Christianity is a faith built upon profound truths, but it’s important to recognize that not all Christians have the same understanding of what it means to follow Christ. One of the most significant distinctions in Christian belief revolves around what Christians long for in their relationship with God, whether they are seeking healing or merely the regaining of a lost paradise.
This difference, though subtle, profoundly impacts the way Christians live, worship, and understand the work of Christ. In this blog, we will explore these two versions of Christianity, examine the differences, and discuss what Scripture reveals as the true purpose of the Christian life.
The Video and Its Reflection: A Call to Long for Healing
Recently, I watched a video about the Garden of Eden and the quest to reclaim the paradise that was lost. The video provided an interesting perspective on the location of the garden and the implications of its loss. While I found the video enlightening, especially in how it explored the biblical theme of paradise, there was one part of the commentary that stood out in a way that required deeper reflection.
At the end of the video, the speaker quoted Romans 5:19, which says,
“For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.”
He followed up with a comment that struck me:
“This is what we long for: we long to regain the paradise that was lost. It was lost through sin, so sin has to be dealt with if we are to regain it. And the only one who can deal with sin is God Himself.”
While this view is not entirely inaccurate, it reveals a key difference in understanding the purpose of salvation. The speaker, though acknowledging the need for sin to be dealt with, focuses on regaining paradise as the ultimate goal. For many, the idea of "paradise regained" is the central hope of Christianity, a literal return to the Garden of Eden and all the pleasures associated with that.
However, for a true Christian, the longing is not just for the restoration of a physical paradise, but for something much deeper: healing. We long for the healing of our hearts and minds, for the restoration of our relationship with God, and for the ability to live in perfect harmony with His will. This healing is far more than simply regaining a lost paradise; it is the transformation of the inner person so that we can truly love God with all our heart, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30).
Two Versions of Christianity: The Quest for Paradise vs. the Longing for Healing
The difference between these two versions of Christianity can be broken down into distinct elements. Let’s explore the key aspects of each approach:
1. The Quest for Paradise: A Shallow Desire for Reward
For many Christians, the focus is on the external benefits of salvation—paradise, eternal life, blessings, and the removal of suffering. This version of Christianity seeks to regain what was lost in Eden, primarily in a physical sense. It’s a faith that prioritizes earthly desires, such as comfort, happiness, and the restoration of an idealized paradise. The longing is for the benefits of salvation rather than a deeper relationship with God.
This view often leads to a self-centered approach to faith. If the primary goal is to regain paradise, then the focus may shift to how one can access these rewards—sometimes resulting in a transactional view of faith. For example, Christians in this camp may seek salvation for what they can gain from it, not necessarily to be reconciled to God or to live a life of obedience and love for Him.
2. The Longing for Healing: A Deep Desire for Transformation
The true Christian, however, longs for healing—the restoration of the heart and mind so that they can be in perfect harmony with God’s will. This is a faith that recognizes that sin is not just a breach of law, but a sickness that affects the very core of human nature. Healing, therefore, is not merely the removal of the consequences of sin (such as death or suffering), but a deep transformation of the soul. A Christian who longs for healing desires to be made whole, to be restored to the image of God as it was intended in the beginning .
Genesis 1:26-27 - 'And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. '
This version of Christianity is less concerned with external rewards and more focused on becoming the kind of person who can live with God in eternity. It’s a faith that understands that the heart of salvation is about becoming one with God, loving Him with all that we are, and reflecting His character in our daily lives.
3. Understanding Romans 5:19: The Power of Christ’s Righteousness
Romans 5:19 speaks of how, through one man’s disobedience, sin entered the world, and through one man’s obedience, righteousness is offered to all. This verse reveals the profound significance of Christ’s work, He not only dealt with the penalty of sin but provided the means for full restoration: righteousness. Through Christ, we do not just regain what was lost in Eden; we are made new.
The true Christian understands that Christ’s obedience enables us to inherit righteousness. This righteousness is the ultimate healing of the body and mind, restoring us to our original design—living in perfect unity with God. It is not about simply being returned to the paradise of Eden but about being made whole in Christ, restored to the image of God in which we were originally created.
This understanding is transformative. It shifts the focus from seeking paradise as a destination to seeking Christ as the source of true healing. We are not simply waiting for the paradise that was lost; we are experiencing the healing that comes from Christ’s righteousness here and now, which prepares us for eternity with Him.
The Sad Reality: The World Seeks Paradise, but Christians Should Seek Healing
The sad reality, as I’ve reflected on the video, is that many Christians today are merely seeking the paradise lost. They want the rewards of salvation—eternal life, bliss, and the end of suffering, but they do not truly desire the transformation of the heart and mind that comes through Christ. They are looking for the benefits, but not the relationship.
This version of Christianity leads to a shallow faith, one that is more about what can be gained than about being made whole in Christ. It’s a faith that may even be content with worldly blessings without seeking the deeper, eternal healing that Christ offers.
True Christians, however, long for something deeper. They long for the restoration of the soul, for healing, and for a relationship with God that allows them to love Him as He deserves. The bonus of this healing is indeed the paradise that was lost—but it is the restoration of a heart that is able to dwell with God in perfect peace and harmony.
Conclusion: The True Purpose of Christianity—Healing Through Christ
There are two versions of Christianity: one that seeks the paradise lost, and one that longs for the healing that only Christ can provide. The first is focused on external rewards and earthly desires, while the second is focused on internal transformation and a restored relationship with God.
Romans 5:19 reminds us that through Christ, we are not only offered the chance to regain paradise, but more importantly, we are offered the opportunity to inherit righteousness—true healing of the body and mind. The healing of our hearts and minds, the restoration of our relationship with God, and the ability to love Him with all that we are is the true purpose of Christianity.
Let us not be content with merely seeking paradise but strive for the healing that Christ offers—so that, in being made whole, we might enjoy the paradise of eternal life with Him.
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