We all have our own beliefs and worldview, whether we be a Christian, Muslim, atheist, or cosmic humanist. When asked by strangers on the street what we believe, we tell them, "I am this", or "I am that". But do we really, honestly believe all the facets of our religion, or are we just saying that we do?
My whole life I have grown up a "Christian", however, it has been more in word than in deed. I went to a Christian school, went through the motions, but really never stopped to think what my beliefs really meant. It just seemed like it was an ingrained part of my life that I did not really have to give much thought towards, like breathing.
This changed my junior year of high school. I had a teacher who completely challenged all my previous notions about Christianity. He presented it in a fresh, new way that I had never viewed it as previously. I realized that being a Christian or follower of Jesus is so much more than simply going to church, reading your Bible, and praying before every meal.
It is a complete and utter change in lifestyle.
Do your actions match your words? Do their actions match their words? These are two questions I started to ask myself during my junior year. I considered myself a Christian, but did I actually have any idea what that meant and entailed? I quickly realized that the life I was living, the life that many of my peers were living, was not the life of a follower of Jesus. Sure, I considered myself a good person for the most part, but why? Was my life motivated by my own wants and desires, or for other's?
I quickly realized that I had two choices: I could either fully commit myself to believing this Jesus guy, or cut ties completely. I no longer wanted to live in the "in-between". The middle ground is a dangerous zone, but I see so many people living in it, lost in what is truth and what is lie.
You have probably heard the phrase, "being a Christian is a lifestyle." As cliche' as it may seem, it is entirely true. You cannot be a Christian at church, and then go home and live a separate life there. Yet, this is something I have seen countless "Christians" do. Christianity has become more of a symbol of status than a committed way of life. Many people go to church so that they "look like a good person", when in actuality, they rarely listen to any of what is being taught. They show up, go with the motions, and then sit down with friends for lunch and gossip about the other people in the church.
Is this healthy? Is this uplifting? Is this loving?
I am pretty sure we all know the answers to these questions.
So, are you confessional, or are you convictional? If you are a follower of Jesus, do you tell everyone you are a Christian, yet think all the religious mumbo-jumbo is a bunch of bologna? Or, do you say you are a Christian, and truly adhere to the teachings found within?
Is your life defined by love, peace, hope, patience, and kindness? Or is it a testament of a different lifestyle?