There is common saying in Christianity where we are exhorted to have “Faith like a child”.   This is held up as an ideal, stemming from Jesus’s admonition to the disciples in Luke 18:16 “Unless you have faith like one of these, you will never see the Kingdom.”    Today I was reflecting on how much faith children are taught these days, verse how much fear.  One of my personal mantras is that fear is the antithesis to faith.  So what are children learning, whether intentionally or unintentionally, from our culture?

I believe there is a strong theme in our culture to fear failure, and it inundates the church as well.  Think about the third grade student, a nine or ten year old, who knows that their grade on a standardized test make the difference whether their school stays open or their teacher keeps their job.  Think about all the advertising, marketing, and news that capitalizes on our fear disposition to sell us a product or a point of view.  Think about the teenager who is taught to “follow their passion” in their career and has no idea what that is, yet they believe that their career is supposed to be this magical place where their passions come to life while still being challenged in their intellect.  Career, like Hollywood sex, has become this idyllic emotional experience that is neither realistic nor attainable. They believe that if they don’t find it, they have not found the right job. And don’t get me started on fear of failure in relationships.

But what about the church?  What has the current practice of Christianity done to aid or alleviate this fear of failure?  Do we teach that it is okay to screw up and that grace and mercy is new every day, or do we teach that once something is posted on Facebook it can never be erased?  Do we preach a gospel of grace yet remember the flaws and failings and require a social penance be paid?  Do we allow for humanity or do we preach a Gospel that righteousness is the measure of godliness?  One of my other personal mantras is that if a Gospel is not good news, run.

So how can we change?  How can we offer a different theme than our culture, where freedom is real and where we can live unself-conscious and in innocent brokenness?  I think the answer becomes clearer when we consider what we value more: faith or righteousness.  As I see it, I can’t provide my own righteousness.  When I do it is just as dirty rags (Isaiah 64:6).  I have nothing to bring in this area; Christ has to do it all.  His throne is righteousness and justice, not mine (Psalm 89:14). 

According to scripture, I can rightfully claim the righteousness of Christ and will not be judged on my own righteousness (Praise God!).  I will be judged, however, on how I have stewarded my faith and acted out of faith (James).  I can’t affect my own righteousness, but I can influence whether I am walking and living in faith or not.  On balance then, I value faith more.  Faith after all, is the antithesis to fear.