Christianity is… - 9 March 2009

This week we will be looking at what being a Christian means. There have been numerous events over recent weeks that have prompted me to think more deeply about this, and I would like to take the opportunity to share these with you this week.

Christianity is………boring!

Many people have a stereotypical view of a Christian – mild mannered people who enjoy  sucking on lemons and generally not enjoying life because we are too focused on thou shalts and thou shalt nots. It is true that the Christian faith has it’s fair share of these, but they are more about the setting of the boundaries of the Christian faith.

The word ‘mild’ also irks me as well. I am sure you will have seen the film adverts that say at the end that the film may contain ‘mild peril’ or ‘mild violence’! That to me is contradictory. Could a criminal plead in court that the violence he undertook was only mild, therefore it was ok? I think not.

If we examine the life of Jesus, I don’t think we could accuse him of being mild or boring. Here is a man who when he wasn’t happy with the trade at the temple didn’t just ask the stallholders if they wouldn’t mind moving on when they had finished their business, he was in there forcibly getting rid of what was wrong because he was unhappy with what was happening in his Father’s house. Crucifixion was hardly a ‘mild’ way to die, and yet Jesus went through with it when he knew that was his destiny.

So, a question. If I undertook a poll of your friends, would they label you as ‘mild’ or ‘boring’ because you are a Christian? If you think the answer is yes, can I challenge you about the way you live your Christian life. Whilst I am not encouraging you to a life of extremism, can I encourage you to live a Christian life that it is true to the way Jesus lived it.