On May 30,2009, I stood before multiple witnesses and decided to make a commitment that would mark my life. It would be insulting to describe it as casual or cavalier, for it carried a measure of responsibility rivaled only by the weight of treasure that was to accompany it...the heart of my wife. That day I declared that she was my only option; there were no alternative choices. My relationship with her would determine the degree in which I would associate with any other woman. Her trust would be an important variable in the decisions that I would make and act upon. Our marriage was not to be a garment or a piece of jewelry adorned leisurely at will, but it was to be as tenured and inseparable as the very skin that we were born into. How, then, could I ever reduce such a intimate, communion of life to just a trivial and mundane activity? What would be the result if I treated this relationship as a hobby?
Unfortunately, I'm afraid that we have done this very thing in our contemporary Christianity, not considering the ramifications that would inevitably follow. How often have statements been made such as "I'm a Christian but..."? Take note: the conjunction, "but", in this statement basically nullifies everything that precedes it. It sets up the platform to compromise or justify any action that will follow, which would normally be unsuitable. "I'm a Christian, but I'm not just going to let him/her talk to me any kind of way". Usually it is prompted by someone being offended and what it generally conveys is the message that there is a definitive limit or condition to this association. So, depending on the circumstances currently present, the association may be, temporarily, of no consequence? If this is the case, then has Christianity joined the ranks of Facebook, adopting its own ''Subscribe" or "Unsubscribe" button for the users' convenience and preference? What does it even mean to be a Christian? Does it only signify sound morality? Is it disciplined regimen? Or is it just the default option on an application that asks you to disclose your religious views? I believe that there is a great contrast in how we define "Christianity" now and what it was initially intended to signify. As a matter of opinion, I don't believe that Jesus ever intended for our relationship with Him to correlate with our modern day definition of Christianity.
Our marriage could never thrive and be cultivated by reading biographies about one another and following a step-by-step program. Yet we employ this manner of logic in relation to God and wonder why we often find people standing with their backs to the church doors, handing the divorce papers to God. Our commitment has often traveled no further than the boundary of mere words. It is chauffeured by the misconception that a promissory note is the equivalent to actual payment. Saying that we are 'Christians' makes us no more committed to God than does a ring on our finger make us committed to our spouse. Christ says that our relationship is evident by the love that we show(John 13:35). His focus was never on a set of rules but on a change of perspective. He proposed that our relationship with the Father extended beyond titles and legalities. His purpose entailed reconciliation and His desire was to present an accurate depiction of who our Heavenly Father truly is.We have turned relationship into ritual observances and belief systems, therefore making it possible to easily dismiss or defer when suitable.What we have failed to realize, though, is that we are not dismissing a system, we are dismissing a Person. Minimizing our relationship with God to a set of principles and ideas is as impersonal as prearranging a marriage for two complete strangers. They may have information given to them about one another, but information does not equate to intimacy. Love(God) is not confined to regulations, systems or establishments. Love will permeate our lives in such a way that there will be no distinction in our reflections. Love will not be removed but will affect every aspect of our being. So are you in Love...or just a Christian?
