People have accused Christianity of being a crutch. I can understand that argument.
Sometimes expressions of Christianity have condoned evil in society. Sometimes expressions of Christianity has accepted evil among its own leaving people hurt. Sometimes expressions of Christianity have actively endorsed systems, institutions and political structures that are inhumane.
The thing about these expressions of Christianity, though is that they bear no relation to the source of the faith. When we look at the source of the faith and the Word that expresses Him, there are things that challenge me. These are in no particular order.
1. God Is Holy
The concept of worship is not a challenge to me. Seeing and understanding worship a bit more over the years, I see how people devote themselves to something or someone. That’s not difficult. What is difficult is engaging with the Holy God described in scripture. The encounters described with God in His holiness highlights a lot about Him, and it also highlights something about us, namely …
2. Man Is Sinful
Sometimes I don’t know how I feel about efforts to make human beings think they’re awesome. I understand the importance of positive thinking. I get that people need to love themselves and not do themselves down. Yet there’s something a bit delusional about that. There’s something of the fantasy in that ignoring and neglecting God for who He is, unless He can fit their convenient picture of a God who endorses their unholy lifestyles. Indeed it is the challenging thing to recognise my propensity to do the same thing and forget the holiness of the God who made me in His image.
3. God Expects People To Be Holy
Here is the hilarious thing. We are not holy – evidently. Indeed part of the sinful nature deal sees us ignoring God. Yet here is Jesus saying that for those who follow God – they must be holy. Meaning they can be holy – and should be holy. That’s very challenging. In as much as I love Him, and serve Him, it is very challenging to live up to that expectation.
4. Husbands Are To Be Sacrificial
There remains a problem with how people view male-female relations. Much has been talked about equality, sadly to the neglect of the fact that there are differences between both genders. That should be best expressed in the marital relationship and it should be best expressed in the husband’s devoted commitment to a sacrificial extent to his wife. It should be – and often isn’t. My wife can testify to that. Yet I have the example of how Jesus loves His church – it is an example I can follow. In following that example it can help a bit more with getting the gender relations in line with God’s will. Still a challenge though.
5. Following Jesus Should Be More Important Than Anything
This is arguably one of the biggest challenges in being a follower of Jesus. It comes back to the worship issue we spoke of earlier. When I worshipped football it was easy for that to take first place. My thoughts, my focus, my heart’s concerns were completely devoted on the game – above all else. My Mum would be talking to me, but I was focussed on the game. My brother would want my attention, but I was thinking about the last score. Now my allegiances have changed and responsibilities have grown it is even more challenging to have that devotion – and exceed the devotion in recognition of who the Lord is in my life.
6. Forgiveness
Boy oh boy oh boy. Living free of the weight of bitterness, living free of the weight of the hurt, living free of the desire for vengeance, living free to see the perpetrator of harm to me and my loved ones and blessing them. That whole thing is a huge challenge. To be fair, in the moments I experience it this is exactly that – living free. A freedom that is more liberating than words can describe. Living in this freedom – that’s a challenge.
7. Grace
Just when you thought the forgiveness thing was heavy you check it’s close relative – grace. A profound concept linked to the character of God. For Him to exude something that not only gives good things to those who don’t deserve it but makes everything possible to reconcile a rebellious creature and have arms extended to redeem them to their creation purpose – that still amazes me. That still challenges me to the core of my being. For not only does it challenge me to accept and embrace it. It also stimulates me to live that out to others.
8. The Kingdom Of God Turns Upside Down The Status Quo
I don’t go out of my way to upset people. I am not a fan of confrontation. Which makes following Jesus very challenging indeed. The Kingdom stands for something that upsets people all the time. For every sign and wonder there are always those who seek to shut it down. For every expression of grace, there are always those who are threatened by it. For every stand to make peace, there are those whose power structure is undermined by such moves. They killed the author of Life because He threatened what they were all about. They still kill people who dare to stand for the Kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy.
9. Life Is Best Expressed In Community
You can’t trust anyone. That’s what I’ve been told. You can’t trust him, you can’t trust her, you can’t trust them and you end up thinking you can’t trust us either. What’s sad about that whole you can’t trust anyone thing, is that it doesn’t take us far at all. Great things are done together because people learn to trust each other. Relationships thrive and prosper because people learn to trust each other. God created relational beings who are at their best when they relate. To relate we have to trust and appreciate that life is better with us as a community, this is the incredible story of the outpouring of the Spirit in the new community of believers. In a selfish world, that won’t trust, that is a challenge.
10. Love
The holiness of God is challenging. The grace of God is challenging. The love of God is no less so. It is not the soppy love full of sentiment that we see in all the best romances. It’s far greater than that. It is not the familial, fraternal camaraderie that connects brothers and good friend. It’s far greater than that. It is not a love strictly bound by emotions and feelings of physical attraction. It’s far greater than that. The love that would create, restore and fulfil the beauty of all that reflects its Creator. That is a great challenge.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J, Dryden
Life With CD 