Why Are You A Christian?

Fellow Redeemed,
I have spent some time considering this question. As I watch the
worship habits of so many people and families, I wonder why some
people seem to take their faith relationship to Jesus so nonchalantly?
After all there was a time in my life where my faith,worship
attendance, Bible study habits were very unimportant matters in my
life. What made the difference? What did the Spirit of God use to
change my thinking about matters of faith in Jesus? Also people talk
about spirituality and religion, especially with celebrities in the
news, such as the death of John Travolta's son and Oprah's guidance
with her loyal "fans". For the Christian it is CHRIST first. I talk
about faith in Jesus, for true, genuine faith is faith in what Jesus
did for us as the Son of God. It isn't some vague faith in a "religion" or
religious ritual, but who and what Jesus did for us as our substitute
is the root from which all other matters of relationship with our
Savior flow.
But what was it that helped me turn the corner? I think it was
regular people taking God seriously. For them it was taking the
Gospel to their neighbors. It meant learning what the Gospel really
is and how to share it with others in terms those others could relate to could relate to. It was "satisfied customers" telling me about their Savior from their heart, but the "paid salesman" using the glitz and glamor of professionally created arguments (even thought they were true and factual) to sway to "make the purchase", but then leave me in the lurch with no "customer service" after the sale. They were strangers in both senses of the word; First, they came to
someone they had never met before to share the Gospel and second, they
were "strange" in the sense of out of the ordinary as far as
Christians sharing their faith. They used the power of God's Word to move me along a path of maturity that God is still moving me along. During this time I also hear Rev. Richard Wurmbrandt speak and had read his book "Tortured for Christ". I can't begin to understand what drives a man to endure so much to defend something they are not totally committed to. Yes, as easy as I have it, going to church once a week, spending one or two hours with Jesus in His Word is really nothing compared to what some have endured. I pray that in the New Year, in the midst of the "economic downturn", or is it really a moral downturn, applying ourselves to
wisdom only makes good "believers" sense.
Remember God has shown you His love. Are we showing Him ours in return?
--
Blessings & Peace
Pastor John
Hebrews 13:20-21