Christianity Explained

Written by Troy Arnott who has given permission for us to use it. Thanks Troy.

To contact him please call New Community Ringwood on (03) 9876 0222 or visit www.ncr.org.au

So what is Christianity?

Some people describe Jesus as a good man who was the leader of a religious movement called Christianity. Yes he was the founder of Christianity, and has impacted the world like no other solitary figure, but he was not a religious leader. In fact he had much to say about religious activity.

Christianity is not about Religion

Religion is mankind’s way of trying to reach God. Religion in my thinking is all about rituals and rules, people trying to do something in order to make it right with God.

Things like: attending church at Easter or Christmas, giving to charity, serving the community, being a good person who shoots off the occasional prayer when caught in a tight situation, or maybe for some people a trip to the confessional when you know you’ve blown it.

These things might be good in themselves but they are our attempts at trying to square things up with God.

The only problem with approaching God in this way is that it always leaves you with the nagging question, "How good is good enough?" I mean how do you ever know if the number of good things you have done has balanced out all your shortcomings? What’s more, whose criteria are we to use as a measuring stick anyway?

Does this make sense?

Let me illustrate what I mean. Suppose this ladder represents a scale of goodness. The top of the ladder is moral perfection, let’s say a 10. Hmmm now in my estimation the only one I think who deserves to be up there is God himself. The bottom represents just the opposite; a big zero-real bad.

Now consider some really good people. Let’s say Mother Teresa, Ghandi, or Nelson Mandela. Where do you think they should be placed on this ladder? Now think of some really bad people. Don’t think for too long, it might get depressing. Where do you think you would place them?

Now what about yourself? Where do you think you should be placed?

Just before you do, I think it’s only fair that I tell you where I would place myself. Hmmm, I am committed to modeling my life after Jesus, and honestly, I know myself well enough to say that I would place myself somewhere below the middle of the ladder.

I haven’t embezzled millions of dollars, hijacked an aeroplane, or committed any real ‘biggies’ like that, but I do know that in comparison to God and those other ‘good people’ you have ranked, I would place myself below them.

So what about you?

Now I’m curious, based on this scale, who do you think should go to heaven? Where should we draw the line? Most people would like to think that the line falls somewhere just below themselves. I can understand that. Most of us would consider ourselves to be relatively good, at least good enough for heaven.

Would you like to know where Jesus draws the line? He said in a talk given on a hillside many years ago, that we should be perfect just like God! Ouch! I know, I felt the same way when I first heard this too.

He also indicated that in God’s eyes if you so much as entertain the thought of breaking one of his rules, then it is as if you have done it!

An angry thought, or lustful glance is enough to fail the entrance exam into heaven. Gulp – if that is the standard then honestly, I’m in trouble, and I think it’s fair to say that you are too!

If you’re not convinced that we are in the same boat, then let me ask you this, "How would you feel if I held a private showing of all your thoughts and feelings you have had over the past 24 hours?"

What’s more, would you mind if I invited those people who you have had those thoughts and feelings toward to come and watch the screening? Someone once said that the difference between humans and animals was that animals don’t blush!

So what do you think now? If Jesus believes that the measure for heaven is perfection, then wouldn’t you agree that we are all in the same boat?

Like passengers on the Titanic, we might kid ourselves into believing that we are sitting safe on the first class deck, but relatively speaking, we are all in the same boat, and it’s sinking.

Unfortunately she’ll be right, just won’t cut it in the Creator’s eyes. The consequence of this ‘condition’ is to cut us off from God. Like a relationship that has gone bust, but in this case eternally.

In effect then, Jesus was a great critic of religious activity undertaken as a means to secure a place in heaven or earn God’s approval.

This is why I say that Jesus was not a religious leader. If anything Jesus highlighted the inherent problem of trying to reach God based upon our own relative goodness. Bluntly put, we are simply not good enough. However, Jesus offers us something far greater than a list of religious duties.

Jesus offers a personal relationship

with the Creator.

Christianity is about relationships

God designed us to be relational. Jesus said that the first and greatest commandment was to love God. The second was to love our neighbour. One of our greatest human needs is to be in relationship with others.

