friendly Neighborhood Apatheist
(And it's no easier here),
~Bill |
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