A Life in Search of Meaning?

By Michael Griego on April 24, 2020 • ( 0 )

If Christianity is untrue, or merely a religious crutch for weak and needy people, then why are Millennials coming around in droves to a newfound belief in the Lord of Lords? ◊

Christianity is so often misconstrued. Yes, it gets classified as a religion, even a belief system, but that gives it short shrift. Despite being of personal importance and merit to millions around the world over centuries of world history, it is anathema to so many.

Many will merely tolerate a Christian faith in others while diminishing them in their own mind. Many put up with Christians and their faith and see it as merely a foolish religious belief. They’ll accept it as long as the Christian does not preach, proselytize, or force their tenets on another person or condemn their life choices.

And so Christianity gets put in the same bucket of other religions by skeptics, the uninitiated, the uninformed, or the burnt out – it’s just a way for people to feel good about themselves in a harsh and troubled world.

What They May Say
Non-Christians worldwide will advance the typical responses:

“Yes, Jesus was a good teacher but he wasn’t God,”
“Jesus was a myth or lie that grew over time by devious or corrupt people,”
“Christianity is a crutch for weak and needy people.”
“I’ll believe in Jesus if he can show me a real miracle.”
“Jesus has no relevance in our modern technologically advanced society,”
“What difference does Jesus make? I know so many Christians that are such hypocrites.”

We can all add a myriad of responses people make today against Christianity. Even nominal Christians will pay lip-service to Jesus as a holy man, divine even, but fall short of submitting their lives to Him as Lord of their life.

What They May Mean
Underlying the skepticism and lack of belief by the non-believing, non-Christian is their real statement of truth:

“I haven’t studied it; I just don’t believe it.”
“I’ve tried to study the Bible, but I just don’t understand it.”
“I really only know what other people have told or taught me.”
“I think God, if He exists, is angry with me.”
“Science is the answer; the Bible and Christianity are anti-science.”
“I don’t want to have anyone else control my life and what I do.”

The unfortunate result is a world that is rightly confused, distracted, uninformed and belligerent against the One True God that loves them unconditionally and yearns to walk in a relationship with each of them. The chasm is deep, wide, and entrenched.

What They Might Consider
Consider the following series of points nicely laid out in a profoundly effective Christian outreach program at JesusCares.com.¹ This program is fielding thousands of 24-hour hotline chat inquiries about Christian faith and Jesus. It seems that in light of the current Coronavirus pandemic, many people (particularly disenchanted and fearful Millennials) are connecting online with volunteer Christian coaches at JesusCares.com seeking answers to common questions asked by those who have lost faith or never had it.

Here is what is listed right on their Chat page which invites people to engage in a safe and anonymous chat conversation:

Regardless of what others say about you, Jesus loves you deeply and He hurts when you hurt.
Your journey may be more difficult than you thought and more lonely than it should be but you are not alone.
Your past doesn’t have to define your future… God gives second chances.
Even when people turn their back on you, God will never leave you.
Your life does have a purpose and you are significant.
The problem is that we all have sinned and that separates us from God.
“For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.”
The Bible says that “The wages of sin is death”.
But the good news is that God made a way.
God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
He lived a sinless life and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
“God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
Jesus rose from the dead and now He lives in heaven with God His Father. He offers us the gift of eternal life — of living forever with Him in heaven if we accept Him as our Lord and Savior.
God reaches out in love to you and wants you to be His child.
“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name.”
You can choose to ask Jesus Christ to forgive your sins and come in to your life as your Lord and Savior.
If you want to accept Christ and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying this prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life. I ask you into my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always.”

Love Before Answers
I had a chance to listen in this week to JesusCares.com/Groundwire founder, Sean Dunn, as he spoke on a national call with some of the volunteer coaches. I heard various stories of young people chatting online (openly or anonymously) seeking more from life and asking about how to tap into peace that comes from a relationship with Jesus. Many want only to connect and chat about their search; many want to start a Christian life and acknowledge that step of faith in Christ. All chats are handled with gentle grace and loving care.

What’s clear is that many people, as I did many years ago, can come to a vibrant and real faith in Jesus without all of their questions being thoroughly answered. As is often stated, Christianity is not a religion – it’s a relationship with the One and Only Living God. That relationship grows once the first step of belief occurs and one moves across that threshold. After that, it’s a lifetime of learning and growing, experiencing everlasting peace, even in an imperfect world.

Do you really understand the Jesus Christ of Christianity?
_______________________________
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe. – Hebrews 1:1-2

¹ The Jesus Cares Outreach, http://www.jesuscares.com, is a media initiative of Champion Ministries, dba Groundwire.