I once heard that the silent killer of our Western world was loneliness. If true, then this just highlights the core need we all have to experience meaningful, satisfying, personal relationships.

However the Creator also designed us to be in relationship with himself. In fact he says that this is the primary reason he created us, to enjoy a personal relationship with himself and as a result experience better relationships with one another. Why? Because that is what he is like, he is relational and loving.

He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows that there is nothing in this world; no power, no material possession, nor any person that ultimately quenches our hunger to experience a fully satisfying life, other than through a genuine relationship with himself.

My experience tells me that even when I enjoy the many pleasures in life; like good food, entertainment, the latest holiday destination, fashion or even genuine caring relationships, that I experience momentary happiness but not that deep felt joy and satisfaction we all search for.

These things will never completely satisfy us. Only God can do that. That’s the way he made us. Someone once said, "You have made us for yourself God, and we will not find rest until we find it in you." A friend recently said to me, "I lived all my life with an internal pain inside of me. I tried to fill that with drugs, the fast life, and trendy gadgets, but they did not remove this pain. I have discovered that only God can do that." My search for fulfillment and inner peace has led me to agree with him.

A personal relationship with God through Jesus is the only thing that will ultimately afford us the peace, joy and fulfillment that we long for. Jesus himself said that he came that we may experience life, and abundantly so!

You might say, "Well I have satisfying personal relationships, and I’m pretty content with my lot in life, I don’t need God." Fair point, and I don’t doubt your feelings for a moment. However there is a word which comes to mind, perspective.

Have you ever considered that there might be more to life than what you have already experienced? If so, how do you know that Jesus isn’t a man of his word and has something far greater for you than you could ever imagine? Something like those people who said that humankind could never fly.....perspective!

Secondly, and sorry to bring it up again, but that personal moral condition we have already highlighted means heaven is only for the perfect ones. Accordingly, we all have an eternal problem that God can’t ignore. He might be loving, but he is also just and cannot turn a blind eye to our relative goodness. To paraphrase God’s assessment of us in Australian terms, "We have all gone walkabout from him". Our imperfect attitudes and actions are testimony to this.

Now this might seem a little old fashioned, even kind of embarrassing, but Jesus spoke openly about another place than heaven beginning with the same letter. He said that one day we will all stand before him and be called to account for our actions.

However this time it won’t just be a private showing of our thoughts and feelings over the past 24 hours, but everything we have thought, said, or done! Hmmm…. embarrassing, I know. Left to our own devises and God’s fair judgment, we would all stand eternally separated from him.

I’m aware that I have focussed upon the negative, but there is a great positive spin to all this. Quite amazing actually.

God knows that our greatest potential is to be in relationship with himself, but also that our greatest need is for forgiveness.

That is why he sent his son Jesus. He did not want us to be eternally separated from himself, so he sent Jesus to provide a means by which we could experience this loving relationship both presently as well as eternally in heaven after we die.

He loved us so much he couldn’t bear to just let us go walkabout without making a way for us to come home to him.

When Jesus died on that Roman cross 2000 years ago he said he was doing it for you and me. He said that his life was being given in exchange for ours, like a ransom.

In effect the cross serves as God’s huge billboard to the world saying, "Come Home All Is Forgiven." When Jesus was crucified he said it was the most genuine expression of love he could afford to us, so that through his sacrifice we might receive the forgiveness we all need.

As I said, quite amazing. However if you want to experience the life God created you for, you must respond to Jesus’ sacrifice on your behalf. It is not enough to just intellectually agree that what Jesus did was for our benefit, you must personally respond to it.

The Bible uses the word receive. It basically means that we must personally trust Jesus. This involves accepting that his death provides the forgiveness we need, but given that God brought him back to life, that he is the rightful leader and guide of our lives, indeed of the entire world.

Jesus has your best interests at heart and has a plan for your life that is fulfilling and meaningful. This is where the real trust comes in.

You might be asking, "Can I trust Jesus with my life and does his offer of forgiveness really wipe the slate clean?"

If Jesus is trustworthy, and he is who he claims to be, then he is the doorway to the most satisfying relationship you could imagine! A personal relationship with the Creator.

Does this make sense? Let me illustrate what I mean.

