Why Should I Follow Christ? I was at lunch yesterday with a group of fellow church members and a very interesting question came up - a question that each of us will address in our life - and a question that we are called upon to be able to answer if we are asked. That question was "If someone asked you why they should become a Christian - how would you answer them in a very concise manner? Well, there were various answers by those in the group, of which I participated in sharing, but as I left and continued to think about that important question - and even more importantly - how I would answer if I was asked by someone who might genuinely be seeking answers to this eternal question - I wanted to write/share my thoughts on how I would answer the question. Below are those short and simple thoughts - thoughts I trust you might consider as you work out your answers and ability to answer this life changing question. The Reason For Following Christ God created man in his own image - a living being with intellect, will and emotion - good and sinless. In this image, man's ability to truly enjoy a fulfilling existence was directly dependent on his right relationship with God. This right relationship to God was contingent on obedience - an obedience that was violated by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The consequence of this disobedience (sin) was death (Death defined as separation from the right relationship with God). This sin and resulting separation had and still has immediate effects on both man's earthy existence and his eternal existence. - Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
- Roman 5:12: - Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
Earthy Existence: Since man was created for a right relationship with God - when that right relationship is not there - a void exists in an individual's life. While we may seek to fill that void with many things - the reality is that we will never be able to fill that void and experience a truly complete life short of accepting God's provision for reestablishment of that right relationship. God provided a way for the reestablishment of that right relationship by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to accept the consequence of our sin through his death and resurrection. - John 10:10 - I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
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Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Eternal Existence: Since the consequences of man's disobedience (sin) was and is death, we will ultimately experience eternity separated from God unless we accept God's gift of eternal life. This gift from God, provided by Jesus Christ through his death on the cross, is available to each of us if we chose to believe (demonstrate trust and commitment) in Jesus Christ. - Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
The Way To Begin Following Christ
Through the loving and gracious provision of Jesus Christ, man has been afforded the opportunity to reestablish a right relationship with God. This right relationship - a relationship that leads to a fulfilling life both now (Earthly Effect) and for eternity (Eternal Effect) - is available to us if we believe in Jesus Christ. This belief can be characterized by: - Acknowledgement of Our Sinfulness
- Trusting Christ for Forgiveness of Our Sins
- Giving Christ Control Of Our Life
By exercising this belief -and specifically the components of the belief (Acknowledgement of Sin, Trust in Christ for Forgiveness, Giving Christ Control of Life) we can begin to truly experience life as God intended. - John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- John 5:24 - I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
- 1 John 5:13 - I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
I trust that if you have not considered or exercised this "belief" in your life - you would make the choice to "believe" now - as it has made all the difference in my life - and I am sure that God will honor your belief with a fulfilling life that will absolutely exceed your expectations - both for now and for eternity. This is my "simple and concise" answer - and if you have comments or another short/concise way of sharing your answer to the question of "Why should I become a Christian?" - please share them - so we can help each other be prepared to share with others the hope Christ provides as opportunities to share arise. 1 Peter 3:15 - But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
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