If we were all honest, I think we’d realize Christianity has become somewhat of a whimpy religion – at least in America. I think it’s because we’ve lost a little of the fire. I’m responsible. You’re responsible. We’re all part of the problem.
I think if we could have more of these three things – emotions, criticalness, and forcefulness – Christianity would become strong again. Perhaps, though, we already have those things, we’re just approaching them the wrong way. Here’s what I mean.
1. Emotions
Christians, certain streams of Christianity in particular, have a bad reputation of being overly emotional. But emotions are important, especially when it comes to empathy. We should be more emotional when it comes to feeling what other people feel.
In Isaiah, it talks about Jesus bearing our pain and our sorrow on himself. It’s our job to do that figuratively for other people – to bear their pains and sorrows. It’s called compassion. And we need more of that if Christianity is going to be strong again.
2. Criticalness
Many Christians have no problem criticizing politicians or the mega-church pastor down the road. That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about critical-thinking, especially for what you and I believe. It’s time we examine what we believe and why we believe it. If we would just do self-examination, we would’t have time to criticize other people.
Do I really believe in the love of God? How should I live my life differently if I do?
Do I really believe I was rescued from eternal punishment? How should that affect the way I relate with other people who haven’t found that salvation?
Let’s start critically thinking about what we believe and then let’s add this:
3. Forcefulness
I’m not saying we should force our opinions on other people. (We have plenty of reputation in that area.) I’m saying it’s time we start putting force to the things we believe. That means giving. That means going. That means serving. That means loving.
It takes guts to actually act on the things we believe as Christians. Christianity shouldn’t ever be able to be accused of being a whimpy religion. It was founded in blood – a man laying down His life for the sins of the world. Let’s carry on that tradition by living a gutsy faith. Let’s make Christianity strong again.