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As a teenager, I often heard about God. I went to a Christian high school that taught the word of God. During that time, I thought about giving my life to God, but for some reason, I could not take that step. 

The truth is, I had several preconceived ideas about what Christianity looked like. Looking back, I have come to realize that not only was I dead wrong. I was completely deceived. I did not have the facts about Christianity. 

Today I want to share the myths about Christianity I held on to as a teenager and the facts about Christianity I know to be true now. 

Myth #1: Christianity is Boring and For Old People

I was young, and life was fun. I felt like I had my entire life ahead of me. All I wanted to do was live and enjoy it. 

I thought Christianity would get in the way of this life full of adventure. 

On several occasions, I told myself that I would give God a chance when I was older, already married, had kids, and ready to settle down. In other words, I would try Christianity when I was old.

Facts About Christianity: A life with Christ is the most exciting experience of life. 

God has blessed me with a community of godly friendships, and my idea of fun has changed. 

Fun is hanging out and fellowshipping with those that I love. Walking with Christ has no way interfered with me having a good time. 

Not only that, but life with Christ is also fulfilling. Never in my life have I felt safer, more secure, and loved by anyone or anything.

As a matter of fact, I now wish I had given my life to Christ all those years ago. Without a doubt, I would have made better decisions because the all-knowing God would have guided me to make the best choices.

Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

 Ecclesiastes 12: 1 (NLT) 

Myth #2: Christianity is a Bunch of Rules and Restrictions

Don’t lie. Don’t steal. No sex before marriage. Rules! Rules! Rules! Christianity felt like a whole lot of do’s and don’ts. At that point in my life, I was not too fond of the idea of following any rules, much less God’s rule.

I did not see the value or reason for rules other than it meant that I could not do what I wanted. What I wanted was enticing. While deep down and inwardly, I knew it was wrong, it felt good to be unrestricted…at least I thought.

Facts About Christianity: Christianity is much more about relationship than rules and rituals. 

I’m not saying that there are not guidelines, but love and relationship with God helps me to understand two things.

First off, God is madly in love with me in a way that I cannot even comprehend. Because of this, everything that He tells me not to do is actually for my benefit.

I’ve come to realize that God is not trying to take anything from me, but He is trying to give me His best. 

With God, I get to live my best life and eternity. 

At times that may require not doing what I think is best for myself. God sees the overall picture and simply knows better. 

Secondly, I love God as best as I humanly know-how. I always want to love and please God. Therefore I don’t view His guidelines as rules. 

It’s sort of like being married. I don’t look at being faithful to my husband as a rule. I love him. Therefore faithfulness comes naturally. It’s the same with God.

… “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’…

-Luke 10:27 (NIV)

 If you love me, obey my commandments.

John 14:15

Myth #3: Christians Are All Perfect

I thought being a Christian meant that I would have to be perfect. Therefore there was no way I could be a Christian. 

I figured that I would have to get my life together first. Stop having sex, stop drinking, stop cursing, I mean just stop sinning entirely and then come to God. 

Because of this, I felt unqualified to be a Christian because this benchmark was just too high. I figured eventually when I got there; then I can officially give my life to the Lord.

Facts about Christianity: I do not have to be perfect. 

I am so grateful I didn’t wait until I cleaned myself up because I would never have been able to do it. Every time I did something wrong, I thought, “this is the last time.” 

The last time did not come until after I surrendered my life to God. 

If humanity could overcome sin on their own, then God would have had no need to send Jesus to die for us. 

God knew that we needed help and a Saviour. This is why without Jesus, the last time could never be the last time.

As a teenager, one day, I actually asked my Bible teacher, does being a Christian mean that I have to be perfect?  His response has stuck with me to this very day.

He said, “Being a Christian does not mean that you are sinless, but you sin less”. That answer was the perfect way to describe Christianity. 

God is not asking for perfection. He is simply asking you to submit and come to Him just the way you are. He will do the rest.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

That’s the end of our trip down memory lane. If you have had some thoughts about Christianity only later to find out you had it all wrong, drop some comments below. I love you guys!

As always,

Be strong, Be Courageous, Serve God Wholeheartedly.

Gilberta Thompson