Is Christianity a Crutch?

Many people say that Christianity is a crutch. They are 100% right; although it is more like a stretcher. The point being, you can't get to God on your own power. Some people will tell you that you can get to God by doing certain things, giving certain things, or even saying certain things. However, nothing we can ever do will make a difference. We are hopelessly lost in our sin; and even keep on sinning, even though we don't want to. Goodness knows I do. We need Jesus to carry us to God. He is the only one who has not sinned; he alone is able to pick us up and carry us to God. But like all good paramedics, if you refuse his services, He will let you die where you lay - not because He doesn't love you, but because He gave you the choice and He respects your decision.

Why did he give us this choice? What makes a friend truly a friend? When they have the option of bailing and they stick with you instead. On a deeper note, What makes a marriage so precious? Isn't it the fact that they both had the option to marry the other or not? Would you really want to marry someone who had no ability to refuse you? So too God wants us to experience that love with Him. The only way that is possible is if we have the choice to reject Him. I pray that will not be the case with you.

What is keeping you from turning to God? I'll tell you the truth, all it is is another crutch, but unlike Jesus, it won't get you anywhere - no, scratch that, it will take you farther from Him. Are you leaning on your own power and abilities? Knowledge and worldly wisdom? God says in 1 Corinthians 1:25, "'For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.'" Your own powers of strength and reason are finite and fuddled. They will not last. This is why, I assume, you see so many death bed conversions. It is at this heartbreaking point in people's lives that they finally realize that they are but a mist that will soon fade away. And God will gladly and lovingly accept them.

Another reason that people don't turn to God is out of fear. They fear giving up their lives, desires, and all they have worked for thus far in their life for something completely unknown. This has been my own struggle. I very much fear giving up my self, my understanding of happiness, comfort and easiness. I often fall into the sin of doubting God to give me the future He promises me ("'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11) In fact, these last couple of months of my life have been very stressful because of this; the most stressful I've ever known. It is a daily - no, minute-ly fight to beat into my head the understanding and acceptance that God is in control, and to cast my cares upon him. On my own I can not do this. I ask God to give me the strength - to pick me up and carry me so to speak- and he does. I am living testimony of this. I am here still, and sane, and living for God because He gave me the strength.

I still have to fight - which is what it means to daily pick up my cross and follow him - and my way of continually choosing God. I still struggle with these things, but God has promised me that if I don't give up on Him, he will not give up on me. I trust God; and he will do wonderful things in and through my life serving Him. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires." 2 Peter 1:3-4