Is living a Christian life hard in today's society?

[Yahshua]

Ah seriously is living a life of been a child of God hard yes however it is not about the outside society and how the society develop over time. It is mostly about inner battle that makes this life hard. The struggle against our old self the old nature make this life hard. However in Christ there is always victory so no matter what is going on in the society today or tomorrow our Battle is not against this world but the world above and against our old nature.

[Swordguy]

i have to agree with saint kevin we are called to where and when we are, weather it be to fight int he lions den, or to fight in sodom. to each the battle will be hard as Christ said it would be, but He also said He will igve you all the strength you need. and remember that His word is our substance, fellowship is our support, prayer is our weapon. if we ingnore these things we become weak.

[Fireproof]

It's not necessarily easy all the time, but it's far from impossible. If you try to be kind to everyone around you, not hold grudges against those who wrong you, and turn the other cheek, it's completely achievable. Not perfectly, as we're all human, but you certainly can do a good job. For example, least week, I got tackled into the new from behind, hit in the head with a snowball and called a couple of bad names. The guy who tackled me? I didn't start a fight with him, I asked him why he did it. It turns out he mistook me for someone else. Now I joke about it when I see him. The guy who got me with the snowballs and the names? Yeah, he's a butthole, but I'm not going to make a big deal out of it. It'd only escalate the situation.

[Taka]

Ah seriously is living a life of been a child of God hard yes however it is not about the outside society and how the society develop over time. It is mostly about inner battle that makes this life hard. The struggle against our old self the old nature make this life hard. However in Christ there is always victory so no matter what is going on in the society today or tomorrow our Battle is not against this world but the world above and against our old nature.

Exactaily. Being a Christian is hard from a social pov, because we are always the outsiders, we never "fit" neatly into what the world things, and (if we are serious) make them a little uncomfortable by not compromising our values. But, it is always hard to be a Christian, because of sin, as simple as that.

[That Dude]

As I have said before I don't think that it's a whole lot different...whereas we have porn nowdays the early christians had prostitutes on every corner and sexually explicit statues displayed publicly. Same with the violence thing...It's not really that big of a difference than what the early Christians had to struggle with.

[~Natsumi Lam~]

i dont find it hard at all... more of a fun challange... only issue i find for me is tv... shows in general are very bad nowadays and it is hard sometimes to decifer to watch a show are not... but than i ask myself. If Jesus was sitting next to me. Would he ask for the remote or laugh at this show?

~NL~

[Puritan]

The Christian life IS hard at times, but I think you make a good point, it makes life a fun challenge and far more interesting. If I had to live life the same way the bulk of people at my school do (Drinking, drugs, sex, etc. I go to the #1 party college in the nation, according to some) I would not only be full of self-loathing and fear because of sin, I would be downright bored. It is far better to resist evil for all of ones life and go through hard times for Christ than to float through life, even if one does come to ones senses and become saved in the end.

[Lady Macbeth]

The Christian life IS hard at times, but I think you make a good point, it makes life a fun challenge and far more interesting. If I had to live life the same way the bulk of people at my school do (Drinking, drugs, sex, etc. I go to the #1 party college in the nation, according to some) I would not only be full of self-loathing and fear because of sin, I would be downright bored. It is far better to resist evil for all of ones life and go through hard times for Christ than to float through life, even if one does come to ones senses and become saved in the end.

You're at UW-Madison, Puritan? I was at UW-Barron County last year - we're about 60 miles north of UW-Eau Claire.

And yes, the "college party life" is not all it's cracked up to be. It's actually rather stupid and makes its participants look stupid, so it's not for me either.

Overindulgence in anything is never good, and the "college party life" encourages overindulgence in toxic substances and dangerous sex habits - so much for the "intelligence" of going to college.

And don't worry, you're not alone, even at Madison - I have several friends who went to Madison and were likewise not interested in the partying, or the tipping over buses and pulling down goalposts for that matter.

[Puguni]

Well, like everyone else, it's been hard for a while, ever since Jesus was resurrected. But do you know what else is hard? Coming out of your door everyday and loving what and who you see. It's easy to be disgusted with someone. When times get hard, unleash the love. ^_^

[PigtailsJazz]

Verses from my quiet times that has touched on this subject greatly....considering I've been struggling with it:

John 17:14-15 - "'I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one.'"

