Just because someone grows up in the church, doesn't mean they don't have struggles.

I've been on Team Jesus for as long as I can remember. Yet, there are some things people need to know about Christians who have been there for a long time. The reason I feel this is an important issue to address is because I feel that people need to know that being a Christian for a long time does not fix every problem, and it certainly should not leave you feeling sanctimonious. Many Christians I am close to have expressed these concerns, or similar ones as well. Being transparent will lead to healing, reconciliation, and accountability.

1) I still struggle with doubts

There are times where I feel like prayer is empty, and I am alone in the cosmos.

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

James 1:5-8

2) Sometimes, I skip reading the Bible

Sometimes I am tired. Sometimes I am lazy. Sometimes I just don't want to. But I am almost always selfish, apart from God's grace.

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 3:16-17

3) I don't have all the answers

I firmly believe in apologetics, philosophical study, and the like. I think that the Christian worldview is best defended in the realm of thinking. But, I do not have all the answers to every question -- no matter how much I study.

"...but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

1 Peter 3:15-16

4) Living like Jesus is not always fun

There are times where I would much rather live for myself -- and too often, I choose to do so.

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived."

2 Timothy 3:12-13

5) Sex does have a strong appeal

I completely believe in abstinence before marriage, as prescribed in the Bible. This conviction, however, does not take away the fact that there is a large part of my flesh that desires sex. Christians are not blocks of wood simply because they make a conscious choice of sacrificing sex for a greater fulfillment in marriage and obedience to God.

"Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous."

Hebrews 13:4

"Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body."

1 Corinthians 6:18

6) I get frustrated with the Church

I love the Church. The Church is the bride of Christ. There are many things that make me very upset, however. The Church often acts more like a prostitute than a faithful bride, and it breaks my heart. I am included in this. The hypocrisy of many Christians taint the name of Jesus, and it is a source of true frustration and sadness.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Hebrews 10:24-25

7) I don't hate the idea of parties

I have had the conversation many times with friends about how we would be living if it wasn't for the transformative power of Jesus. Parties would be quite common in my life.

"Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires."

Romans 13:13-14

8) Family problems exist

Half of the church is divorced. I know a ton of Christians who are from broken homes, who dread being home because of the stress, or simply hardly talk to their parents.

"Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Colossians 3:13

9) I feel sometimes alone and segregated

Depression is something that grips many people in a dark stranglehold -- including those within the church. Many Christians feel isolated form other Christians because of the way that we talk to each other, with vain promises, coarse humor, and sharp tongues. Christians should be known for being inclusive (in truth and grace), and welcoming the unwelcome.

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Romans 12:15-18

10) I don't want to attend every single worship service offered in my county

Some people simply are in love with worship -- that great, and a blessing. Some people are not. Everyone should worship, because God deserves it, but don't think less of someone because they don't want to go to the fourth worship night that week.

"God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

John 4:24

11) I like the Weeknd's music more than I should

This point just represents that my heart often falls for things that are clearly not of Jesus, whether it be movies (Insidious), music (G-Eazy), video games (GTA V), or TV shows (Game of Thrones), my deceitful heart seems to draw me into things that do not represent Christ. And then it becomes easier and easier to rationalize that there is not actually an issue with what I am doing.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

Philippians 4:8

12) I am sometimes a coward when it comes to sharing my faith

We have the most incredible, mind-boggling gift in the universe -- and yet we get afraid to share that because someone loudly proclaims they don't believe the Bible. Where is our (my) backbone? People need Jesus and His blood covering their sins. Do we not love them enough to try to give them a remedy for their disease of sin?

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19-20

So the question arises, what is it that keeps me, or any Christian, from sinking into this wholly? Whats to stop me from giving in completely? It's so simple. We want to overthink it. We scoff at the "Sunday-school" nature of it.

The answer is Jesus. Jesus and the grace of God alone are what keep me from going to a party, never mentioning my faith, having sex, and skipping church for the next few weeks. The transformative nature of several spiritual disciplines truly usher a person into a life that cannot be understood by one who has not experienced it.

The Bible is transformative. It speaks to men's hearts, cuts sinful tendency to the bone, and brings wisdom and peace to the lives of people who live in a stormy world.

Prayer is powerful. This has always been one of my biggest struggles, but the more I pray, the more I cannot deny the peace in my soul, the way I interact with people being changed, and seeing doors open that weren't open otherwise.

Church community is necessary. There are many Christians who shun organized religion, pursuing "spirituality", in the name of hating hypocrisy. This sounds good, but the Word tells us to not abandon meeting together in love, with good works, and encouragement. The fact one abandons and condemns the Church is hypocritical in itself. Rather than doing this, we should devote ourselves to healing.

I am so selfish, lustful, angry, lonely, proud, depressed, lazy, and mean. But...

"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Christ lives in me. I am not my own. In Christ, I can be selfless, loving, forgiving, inclusive, humble, joyful, diligent, and kind. And I pray to God that I continued to be shaped into the man who represents Jesus and these attributes more every day. I hope that you do the same, and we can do it together.

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2