I recently doom-scrolled across a Jordan Peterson video, which asked a question that hit me like a brick to the forehead: What would it look like if Christians lived as if the Bible were actually true? My first reaction was, “Oof – guess I’d have to stop treating the Bible like a decorative prop on my nightstand.”
If I really believed this stuff, my life would look nothing like it does on most Mondays. I wouldn’t stress-binge the news like God’s sovereignty has an expiration date. I wouldn’t white-knuckle my bank account like Jesus never said anything about sparrows or lilies. And maybe – just maybe – I’d forgive people instead of carrying grudges around like loyalty cards I keep getting stamped.
In candor, I’m sure it’s not just me. Most of us Christians live like part-time believers with full-time excuses. We highlight verses like they’re inspirational quotes, but then ignore them the minute they cramp our style. We pray for revival but secretly hope God doesn’t make us the before-and-after example. We want transformation without the inconvenience – like spiritual liposuction.
Here’s the brutal truth: if we really lived like the Bible were true, fear wouldn’t run our calendars. We’d actually risk loving people, even the difficult ones (yes, including that coworker). Generosity would be normal, not a heroic Christmas special. Forgiveness would flow faster than gossip. Imagine communities built like that – standing out in a culture fueled by outrage, greed, and loneliness. People wouldn’t just notice; they’d be forced to ask what on earth we’re running on.
And honestly? That terrifies me. Because if I ever stopped hedging my bets and started living like the resurrection wasn’t just a nice Easter story, I’d have no excuse left. Neither would you. The wiggle room evaporates: either the Bible is true, or it isn’t. If it is, then my halfhearted “faith lite” routine doesn’t just waste time – it convinces no one.
So tomorrow morning, here’s the test for both of us: will we wake up and face the day like Jesus actually meant the things He said? Will we love our neighbors without caveats? Trust God with our finances without panic attacks? Forgive people without three months of cold-shoulder probation?
Because if we ever did – even imperfectly, even awkwardly – the world wouldn’t stay the same. We wouldn’t stay the same. And maybe, just maybe, people would stop rolling their eyes when they hear the word Christian.