Have you seen the movie Les Miserables? Jean Val Jean is an ex-convict on the run from the ruthless guard Javert.

There is a powerful scene where Jean Val Jean is offered a free meal and bed for the night by the town priest. During the night Jean Val Jean steals all the silverware, and upon being discovered, he knocks the priest out cold and heads for the hills. So much for the gratitude! The next day unfolds in a most unexpected way.

Jean Val Jean has been apprehended and is forcibly brought before the priest who is nursing a most obvious blackened eye.

Upon seeing Jean Val Jean in the custody of the guards, the priest shouts, "Jean Val Jean I am very upset with you my son! Why didn’t you take the candle sticks? I told you that you were to take them as well!"

The guards stand up in surprise. "You mean that you gave him your silverware?" they inquire. "Yes", replies the priest, "But he did not take the candlesticks! I am most upset!"

At this he fetches the candlesticks and places them, together with all the other silverware, in Jean Val Jean's rucksack.

The guards depart without the pleasure of an arrest, leaving the two solitary figures standing face to face. "Why are you doing this?", asks Jean Val Jean, to which the priest replies, "Don’t forget, you’ve promised to become a new man. Jean Val Jean my brother, you no longer belong to evil, with this silver I bought you, I ransomed you from fear and hatred and now I give you back to God."

A powerful story of undeserved generosity. You might say, grace. This is the same kind of grace which the Creator offers through his son Jesus. You too can be granted God’s unconditional forgiveness through him.

Make more sense? Whoever receives this gift of Jesus, his forgiveness and leadership in their lives, will encounter a living relationship with the God of the universe! We might be on a sinking ship, but Jesus is the lifeboat to an eternal relationship with God. The offer is for you as well!

What does it mean to Receive?

For some to receive Jesus seems too easy, but actually it is the greatest decision you will ever have to make. God says that to all who receive Jesus he gives them the right to become part of his family. You can receive Jesus into your life by praying to God a prayer which involves; a thank-you, a sorry, and a please. Something like this:

Dear God, thank-you for your love for me. Thank-you that you want me to experience a relationship with you. Thank-you for sending Jesus. I am sorry for living life my way. I am sorry for the wrong things I have done. Please forgive me. I accept your gift of forgiveness through Jesus. Now please come into my life and lead me. Please fill me with your presence, your Holy Spirit. Empower me to live the life you desire for me.

This prayer is not some magical formula to God, but it expresses the kind of honest sentiment required to receive what Jesus offers. It basically affirms a desire to make Jesus the living centre of your life. It is like deciding to sit in the passenger seat of your own car and allowing him to drive.

Perhaps you have been reading and thinking, "Sounds reasonable, but I need time to think." Sure, go ahead, an important decision requires some necessary reflection. If you have questions still unanswered then I would encourage you to seek out a Christian to interact with. God is a gentleman when it comes to relationships, he loves you, but won’t force himself upon you. He leaves the ball in your court. Remember though, we all need to come to grips with this reality at some stage in our lives. So the ball is in your court.

If however whilst reading you have been impacted by the reality of these words and sense God speaking to you, then I would invite you to find a quiet place where you can verbalize this prayer to him.

It might seem strange, praying into thin air, but I can assure you that God hears all the same. If it is any easier, perhaps picture Jesus standing in front of you and speak as if you are talking to him.

If you have responded to God in this way, then can I simply say how thrilled I am for you. God is even more excited and says that at this very moment he is throwing a rather large party in heaven for you.

At times like these it can be important to mark the moment. Below there is a place for you to sign and date. It can serve as a reminder to you of the significance of this moment. Why not take a pen and fill in your details now?

Today I have received Jesus into my life.

Signed........................................	Dated.......................................

May I encourage you to tell others about your decision, especially a Christian friend who can support you in this. We all need the encouragement and affirmation God intended for us. A relationship with God opens up a whole new life journey, but now with him. He promises to lead you and teach you as you trust in him.

If you would like to receive some helpful resources to assist you in your new found relationship with God, or connect with our church community, then contact:

The Seymour Uniting Church on (03) 5799 1771 or

www.seymouruc.org.au

Today I have received Jesus into my life.

Signed:..................................................... Date:...................

Jesus said, "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly."

John 10:10