For years, I refused to accept Jesus Christ because of the preaching I was exposed to. And because of this, I mistakenly thought: “Being a Christian really sucks!” I didn’t want to join that club.That church was to my spiritual growth as weed killer is to a rose bush. I know what you’re thinking. “Why continue if you felt it was so bad?”

1. I wanted to find Christ.

• I mistakenly looked outward for this. Don’t do that! You’d think a church would be a safe place to find Christ. Not necessarily so!
• Jesus isn’t holding his breath at church waiting for you. And….He’s not lost.

2. I attended “that place” because of personal ties.

• I was a teenager. It was completely boy driven. Again…..Don’t do that!

Now……I didn’t need to be an adult, or a Bible reading- professed Christian to know things were a bit off. Here are some examples of personal beliefs/convictions that were imposed as absolute truth in the church I attended. OR……As I like to call it: How To Get a Teenager to Rebel Against God

• People engaging in sinful behavior deserve to get sick and/or die.

This made me think: I thought you went strictly by the Bible? Aren’t all sins equal? If I gossip, then I should die? Goodbye all school-aged children and people living in the suburbs.  Oh yeah….Isn’t that a bit judgmental and non-Christian. Just saying.

What ? I took a $1.00 from mom’s purse!

• Rapists and murderers have a place in heaven if they get saved on their death bed.

I’m thinking: Why bother with this church thing then? Okay…..I can wrap my brain around the fact that you need to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior to get into heaven, but……it can’t be that easy. There is no way you can led a horrible, sinful life, and then pull a Hail Mary on your death bed. I’m fairly certain that’s not what living in the spirit of Christ means. If that person is sincere, God will deal with them. That’s why there’s judgment and not just a stamp on your hand  or a glow in the dark wrist band saying you’re admitted.

• True Christian women shouldn’t wear pants, have short hair, or look too nice.

PLEASE!!!! Unless someone proves there was a Target or Macy’s on hand back in biblical times…..Well….I hate to break it to you, people were a tad limited with their wardrobe selections.  If God was truly concerned about fashion statements, he would have never allowed parachute pants or prairie shirts to be created. Let’s face it. We are really talking about common sense and decency here. Did you bathe? Is your left breast hanging out of your blouse? Are you wearing pull-away pants out in public? If so…..why? There is nothing wrong with looking nice or expressing your sense of style through your appearance. It’s about not putting vanity first. It’s about not trying to draw special attention to yourself through those means. And don’t get me started on women tempting men with their scandalous garments. I’ve seen men drool over women in sweatpants and hoodies.

Okay…..Blah, blah, blah…Stay awake!.

 

• Dancing is a sin.

Okay…….This isn’t Footloose people. Twerking is not dancing.

• Get saved or burn in HELL!

Fear-Driven Christianity: What a winner! You can’t become “saved” and then live how you like because you’ve got your free pass. If this is how it worked, then no one would need or desire  church, fellowship, the Bible or anything resembling Christianity. We would just go to the nearest drive-thru window and order our salvation from the religious menu at the nearest Jesus Juice, Papa John the Baptiste or Burger King of Israel. What a load! After getting your driver’s license, you can’t drive however you like. There are laws. When you get married, you’re supposed to be MARRIED, meaning no longer single. When you get saved, you’re supposed to try to live in the spirit and walk with Christ. Walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

Dude. Did you want your salvation now or after Spring Break?

In the end, I realized I didn’t have to be “scared-straight” to accept Jesus Christ or remain terrified to live in the Christian faith. Choices should not be fear-driven. If it’s based on fear, is it really a choice? Christianity is about faith, trust and love. If my only thought was: “Am I in the Heaven Club or not?”, then I wouldn’t be living my life in Christ or be glorifying God. I’d be too paralyzed in fear. No. I’m never going to be perfect. BUT…..If I am truly trying to live in the spirit, then I shouldn’t be scared about my salvation or anything else. Well…..perhaps I’d be scared about Members Only jackets coming back. Are there any members left? Anyone? Anyone?