Misunderstood
It is always frustrating to get feedback and see that someone has taken something out of context or just totally missed what you were trying to get across. Most of the time that is my fault (the writer) as I did not make myself clear. But sometimes as I look back at what I said, I think, “How did they get that” from what I had said. It is not an uncommon occurrence among humans. The old saying there are three interpretations of any conversation. What I said, What you heard me say and What I thought I said reflects reality…
There is a lot of misinterpretation of what people thought and said. We have had a few wars based on misinterpretations One of Satan’s tactics is to get people to misunderstand what Jesus came to teach and do. It sets it off on a tangent and misses the main thrust. Some of the common misunderstandings of Christianity. are still around
You have misinterpreted Christianity if you believe Christianity is about being good. Yes, there is a moral side to Christianity. But Christianity is far more than that. It is not a list of “don’t do this or this”. Jesus was not Crucified and resurrected to make you a pretty good person who did not do any “really bad” things. Following Jesus is about far more than keeping the Ten Commandments and religious rules. If you take this approach you will fail and be filled with guilt.
You have misinterpreted Christianity if you believe it is about doing more. Some people take the first approach of being good. They fail. They are guilt-ridden so they think, “I will do more”. More church work. More helping others. More whatever to pay back for the wrong I have done. Sometimes they wear themselves out “doing more”. If they receive praise for all they do, they sometimes become addicted to the praise and “do more” so they will get more attention for doing more. It becomes a real rat race.
You have misinterpreted Christianity if you believe it is about the church. Who is the good Christian? In many people’s minds it is the one who does the most around church. We even developed a hierarchy about it. On top were the Missionaries. They sacrificed the most. Next were the Pastors. They had a higher calling. They preached the Gospel. Next were the Deacons or Elders. Often their job was to make sure the pastors stayed in line and did not get too much power. On the bottom, were the “lay people”. They are expected to attend, give and fill all the positions in the church making sure that it runs smoothly.
It is about all of the above BUT it is really all about Jesus. Sadly many people lose sight of that and he gets lost in all the busyness.
If you have done all of the above but find that there is a certain level of dissatisfaction in your life you may have misinterpreted what it is really all about. Fill your life with Jesus rather than being good, doing more or centering your life on the Church.