Actually, the whole passage of John 17: 13-21 talks about this....being set apart in a fallen world.

[HisaishiFan]

Hmm . . . I agree that every age has it's tempations. I think one of the greatest areas of weakness for me is just allowing myself to be distracted from having a passionate relationship with Christ and my family. I don't mean distracted by porn or drugs or something like that, but just distradcted by every day stuff: spending too much time on the computer, reading too much -- basically stuff that is self-focused and inward. My husband is a model of loving self-sacrifice and being real. He really inspires me to want to be more like Christ.

[That Dude]

I think that being distracted by everyday things is a huge problem for everyone.

[CreatureArt]

I was thinking the same thing about distractions - its not just the 'big' ones but the million and one little things each day - stress, homework, travel, games... that I find tough. Unless I resist them they cause me to lose my focus and prevent me from spending daily time with God (which I've been struggling with a lot lately).

I've got to say that I've read trough the 5 pages of this thread (lol, it took a wee while) and I really appreciate what everyone's had to say; the points that they have made, views put forward and advice offered. I've definitely had a lot of food for thought reading through this and I appreciate the way everyone's discussed it.

I've tend to agree with AnimeHeretic, who raised the point that all eras have had their difficulties and challenges (I'm only roughly paraphrasing here; forgive me if I've misinterpreted what you've said). I believe that every era has faced great trials and challenges. Even in these times relatively free from physical persecution in the West we face subtle pressures against our faith. So many Christians lose their faith in college, according to much of what I have heard and read.

I suppose what I find hardest about being a Christian is the day-to-day living. Not particularly the big things but the smaller ones I run into daily: whether or not to share my faith with my friends at particular points, how to do so; where to speak up in defence of my faith and where to remain silent. Not to mention the life-long struggle against sin and temptation. As for my plan of action in response, it is simply to do the best that I can. To repent when I fall (which is often), humble myself as I'm reminded of God's grace that accepts me NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I fail, or how I do so - and then get back up, put my eyes on God. To ask for His guidance and, if I'm not sure, pray that God will lead me and follow my conscience and his Word as best as I am able.

In all honesty, though Christian life is not always easy, for me I have always seen it as the easier alternative for myself. I cannot speak for anyone else, of course, but for me if I chose to turn away I would never be satisfied, constantly looking for something and I would be bound with a sense of despair and meaninglessness. Knowing and remembering that God loves me and that he has guided me through the worst and the best in my life helps me to stay on track and to turn to him rather than hide when I stuff things up.

[JediSonic]

b/c of original sin, living a perfectly christian in life is IMPOSSIBLE in today's society. I'd say in general I consider it difficult though. The more really christian friends you have the better things are, though.

[CreatureArt]

If when you say really Christian friends you mean people whose walk with God inspires you... I agree. When you have Christian friends who are a good Christian influence and who can build into your life as you build into theirs it is amazing how much of a blessing it can be. I make that statement from the experience of my good Christian friends (many of them on cAA) in my own life: I am so grateful for them and the way they strengthen me.

I'd cautiously agree that living a perfect Christian life is impossible in today's society - but it really does depend what you deem the 'perfect Christian life' to be. I mean, it is technically possible for each and every one of us not to sin again until the day we die, but to be honest somehow I don't really expect it to happen.

[Lady Macbeth]

So many Christians lose their faith in college, according to much of what I have heard and read.

College is such a double-edged sword for religion.

On one hand, it offers a huge opportunity for education and access to materials and information that average people have a harder time finding.

On the other side of the sword, there's a huge push to eliminate religion from modern America, and the nation's colleges are a good breeding ground for that. As my mom once put it, "I'm sending my kid to college to get an education, not go to church." (Note that my parents don't think very highly of religion in general, Christianity or otherwise.)

