QUOTE OF THE DAY
Nothing is more important... than that we should be delivered from a condition which gives other people looking at us, the impression that to be a Christian means to be unhappy, to be sad, to be morbid, and that the Christian is one who 'scorns delights and lives laborious days'... Christian people too often seem to be perpetually in the doldrums and too often give this appearance of unhappiness,, and lack of freedom and of absence of joy. There is no question at all but that this is the main reason why large numbers of people have ceased to be interested in Christianity.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones Spiritual Depression
posted by mjm @ 8:09 PM
6 comments
6 Comments:
I don't think this is the sole reason why people have become less interested in Christianity. If you're depressed work through it honestly and openly with contentment and joy. If you're not depressed praise be to God.
I think people are less interested in Christianity, because Christians aren't clearly teaching/communicating what Christianity really is. Also, that God hasn't softened those folks' hearts to searching and hearing truth. What do you think?
In Christ
Noah
I don't think it's necessarily the sole reason, but I do think it's a big reason many people are not interested in Christianity - regardless of whether or not they know what it really is.
I've been around the blogosphere a little, and in my discussions with some people of other "faiths" and some athiests, the subject of joy/happiness has come up repeatedly. They think, as Lloyd-Jones said, that "to be a Christian means to be unhappy, to be sad, to be morbid".
I don't think it's necessarily the sole reason, but I do think it's a big reason many people are not interested in Christianity - regardless of whether or not they know what it really is.
I've been around the blogosphere a little, and in my discussions with some people of other "faiths" and some athiests, the subject of joy/happiness has come up repeatedly. They think, as Lloyd-Jones said, that "to be a Christian means to be unhappy, to be sad, to be morbid". They often seem to get the picture of a boring monastic lifestyle that brings no pleasure.
No doubt...it is a reason:) I can't think of one effective Christian teacher that hasn't had open public bouts with depression, but they have always lived the example of joy in trials. I guess Jas 1:2 would speak to this. In the trials of live...depression or whatever live with joy. What a paradox:)
In Christ
Noah
I have heard sermons and churches focus heavily on the laws and not to sin. They teach shame and guilt of sinning and other church goers look at your sins and make judgements. When this happens, it is hard to not place the weight of our sins and the jugdement of others on our own shoulders. If this was my background, I would feel depressed as well. Good thing I rely on JC to bail me out.
Another observation that I have found is that if we give our love then we want results. We have expectations and desires for people to accept our love and gifts. But the funny thing about people, they may not want your love and refuse your help. The harder someone may try to give them their love, the more they feel rejected. The constant rejection or perceived failures can lead to Christians feeling depressed.
Just remember
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
It's not always the law though...I agree we are justified and that cost more in the passion of Christ than we can possible imagine.
Sometimes the heavyness...melancholy...depression we experience is spiritual warfare...
Physical sickness, constant pain, persecution etc.
Personally if I wasn't a Christian I would be put off by a shallow facade of only being happy and not experiencing any pain...because that's not life. When friends and family members die we weep. I would desire an authentic joy grounded in faith of truth in Christ rather than a fake being happy for happiness' sake. What's better, experiencing pain in life with future hope, or, like an unbeliever, facing pain in life with only damnation.
I think relevancy once again is grounded in truth which is really what we're talking about. Relevancy to the world... Which does result in true happiness, but sometimes happiness is hard fought, bruised, bloody, depressed yet rejoicing.
I think for unbelievers to see that life is still hard once a believer helps them to really count the cost. Because like two pastors in Australia this week we might be imprisoned or even killed for our faith.
I envision martyrs screeming a blood curling cry when they are tortured...and then singing God's praise in the midst of the pain. If unbelievers won't get this...it's hard to tell if they have really counted the cost of faith.
Just some thoughts.
In Christ
Noah
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