In 2017, I took the biggest risk of my adult life: I embraced Christianity and committed to taking my faith seriously. This decision was monumental for me because I had spent nearly two decades criticizing Christianity and debating with those who held faith in the Bible. To now adopt the Christian faith for myself felt like a significant risk, and I was very fearful of the implications that came with it.
Over the years, I have noticed something that fueled my contempt for Christians in general: many self-proclaimed Christians do not demonstrate their faith in public. I understood the logical fallacy in my disdain, but I realized that if I chose not to embrace Christianity and its values, I would need to make significant changes in my life. And so, I did.
I gave up many of my openly sinful behaviors, called old friends and family to apologize for not being a good person, and started attending a local seminary to better understand my new faith. I feel as though I killed the old version of myself and was born again as a new disciple of Christ.
This experience completely upended my life and placed me on a much more challenging path. One common argument I’ve heard from skeptics is that people turn to religion to feel better or to find happiness. However, this has not been the case for me, and I’ve learned that it isn’t true for genuine Christians either. We can see this reflected in the scriptures: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few” (Matthew 7:13-14).
Taking your faith seriously means living out your beliefs publicly, without fear or embarrassment. This is rarely easy, especially in today’s largely secular world. While I don’t regret my commitment, I admit that it hasn’t always been enjoyable or simple. It was a significant step and a bold move for someone like me, a wretched sinner. However, my faith lies in the hope of what is to come: “For we were saved in this hope; but hope that is seen is not hope. For why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8:24-25). True Christianity involves persevering without regret and actively living out our faith, no matter the circumstances.
R-Rated Religion 