And, as I mentioned before, there's plenty of encouragement of excess in every shape and form in college social life. Being free of parents usually means being free of restrictions in a young adult's mind, and with the restrictions off, they feel the need to go to the other extreme. Most who don't kill themselves in the process realize it's a stupid waste of their life and grow out of it after the first couple years of college, but some don't until they're out of college, and a smaller amount never do at all.

It's also often a young adult's first opportunity to rebel against things and people that made them unhappy as teenagers. Unfortunately, one of those "things" is often Christianity. And, because they're not satisfied with Christianity, they feel the need to fly in the face of it and persecute other Christians.

I have a prime example of that from real life - a friend I made while at college. She is not a bad kid]One[/b] passage in the Bible, quoted by others (she has not read it herself), has driven her not only away from Christianity, but into persecution of Christians.

She and I had a long discussion a few days ago about the positive aspects of Christianity, and she freely admitted that much of what I said she had never known and gave her something to think about. Had I not finally talked to her? She'd probably be yelling, "I hate Christians!" every time the word "Christianity" or "Bible" came up, as she's done for the last year and a half.

That's why I encourage religious groups, especially those that are student-run and student-oriented, to be on campuses. [Our particular branch of Campus Crusade for Christ annoyed me to no end, but that was because I was tired of being told at least once a week (if not more) that I was going to Hell. They also had a strange habit of targeting quiet and docile students for their promotions and materials, rather than active, outgoing students. They gave an abridged version of the New Testament to another friend of mine who all but broke down in tears in front of me because she didn't really want to take it but was afraid to say no, yet they never once (despite all the times I was informed that I was going to Hell) gave me so much as a flyer about their club. Nevertheless, I didn't and still don't have a problem with them being there and offering their club and ideas to people they feel need it.]

That's where I see the biggest challenge to living a Christian life - finding balance and religion in necessary institutions that encourage wild diversity and fluctuation between extremes.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Lady Macbeth it's interesting to hear your points of view. And nice to have a non-Christian that doesn't think all Christians are hypocrites or peodophiles etc. Thanks for contributing and being part of CAA!

[paradigm_shift]

Well, like everyone else, it's been hard for a while, ever since Jesus was resurrected. But do you know what else is hard? Coming out of your door everyday and loving what and who you see. It's easy to be disgusted with someone. When times get hard, unleash the love. ^_^

I guess you got me there.

Everyday it seems like I have to face the harsh reality as a Christian. Sin is everywhere and it's inside the hearts of everyone. Nobody is perfect and often times it requires you to be patient with yourself and others (believers\non-believers alike). Driving on the road is often is the hardest thing I experience when I walk out the door. Some people can be very nasty behind the wheel and I can't help but feel the rage inside of me burning at the person who cuts me off or honks at me for no apparent reason. We often hardly know that person, which is why it seems almost normal to let out anger at a stranger.

But that's usually the time where I stop and think about what good my actions would do in the sight of God. Even though our loving one another may seem "crazy" by society's standards (such as helping out a complete stranger in need or blessing an enemy of ours), I can see that it is one of the duties as a Christian to be firm and to deviate our ways against society's.

[JediSonic]

I'd cautiously agree that living a perfect Christian life is impossible in today's society - but it really does depend what you deem the 'perfect Christian life' to be. I mean, it is technically possible for each and every one of us not to sin again until the day we die, but to be honest somehow I don't really expect it to happen.

Actually, you have a point there!

[CreatureArt]

Actually, you have a point there!

Hurrah! ^(^o^)^

More seriously, though, I've had such a hard time in my mind trying to pinpoint what it means to live the perfect life as Christians. God has such an amazing variety of callings in the individual lives of people. What I've come to personally is that to live the right life of a Christian is to follow Christ. ...I haven't really been able to define it more, but really, I'm not too bothered. This isn't an excuse for sin but I suppose I'm just saying it because of how amazed I am starting to become in the way God uses people and their lives.

Often the people who have the greatest impact on me aren't aware of the significance of what they've done, or even that they've helped me at all. Although I am often disappointed at some of the stuff I see in today's society and its problems the knowledge that there are people out there that God uses to touch and help others - often with the majority of poeple never being aware of it - gives me a lot of hope. Even in the midst of trials and dark times I believe God uses people in what we might think of as ordinary, mundane situations to touch and change other people's lives. We might not see it, but I believe it happens more often than we might be led to believe.

