Christianity: (Probably) Not What You Think It Is

What if you've only seen part of the picture?

Have you ever felt like Christianity is difficult?

Hard to obey. Hard to share. Hard to stick with when life gets tough?

You wouldn’t be the only one.

But the truth is, when most people think of Christianity, they often have the wrong picture in mind.

Okay — “wrong” might be a little harsh.

But at best, it’s incomplete.

Tell me if you can relate.

The Christianity I grew up with went something like this:

• Believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins so you can go to heaven when you die.

• And God “wants your heart” —which usually meant allegiance, obedience, or at best, some kind of personal relationship with Him.

And you’d think that if that were the case, God would help you through life — smoothing out the bumps and dips, providing protection and provision along the way.

Right?

So what happens when life goes sideways?

When things don’t go as planned.

When you lose someone you love.

When dreams fall apart.

When trust is broken.

When your body, your family, your future, or your finances don’t turn out the way you hoped.

When what we expect from Christianity doesn’t match real life,

it’s easy to drift away —

or even feel angry at God and the people who claim to represent Him.

But the version of Christianity many of us know today

isn’t the invitation Jesus actually offered.

And that’s the problem.

We must return to the true, full gospel, the good news that Jesus offered that was so compelling it started a movement —

one that, despite its flaws, is still alive today.

Because life with Jesus is the greatest opportunity you’ll ever have.

So what is the invitation?

You can explore it more deeply in the Training for Reigning program — but you don’t have to wait to understand the heart of it.

Jesus offers an invitation you can begin to live into right now.

In John 3:16, Jesus tells us what He — and God — are up to:

God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

The idea that this verse has to do with life after death -

rather than the life you’re actually living right now -

is a serious misunderstanding.

Paraphrased, the verse might read like this:

God’s care for humanity was so great that he sent his unique Son among us, so that those who count on him might not live a futile and failing existence but would have the undying life of God himself. *

We are talking about a quality of life you can step into right now.

So what does that actually look like?

In John 10:10, Jesus explained His purpose after a reminder about what the enemy is up to as well.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life — and have it to the full. John 10:10

What Jesus Is Saying Is Simple

• There is an enemy, actively working against your life.

• But that’s not what God wants for you.

• Jesus came to offer real life — full, rich, and overflowing.

Every translation of that Bible verse describes the enemy’s purpose the same way:

loss, death, and destruction.

If your life is bearing that kind of fruit,

it isn’t coming from God.

But Jesus' invitation is for another kind of life.

You're invited into a rich, satisfying, abundant life.

That said, it’s crucial to understand this is not a prosperity gospel.

Jesus was honest about that too:

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

So What Is This Kind of Life?

The offer of a rich, satisfying, abundant life-to-the-full has everything to do with the condition of your person

…your inner being, your soul…

It includes your heart, mind, thoughts, and emotions...

It's all of you.

Love. Joy. Peace. Hope.

Along with the conditions that flow from them: patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22–23)

They're all markers of this kind of life.

And here’s the key:

This kind of life does not depend on your circumstances.

One of the Apostle Paul’s most quoted lines is Philippians 4:13:

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

But this verse is often taken out of context.

It doesn’t mean you could suddenly do anything —

like fly to the moon — just by tapping into Jesus’ strength.

Just a few verses earlier, Paul gives context for what he really means:

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances." Philippians 4:11

In other words, Paul had learned how to live with peace in every situation — and he credits Jesus as the one who made that possible.

Paul wasn’t writing this from a comfortable life.

He had endured:

• imprisonment

• beatings

• shipwrecks

• hunger

• rejection

(If you want the full list, see 2 Corinthians 11.)

Paul’s life was anything but easy.

And yet, he speaks about strength — not to escape life,

but to remain grounded, content, and faithful within it.

Philippians 4:13 isn’t about doing anything you want.

It’s about being able to live well — no matter what life brings.

That's the vision.

That's the kind of life Jesus came to give us.

So… what have we been missing?

Why do so many people walk away from the church, reject God altogether— or claim Christianity while living no differently than everyone else?

Living the good life Jesus offers starts with understanding a few important truths:

who you are, why you’re here, and why pain and suffering exist.

If you’re curious and want to go deeper…

Start here:

👉 Why Am I Even Here?

Then don’t miss:

• What’s the Point of Christianity?

• Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?

These questions shape how we understand God, life, and ourselves.

They’re key to discovering the good life that’s actually available to you right now—

the kind of life Paul talked about: being content no matter the circumstances.

Read them in order—or start with the one you’re most curious about.;

Get ready to step into a whole new -fantastic - way of living. You won't look at things the same, ever again.