When Christianity Complicates

Consider this fictional idea…

Two people grow up with strikingly similar personalities, and likewise similar beliefs instilled into them. However, that is around where their similarities end.

Person one lives in a spiritually-fed zone. They are so surrounded by spiritual input on every side that they barely need to lift a finger to keep that “feeling” fuelled that they are doing what is right. They could live off other people’s faith if they so desired. They feel like they are in God’s will because the faith level around them is so strong. They have reasons behind their belief, perhaps flippant, but still reasons nonetheless. They have what they would consider to be a relatively strong, established faith; there is little that tests it, but it would hopefully hold if there was.

Person two lives in a spiritually-slammed zone. They grow up with Christianity fed to them in a sermon both at church and at home. Everything fed to them is always right. There is no discussion. Circumstances are rough; nobody understands what they have really been through in their confusion which is caused mainly by the double lives lived by the ‘religion-feeders’ in their life. They grow cynical. Doubt replaces faith. Yet still they are determined to seek out what is right, however doubtful they are. But prayers seem to hit blanks. Hope wanes.

So then, is a person’s spiritual health based on how how much wholesome love they were fed from birth, or the extent of the tribulation of their undesirable circumstances? What if the ‘religion-feeders’ in person two’s life believe they are working under God’s complete will and doing what is best and right for person two? Can you really look down on person two as having no real hope if they continue down doubt’s hopeless road? It has been said that people who grow up in a situation similar to person one’s should rightfully be called ‘blessed’. Does that mean that person two isn’t?

What am I getting at? Well, things are never as cut and dry as humans would like them to be, and as much as having every injustice spelled out to us might help, in the long run it would probably have been better to work through the circumstances as they came. Character is valued more highly by God than our salvation, right?

Does God extend more grace to those who have less fortunate circumstances? I believe He does. Does He answer prayer? Yes. Why is person two’s prayer going seemingly unanswered? I don’t know.

With that said, consider these thoughts when thinking about your opinion, and that is really the point of this post: to start you thinking. (I sound like I’m giving an assignment to an English class)…

- Circumstances should never define a person.

- All earthly righteousness is as filthy rags.

- If you are privileged enough to have grown up with a family who genuinely cares, never look down on it.

- God judges the thoughts and intents of the heart.

- To whom much is given, much is required.

- The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance – offences get you nowhere.

- Tribulations, like many other hardships, refine character. As long as your heart is reinforced enough to take it.

- Be encouraged, God knows us and is in love with us unconditionally; He has our greater good in mind.

God, please give me the faith, help me walk on the water. (Now I sound like Rob Bell.)

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