The Christian Sweet Tooth

The more I think about it, the more I see why people who identify as atheists, agnostics, or followers of other religions tend to reject Christianity. There are many reasons that following our God would seem unattractive based upon our own shortcomings and failure to correct those. Some Christians can be hateful and judgmental despite Jesus' command to love one another (John 13:34). Others are ignorant in their understanding of Scripture, yet they act as though they know it all (I hope I never act this way, as I DEFINITELY don't know everything). Still more will pick and choose parts of Scripture and ignore the rest. That last reason is a major issue and the one I want to focus on.

It seems to me that Christianity has a sweet tooth. I don't mean that Christians love sugar more than those who don't go to church every Sunday (although, I really love my chocolate). No, I mean that Christians, primarily in America, have twisted the Gospel's message into another lifestyle that is supposed to make you feel good. I have seen far too many "fluffy" Bible studies that focus on all of the verses where God professes his love for us or that help us to be successful in careers, friendships, and romantic relationships. I would also be lying if I said I had never been bored out of my mind as I sat in a circle talking about how Jesus loves every single person and can count every tiny hair on my head (Matthew 10:30). Do you remember that feeling you get when you consume too many sugary treats and all of a sudden you feel like throwing up? Yeah, that is very similar to how I feel when I am bombarded by too many lovey-dovey devotions.

Please, do not misunderstand me. The verses that show God's beauty and love for His children are just as important as any of the others. They are part of Scripture, and obviously play an important role in describing God's intentions for the redemption and reconciliation of humanity through Jesus Christ. Verses that tell me that God will never abandon me (Matthew 28:20) and that He provides consolation (Psalm 94:19) have helped me to push through many instances of stress and desperation.

However, a problem arises when Christianity is only portrayed through verses such as these. Why? Human beings are exposed every day to countless products, people, activities, and so on that promise the same things: love, health, relationships, happiness, prosperity, etc. There is no reason we should expect people to turn to Christ when we present Him as nothing more than another self-love technique vying for their attention.

Another issue is that, by focusing solely on the "feel good" verses, we ignore many of God's attributes such as His justness and wrath towards humanity's disobedience. By overindulging in the sweetest Bible verses, God begins to appear more like Genie from Aladdin than the God of all creation as we curb our perspectives according what we want to see. Whether we like it or not, placing God in a box (or magic lamp, if you prefer) where we have a limited idea of who He is is spiritually destructive. It is idolatry. In this instance, we are not worshiping God in His fullness, we are worshiping a mentality of Him. I am guilty of having done this and also worshiping other things in life (schoolwork, social media, relationships, music, etc.), and I see no difference between the two. Worshiping a Genie-like God gets as boring as writing yet another paper or listening to the same song on repeat. The sweet tooth begins to rot, and I feel like puking.

We miss the excitement, the danger, the adventure, the tragedy, the trauma, the action, and the overwhelming victory of Jesus' resurrection and eventual Revelation. We miss the fact that following Christ is no walk in the park, and it absolutely does not promise an easier life. Rather, we are told that following Jesus will inevitably involve suffering (1 Peter 4:12-14). As Christians, we are called to live on the front lines of spiritual warfare, not in luxury. That is why Paul instructs us to "put on the full armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11). We must stand strong and defend our faiths. It is us and Jesus against the world (which is ruled by evil and sin) that hates us when we each identify as a μαθητής (disciple) of the resurrected Messiah.

So, should we make sure that people know that following Jesus can be extremely difficult and painful? Absolutely! That is the truth, but the Gospel also promises that those who do follow Christ will experience glorious eternity with Him. I can think of no greater purpose than to live as one of God's warriors and proclaim His name knowing that His will is guaranteed to come together for all who believe in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:28). I have already suffered and experienced far more pain than I ever could have imagined through my decision to follow Christ, but I can confidently say that it has all been worth it as God has built me up stronger through each trial. I know that I am bound to be hit worse than ever before, and sometimes it simply feels as though I am waiting for life itself to collapse around me. Yet, even if that is God's plan for my future, I know He will guide me through it.

By all means, hold fast to the verses where God's love oozes like honey and continue to taste the sweetness of His blessings, but please, do not forget the stories of anger, pain, and suffering as well as God's purpose for all of those people (Job, Esther, Hosea, Paul, etc.). The Gospel is far more exciting, dangerous, and overwhelmingly beautiful than any of us could ever begin to imagine, especially if we only hone in one bits and pieces of it. Let's learn to control the sweet tooth and present the good as well as the bad and the ugly: the story of the Gospel in all of its fullness.

#Candy #Sugar #SweetTooth #God #Love #Bible #Scripture #Hope