The Failure of Christianity - By Robert Pedersen
As a religion Christianity has spread across the face of the globe changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of people... so how could there be failure in that?
If you are 100% satisfied in your Christian religion and find that all your spiritual needs are met then you may wish to stop reading right now.
If, on the other hand, you have a sense that something is missing or lacking in the spiritual experience that Christianity has offered you, then the rest of this article may be helpful to you.
Many Christians are finding themselves in the uncomfortable place of feeling like they don't really know God in spite of the belief system they have about God.
This situation is alarming for people - especially when you've been taught that your particular brand of Christianity is "the" way to love, serve and know God. Likely you've also been taught that if there is anything amiss - it lies within you. You're not willing enough, obedient enough, or don't read your Bible enough, pray enough, etc.
You may have tried renewing your commitment by throwing yourself into doing more of what you're supposed to do - to no avail. The sense of emptiness prevails. What then?
Chances are you become convinced that there is something wrong with you. You observe your brothers and sisters in Christ attending services, getting involved in church activities and seeming to enjoy great peace - so it has to be you -- right?
You can't get any answers that offer real solutions. You can't just quit because then you'll go to hell. Staying where you are isn't working either but at least it's safe -- or so you've been told... though now you're beginning to wonder.
You read about Jesus and his relationship with God and those around him. You feel that there's something about Jesus's life that isn't available to you today -- somehow a relationship with God must have been different back then perhaps?
If you find yourself in this position, first understand one thing -- You are not alone. There are many, many other believers experiencing the very same thing. We don't know how many but indications are that the numbers are very high.
As a religion Christianity has spread across the face of the globe changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of people... so how could there be failure in that?
Church attendance and membership is suffering like never before. The number of people unaffiliated to any religion are increasing every year.
What is going on?
You are experiencing what I call the failure of Christianity.
Briefly it is this: Christianity gives us God in a box - a nice neat little package where everything is well defined. You simply follow the enclosed instructions and you have a relationship with God along with eternal salvation.
It works. It works for a lot of people. And that's wonderful for them. But what about you? You want a little more than what's in the box.
Are you to be condemned because you want more? Are you wrong or not enough in some way because you want a greater relationship with God than what you found within your box? Some would say yes.
I say ABSOLUTELY NOT -- for the following reason.
You see, God cannot be contained in ANY box. It doesn't matter the set of beliefs about God you adopt. No theology can contain or explain the totality of our infinite God. Thank God!
So while there are many who are quite satisfied with the contents of their Christian God theology box it's quite alright that you are not.
The problem intensifies when you consider looking outside your box to satisfy that emptiness within.
You see, your Christianity taught you "Thou shalt not go outside thy box" and "Everything that thou needest is contained within thy box".
But it just doesn't work for you. Herein is the failure of Christianity revealed.
Christianity teaches about an omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God while handing you God in a very limited package.
There is no offering of hope outside "the box" in fact, eternal damnation awaits outside the box - and yet the box isn't working for you -- so you're stuck. Either stick with something that doesn't work or go to hell. Not great options are they?
We could call it the catch 22 of Christianity: You're damned if you don't and certainly don't feel saved if you do.
At this point you're only left with one option: Seek God wherever He may be found.
Consider the advice of the prophet Isaiah:
Isaiah 55:6-7
6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:
7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. (KJV)
Often these scriptures are aimed at the unbeliever. However if you're finding yourself disconnected from God in your current situation then it's time to forsake your old ways, your old thoughts and return to the Lord. Even if your current ways and thoughts are Christian based -- if they're not meeting the need of your heart to be one with God, it's time to let them go. It's clear from Isaiah's message that there is nothing to fear!
So if you're finding yourself experiencing the failure of Christianity, rejoice! God is calling you outside the box of your current belief system.
You may as well pack your bags and prepare yourself for an amazing journey!
If communicating with God is your goal, you will enjoy a free course I have created that discusses come common mistakes that prevent communication with God.
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