I grew up in the church.
My family was at church every time the doors were open.
I pretty much thought I had figured this "Christianity" thing out.
However, growing up in the church, I developed some misconceptions or lies that I believed about Christianity but aren't true at all.
It’s obvious that non-Christians have some misconceptions regarding Christianity,
but often those who grew up in church like myself, do as well.
Maybe just maybe, you are believing the same lies and misconceptions.
Here are just a few of the lies I used to believe about being a Christian was about:
1. Your behavior affects God's love for you.
I always thought my actions made God love me more or make Him love me less. If I did what I was suppose to do, God would be proud of me and love me more. If I didn't make the right choices and fell into temptation, God would be disappointed and love me less. But the truth is you don’t have to try to use your behavior to earn God’s love. He loves you despite your behavior.
2. You shouldn't express your doubts and struggles.
Sometimes the Christian life is hard. At times, there are no easy answers or explanations. Instead of suppressing our doubts and struggles, we should admit them to God and ask others to help us walk through them. You don't overcome difficulties of life by ignoring our doubts and struggles; you overcome them by inviting God to work in those areas.
3. Church is a weekly event and a building.
Growing up in the Bible belt and going to church, sometimes just felt that's pretty much what everyone did. I felt like worshipping God happened on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. That Church was compartmentalized and strictly happened in the brick building with the steeple. But Church is the Body (people worldwide) and we just happen to meet in a building. Church happens everyday; In coffee shops, at dinner with a group of friends, Bible studies at the local pizza shop, etc. We weren't meant to love an event or a building, we were meant to love God and love people.
4. Church leadership is for the Super-Spiritual.
Not true at all…I mean, look at me. I have a full-time church job and I struggle just as much as the next guy. I sin. I give into to temptation. I break. I struggle. I overcome. I love. I get angry. I make mistakes. I rebuild and I repent. I used to think if you worked in the Church, you had it all together. God uses the weak for His glory. And He can use you. You don’t have to work yourself up to be some sort of spiritual superman in order to serve Him.
5. The Bible is about rules.
Do this. Don't do this. The Bible isn't about rules, it's about a guy named Jesus and how he wants us to fall madly in love with him and have an intimate relationship with him.
I challenge you. Do you believe lies/misconceptions because that is always what you were told or always how things were done? Own your faith. Don't do something or believe something just because that's what you were told. Believe it because it's truth and you found it out! Do some digging. Get real.
My family was at church every time the doors were open.
I pretty much thought I had figured this "Christianity" thing out.
However, growing up in the church, I developed some misconceptions or lies that I believed about Christianity but aren't true at all.
It’s obvious that non-Christians have some misconceptions regarding Christianity,
but often those who grew up in church like myself, do as well.
Maybe just maybe, you are believing the same lies and misconceptions.
Here are just a few of the lies I used to believe about being a Christian was about:
1. Your behavior affects God's love for you.
I always thought my actions made God love me more or make Him love me less. If I did what I was suppose to do, God would be proud of me and love me more. If I didn't make the right choices and fell into temptation, God would be disappointed and love me less. But the truth is you don’t have to try to use your behavior to earn God’s love. He loves you despite your behavior.
2. You shouldn't express your doubts and struggles.
Sometimes the Christian life is hard. At times, there are no easy answers or explanations. Instead of suppressing our doubts and struggles, we should admit them to God and ask others to help us walk through them. You don't overcome difficulties of life by ignoring our doubts and struggles; you overcome them by inviting God to work in those areas.
3. Church is a weekly event and a building.
Growing up in the Bible belt and going to church, sometimes just felt that's pretty much what everyone did. I felt like worshipping God happened on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights. That Church was compartmentalized and strictly happened in the brick building with the steeple. But Church is the Body (people worldwide) and we just happen to meet in a building. Church happens everyday; In coffee shops, at dinner with a group of friends, Bible studies at the local pizza shop, etc. We weren't meant to love an event or a building, we were meant to love God and love people.
4. Church leadership is for the Super-Spiritual.
Not true at all…I mean, look at me. I have a full-time church job and I struggle just as much as the next guy. I sin. I give into to temptation. I break. I struggle. I overcome. I love. I get angry. I make mistakes. I rebuild and I repent. I used to think if you worked in the Church, you had it all together. God uses the weak for His glory. And He can use you. You don’t have to work yourself up to be some sort of spiritual superman in order to serve Him.
5. The Bible is about rules.
Do this. Don't do this. The Bible isn't about rules, it's about a guy named Jesus and how he wants us to fall madly in love with him and have an intimate relationship with him.
I challenge you. Do you believe lies/misconceptions because that is always what you were told or always how things were done? Own your faith. Don't do something or believe something just because that's what you were told. Believe it because it's truth and you found it out! Do some digging. Get real.