Salvation

Sometimes I wonder what it means to "be saved." To acquire "salvation." It's funny, cause it almost makes it sound like we have the ability to obtain it. Which, in a sense, we do. We have to choose it. But after that... it's God that saves us. If it weren't for Him, we wouldn't even have the choice to choose it.

Talking about "being saved" could easily sound condescending to those that don't know God, whether they willingly choose not to believe in Him or maybe they have never heard of Him at all. The funny thing is, us "Christians" aren't any better than those people. In fact, we're almost in a worse situation. I say "worse" in the sense that we (Christians) are aware of our problems--it's probably the most significant difference between those that believe in God and those who do not.

In some ways, it's been hard growing up in a Christian home. I've almost grown up in this "church bubble"--always knowing what I believed, knowing that there was something bigger out there. It wasn't until I got to college that I realized that it was time to take ownership of my faith. I will not lie to you--it has been an extremely rocky ride. Most of the time I feel like an "outsider," like one who does not believe in God. And I can sympathize with those who don't. Some of the stuff we do in Church--it can seem kind of crazy. Maybe it's time we put away all of our "Christianese" and quit taking pride in our churchly ways. I don't think it draws people close to God; if anything, it probably pushes them away.

Our words, our actions don't save people; God does. Let's be real with people, show them that we're human like they are. After all, that's what we all are: human.

Whatever salvation means to you, remember that it's found in seeking God and believe in who He is. The biggest difference between you and the person who doesn't believe, is that you have hope. Let that hope shine. Let that love shine. I believe that this is what Christianity comes down to. When one isn't sure whether God exists or not, it's the love that shines through. It's doing things that don't make sense. Loving those who don't share your beliefs. Helping the prostitutes, the drug addicts, the thiefs--not throwing all these Christian words at them, but loving on them. There are plenty of "good people" in the world, and if Christians look exactly like these "good people," then something must be wrong. Christians aren't just "good people." They weren't created to be just "good people."

Was Christ good, or was he crazy? What made Him stand out from the crowd?

Maybe it's time we quit being so "good," and start being a little crazy.