That Side of Christianity We DON'T Talk About | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

That Side of Christianity We DON'T Talk About

This is the hard part, right here.

10
That Side of Christianity We DON'T Talk About
Urbanna Baptist Church

As a Christian, there are certain things that I hear repeated rather often. “Jesus died on the cross for you,” to whatever extreme it may be presented at the time, is the most common one. Also on the list are things such as “God will never leave you,” or “He’ll never give you more than you can handle.” All of these things are good things to say, meant to comfort a Christian when he/she needs a bit of comfort to get them through a tough situation. It all boils down to this basic sentiment, which I also hear a lot in varying phrasings:

The only peace that can overcome the struggles of this world is the peace of Christ. Trust in Him, and He will get you through this situation.

It sounds good, right? “Focus on Christ, and you will find peace.” For some people, this is easily done. They really do put all of their focus on Christ, and while this doesn’t erase their problems, it certainly helps them get through it. Focusing on what WM. Paul Young, in his book Cross Roads, calls the “life-after” reminds them that this life is only temporary, and a greater reward waits for the one who endures.

Related: NYG And The Infamous "Jesus High"

For me, though, there’s one problem that no amount of comforting can solve. It’s what I consider to be the most difficult part of being a Christian. It’s the belief of conservative Christians that those without saving faith will be condemned to hell for all eternity.

Wow, am I really posting this on the internet? Yes, I am. You see, it’s something that Christians don’t like to talk about. After all, it’s certainly not a nice thing to broadcast to the world. “You don’t believe in Jesus? Have fun in hell!” At this point, several of you will point to the Westboro Baptist Church as a counter-example. They are an exception, certainly, and I don’t approve of their actions as a whole. But we, as a Church in general, tend to shy away from this touchy subject.

Perhaps that’s a good thing. I honestly don’t know. But for us who believe in hell as a place of punishment, the reality is there. And for some of us, it’s the most frightening thing ever. I’m not even talking about it as a punishment for us personally. After all, I know that I’m saved through my faith in Christ. It’s scary because of what it means for other people, especially those close to me.

Related: Let's Talk About Faith: Part 1 Of A 4 Part Series On Personal Values

I have family members, close family members, as well as several friends, who have fallen away from faith or have, quite simply, never had it. The knowledge that they’ll be suffering for all eternity certainly isn’t easy for me to deal with. No amount of cookie-cutter Christian comfort can ease this worry. Truth be told, I have no idea how to deal with this knowledge. It’s just there, weighing me down, and I can’t remove the burden from my mind.

Some people would say that I should witness to them more. They might accuse me, saying it’s my fault for not working harder for their salvation. Screw you. You think I haven’t tried talking to my family about this? One problem I face is that they’re people who have been through Christianity and have chosen to shed it as a snake sheds its skin. They already know what it’s about and have made their choices; how can anything I say change their minds?

Again, I hear the soothing words of a pastor: “Just trust God. He’ll make things right.” Not everyone comes to faith, though, so where’s the comfort in that? They may never be saved.

And where do I take this knowledge now? To the cross? I honestly have no answers. If you’re looking for a happy end to this article, you’re out of luck. It’s not coming. There’s comfort in my salvation, for sure, but that doesn’t help me with this problem.

We may try to avoid it, but the reality for us is this: It’s all or nothing when it comes to the “life-after” …and so many people have chosen the nothing.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2929
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1754
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

201020
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21418
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments