Is Christianity counterintuitive? By that I'm asking if it goes against cultural norms and human intuition.
By no shadow of a doubt it is.
But that's who Christ was, as proved by the counterintutivity of His parables and ministry, then ultimately His death and resurrection. That's who the One seated at the right hand of God the Father still is. He called real Christians to be like this. Romans 12:2 says "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.". As a Christian, you and I must understand that our very way of living sounds like alien talk to the world around us. But this alien way of living is what leads us to know God and to proclaim Him among the hardened hearts around us.
First, there's relationships. Galatians 5:13-14 says: "For you were called to be free, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself." In Christianity, narcissism is a big no-no. We're not supposed to focus on ourselves; on keeping up with the Jones'. We're supposed to focus on God, our spiritual health, and on serving others. That could mean a range of things for any person, like no self-help books, or buying ridiculously overpriced clothes just to show off. What it doesn't mean is you ignore your health or well-being. "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less." I would rephrase that proverb to something like this: "Humility is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking more of others than yourself."
In the saturated, "me" centered western culture, that is counterintuitive. In fact, acting so would lead many to think you're devaluing yourself.
Second, there's the way we think. A real Christian always has their mind fixed on eternity, and their heart always worshiping. We're even stranger than the hippies that campaigned in the 1960-1970s! Why? Because we find our peace and love through Jesus because of what He did first. Hippies are virtually nonexistent today, but Christians are still here. To nonbelievers, the fact that we constantly fix our eyes on Jesus as the Source and Essence of life, love, peace, joy, and so much else sounds crazy! To us it's natural because our hearts are receptive and our eyes have been opened to the greatness and majesty of God around us.
Third is the way we live. Take your pick: modesty, forgiveness, family values, word choice, sex, health...the Christian always has counterintuitive beliefs on each. Being modest, for example, is seen as a woman or man not valuing their body or being ashamed of it. Feminism says it's degrading to women so "just flaunt your stuff girls! Let the racy lioness in you awaken!" In Christianity, being modest is seen as a person valuing not only their body, but others and their spirituality. Modesty among social circles leads to respect. Out of all the teenage women I've met, it is those who dress comfortably and with modesty that emit the most confidence, not those who "flaunt...everything." Modesty is counterintiutive to the world, but to the heavenly courts, it is to be praised.
It's appalling to forgive a drunk driver who killed your son or daughter. The world might say it's sweet, but inside they'll still think it's the wrong choice. Forgiving your cheating spouse and choosing to work the marriage out is "cruelty towards yourself." Justices cry "justice!" Family and friends cry "divorce!" They say get out because you deserve better. Jesus cries "I've forgiven your worst; now pick up your cross: the pain of your child's death or the crushing hurt of a cheating spouse, for you didn't deserve them just as I did not deserve the cross, and forgive other peoples' worst because I did it first for you and them. Follow Me."(Colossians3:13; Luke 9:23, John 3:16). Forgiveness is one of the most counterintuitive aspects that comes with being born again through Christ. It's just too natural to us to get back at the wrongs we've suffered.
The world doesn't really have a definition for family. Anything goes. But Jesus called out one human man and one human woman, so they may grow better together and raise strong human children (not animals) with Him as their Cornerstone.
Culture says cursing, crude jokes, and offensive remarks sell. For example, T-Mobile started a challenge to other cell-phone carrier customers to ditch their companies and have a "one-night stand" with them.... Well, Christianity says "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians4:29). Side note; Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak [or spoke]." Truth is, the tongue was made to praise God and love on others, not degrade or offend others whether people are joking or not. That doesn't make sense to the hyper active, self-drenched culture around us. Even more so to desperate T-Mobile marketers.
Sex is thrown around western culture like nothing else. It's been reduced to almost nothing but acting off hormones and attraction, especially in media. In T-Mobile's case and the ever exalted Victoria's Secret, among many other companies, it's also used for marketing. In Christianity, sex is not dirty. Today's Christians, for the most part, elevate it to it's rightful place. Christianity values sex so much as an intimate, even spiritual, connection between a husband and wife after their commitment to each other (wedding) has passed that we save it. In Christianity, sex isn't just "sex." It's hesed: "to know completely, to be known completely, and to be loved and respected completely." That's why culture's jaws drop and its cheeks get red when you criticize the sexual unions of boyfriends or girlfriends in movies (as if there's no other way to be intimate than through sex *rolls eyes*). To God and real Christians, it's more than just a casual hookup or a steamy night with a temporary partner, yes, even more than marketing! It's the strongest, most intense union one could ever have with another person. Watering it to anything else is treason against God; maybe even more.
Western culture says take care of your body because it's the only one you will ever have. That, and a healthy life is the best life. Christianity agrees, but not because of selfish reasons like living longer, because in Christianity "to die is gain," but because the Christian's body is the Holy Spirit's temple. We want to live to the fullest so that we may thrive in God's provisions and our purposes.
Understand, my dear brothers and sisters, that Christianity is counterintuitive. Out of all the religions across the world, Christianity is the last one humans would have ever wanted to make up. It's hard to "convert people to;" it's hard "to follow;" it's hard "to practice perfectly." Not to mention that God, the God who created all that is, all that ever will be, and controls and sustains all, came down to die for a creation so far off that we didn't even give Him a second thought! Before Jesus changed the world, the thought was inconceivable by all tribes and tongues. It's scandalous!
The rewards of following Jesus Christ, or walking in accordance with the God-Man who flipped history upside down, is more than enough. And on the days we fall off track, there is more than enough grace and mercy from Heaven to help us get back on track. It is grace that saves us, but works that proves we have been saved and ultimately leads to a fulfilled spiritual life serving Christ.
We will and do sound like fools, even to the lukewarm Christians. But that is a badge of honor. You know you're living right if the world doesn't understand how or why you live how you live. Live it anyways.
You were called up.
And you were called out for more than what culture says.
You were made for Him.
How's that for you in perspective? :)
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