I also agree with a lot of what you're saying, Paradigm Shift. You've got me thinking about loving others 'crazily'. It can be so tough at times, especially when a person gets you peeved, but I think you're right when you say we need to be patient with ourselves and others, and to show love to others (even or perhaps especially people we don't know or particularly like).

[paradigm_shift]

I also agree with a lot of what you're saying, Paradigm Shift. You've got me thinking about loving others 'crazily'. It can be so tough at times, especially when a person gets you peeved, but I think you're right when you say we need to be patient with ourselves and others, and to show love to others (even or perhaps especially people we don't know or particularly like).

Yeah. I guess one of the toughest obstacles in facing your enemies is to eliminate pride. Usually this requires you to acknowledge that the person you are confronting is no better off than you (in terms of his\her sinful nature). Thus, loving someone else has to involve no strings attached, straight from the heart forgiveness of other people.

It's hard and I myself have had days where I generally don't make the right decisions. But what's been said up to this point (which was put brilliantly by Yahshua) is that we all have an inner battle. I can agree that in order to cope with society, you have to rise against your old nature.

[agasfas]

Regardless of time era, sin in society as always been around. I wouldn't say that society is more corrupt or more difficult to live in being a christian. The roman empire made it difficult for people to worship freely, both Greek and roman society were filled with sin and lust. Sexual temptation/immorality has always been around from the early years in history and present today.

Christian have always been persecuted- past and present.

I think it's probably about the same difficutlity living as a christian in both the past and present. Sin as a whole makes it difficult for christians.

But anything worth having is worth the fight and struggle; especially my faith and relationship in Christ.

[That Dude]

One thing that is interesting is that when there is more persicution there are always more converts. The Roman empire is a prime example. After a while they had to stop persicuting them so much because most every time a christian was killed in public people accepted Christ.

[Nate]

After a while they had to stop persicuting them so much because most every time a christian was killed in public people accepted Christ.

Yeah, but did they REALLY accept Christ? People will say a lot of things in order to not get killed.

[That Dude]

Actually yes. A lot of them really did except Christ. When they killed christians in the colisium (sorry about the spelling) I've heard that for every christian that died about five spectators for every one christian killed were so impressed by their joy and peace that they accepted Christ.

[Shepherdmoon]

Well i must say by looking at this thread is by christian it is to say conservative christians not liberals (like me),also if you go into the bible belt non-christians (especially Atheists) have a hard time fitting in so it should be said that is it harder to be a christian now i would say yeah if you are a religious righter.

[Slater]

Well, the reason why there are more "religious righters" in here is because the Bible teaches against a lot of the things that the left supports...

But seeing as how religious debates are not allowed in the public forum, I would suggest that this gravedug thread take a turn back towards the initial topic.

[GhostontheNet]

Well, the reason why there are more "religious righters" in here is because the Bible teaches against a lot of the things that the left supports...

But seeing as how religious debates are not allowed in the public forum, I would suggest that this gravedug thread take a turn back towards the initial topic.

And teaches some of what the left teaches too and censures teachings of the right harshly for those who still have ears to hear - the politics of the Bible cannot be pinioned into anybody's earthbound agenda, but is its own glorious agenda in itself, and hence a good reason for no political debating here.

[Puritan]

True. I think you make a good point GhostontheNet. Even apart from political agenda, the Bible has never and will never be acceptable to mainstream society. Whether that society is "right" or "left" there are things that will be condemned because every society has at its core falable human beings, and left to our own devices we create evil, plain and simple.

It is always hard for true Christians to live our lives in society because we are always under attack by Satan in one way or another. We are always striving to live as God directed us to live, and being who we are, that's always a struggle. Even societies (like the "Bible Belt") which seem Christian have problems, sometimes worse than nominally non-christian societies. I think it is fair to say that the Church should focus on the teachings of Christ and follow them exclusively, even when they interfere with a society that calls itself Christian.

[Shepherdmoon]

Well as we know a lot of this (the reason) is the falt of fundy atheists.