Why Christianity is about more than just good morals

I used to think that Christianity was about doing the right thing, following the rules. But I’ve now learned that while good morals are important, the purpose of faith is so much deeper and more rewarding than simply following a to-do list.

Media Outlet: Vogue Spain June 2018

Model: Madison Headrick

Photographer: Bjorn Looss

Growing up I used to think that being a Christian was about following The Ten Commandments — Christianity’s most well known moral framework. The commandments seemed to provide a solid set of life guidelines and since there were only ten of them, it even felt quite do-able to at least try to live by them. It seemed to me that faith was about doing the right things and living in a way that positively impacted the world around me. 

In some ways, I was right. But as I’ve journeyed further down the road of faith I’ve learned that there is actually so much more to Christianity than simply following the rules. And as I’ve dug deep into the very heart of things — to my surprise — I didn’t discover a to-do list. What I found instead was an invitation to embark on and experience a relationship with God. An intriguing proposition and, if I’m honest, also a slightly daunting one.  

‘I’ve learned that there is actually so much more to Christianity than simply following the rules.’

What does it mean to have a relationship with God? 

In a culture that values facts and data, tangible things that we can see and lay our hands on, the concept of forming a relationship with a spiritual deity can sound a little strange. Even a little scary. It was when I read the historical account of how the Ten Commandments came to be (recorded in the bible) that I discovered that I wasn’t the first or only person to feel slightly overwhelmed by the invitation to relationship. 

The story of the Ten Commandments goes like this: A man named Moses, who at the time was the leader of the Israelite nation ascended a mountain to meet with God. While on the mountain God revealed to him a code of conduct designed to cause the people to flourish both individually and as a community. Moses then transcribed these practical instructions onto two stone tablets and brought them down the mountain. God’s desire in creating the policies wasn’t to restrict or restrain the people by giving them rules to follow. His real desire was to form a relationship with them — with all of them — and not just with their leader, Moses. 

The interesting thing about this story is that most of the Israelites were scared of God. When God came near the place where the people were living the bible says that “They trembled in fear… [and] they stayed at a distance”. Instead of accepting the invitation to meet with God, they decided to send Moses as an intermediary for them. Let someone else do the relationship part and we’ll follow from a safe distance. Give us some rules to follow, but let’s avoid the ambiguity that comes with a relationship. 

‘I can honestly say that this has been the single most important and fulfilling experience of my life.’

Relationships can feel pretty risky.

The Israelites' response made sense to me: while relationships are often the single most rewarding thing in our lives, they also require a great deal of courage. To venture wholeheartedly into new territory, slowly offering vulnerability in exchange for intimacy without knowing quite how it will work out can seem like a real risk.

Similar to the Israelites, I was talking about opening up my heart and life to a God who I didn’t yet know. I wondered whether I would be better off adopting the moral guidance that religion offered while keeping a comfortable distance from the potentially messy business of relationship with God? 

In the end, I decided to take the relationship road and surrendered myself to the adventure of discovering what it looks like to get to know and be known by God. Everyone’s story is different, but I can honestly say that this has been the single most important and fulfilling experience of my life. Far from discovering an angry or impersonal God, I’ve gotten to know one who truly is the embodiment of love. One who doesn’t just demand good works but who actually loves and empowers me to do them.

At the conclusion of Moses’ story we find out that after meeting with God, his face “shone with glory”. I find that such a stunning and encouraging picture — to realise that relationship with God actually changes us and is what causes us to shine in this world. The most exciting part of all is that there is an open invitation to each of us to begin to understand Christianity as more than just good morals, to step into a relationship and get to know a living God. 

If you think it sounds wild, you’re right. It definitely can be at times, but it is also truly the greatest adventure we’ll ever go on. 

WORDS BY 

Taryn Atkinson