Christianity is confusing

Christianity is confusing.  If you haven't bought into Christianity, you might say this is obvious to you—so many things about it seem to defy human reasoning. But let’s put aside all of the secondary things that trouble you and get to the heart of the matter.

Christian judgment seems backwards
We live in a world in which you are judged and accepted based on performance. Are you beautiful? Kind? Are you talented? Hard-working? Honest? Smart? Creative? Rich? Loving? Someone known for saying and doing the right thing? In our society, it doesn’t matter which route you take to justify your existence. Just do what makes you feel good and everyone should accept you if you’ve done the best you can with what you have, right? But here is what Christianity says:

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8

Christ died... for the ungodly...??? Not the talented, nor the beautiful, not the smart, hard-working, rich, or creative, but the ungodly?  Let me get this straight. Christianity says that God, an omniscient, infinitely powerful and righteous being of infinite worth, came into our little world, lived a perfect life, and then voluntarily gave up his life… not for the winners, but for the losers? The failures? The bad guys? I could go on, but I think the point is clear—why would anyone sign up for that?

As my old high school history teacher, Jim Owen put it, “They take everybody.”

How would judgment look in your case?
Now, you might be thinking to yourself: “I get it. Some people need this sort of thing. But not me—I'm doing just fine.” But let me ask you to do a thought experiment (props to Francis Schaeffer for this illustration):

Consider all of the things you say everyone should do and all of the things you say no one should do. Let’s not talk about the standards of the bible or any major world religion. Just think about the things you believe. Now, let’s say there is an invisible recorder around your neck.  It only records what you say about how people ought to live, as well as what you actually think, say, and do, both in public and private, and during your entire life.

Fast forward to “judgment day.” Let’s say there is a God, and your "case number" is called.  God says, "I will judge you only on the basis of your own words.”  Then God removes that recorder from your neck and hits the play button. How would you do?

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Rom. 2:1-3

My Case
I don’t know about you, but I’ll take the route that tells me the truth about myself and yet, gives me hope outside of myself.  I'll take the route that prevents me from feeling better than anyone else when I know I'm no better.  I'll put God's grace up against anything else—career, money, power, moralism, intelligence, romance—just give me grace.

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” - Acts 17:30-31 

Still confused?  Here's a suggestion.  Go to a church where the gospel is preached.  Find a church where the people don't just say, "God hates sin," but go to a place where people can say, "...while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Talk to those people.  Not sure where to look?  Here's my shameless plug: if you're near Columbus on Easter, come and check out our church: