Web Surfing

I was Web Surfing and I found this:I did not write it.

http://www.guitarjams.net/whyamiachristian.html


Okay, now, in brief… here are the TOP SIX reasons I'm a Christian!


REASON SIX: LOGIC...
If you believe what the Bible says about God, i.e. that HE is perfect in EVERY WAY (morally, ethically, spiritually, relationally, etc.)… then you have to begin to see how that's a bad thing for us… BECAUSE WE AREN'T THAT! Here's the deal... have you ever had ONE sinful thought, said ONE sinful thing, stubbed you toe and said "*)&%&*!!!" ? Well, then you're done dude! You are toast! You are doomed to be cut off from God's perfectly holy presence for eternity! THAT'S THE BAD NEWS. THE GOOD NEWS is this... God is not only perfectly holy, he's perfectly loving! And His love for us motivated Him to created a WAY FOR US TO BE FORGIVEN for our sin… so that we wouldn't have to be cut off from Him. That's what Jesus' death on the cross is all about. Jesus took your place… He took your sin (and mine) upon himself and paid the price God demanded for sin. So, that when we receive him as Savior and Lord (be sure to read the article WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN?) God applies Jesus' sacrifice to US and--whalla! Our sins are PAID FOR! And we are WELCOME in God's presence!

The Bottom Line on the LOGIC thing is this: When it's all said and done there will only be two groups of people who will stand before God's judgment seat: 1) Those who will be judged based on their "performance" (and if they were PERFECT they'll be allowed to enter Heaven! …but that leaves me out… bummer!), and 2) Those who will be judged on the basis of Jesus' sacrifice (i.e. those who acknowledged their sin and need for forgiveness and trusted Jesus as Savior)… And they will enter Heaven NOT ON THEIR OWN MERIT, but on the merit of JESUS! Now that does include me! And I hope it includes you too!

REASON FIVE: EXPERIENCE...
In my heart I've just always known that there has to be a God. Before I was a Christian I just read, heard, thought, felt, saw… experienced all kinds of things that pointed to the fact that this universe didn't just APPEAR out of thin air… there's too much order, structure, logic and creativity woven into every part of the cosmos for it to have just BIG BANGED into existence! And since I've become a Christian God's Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart REGULARLY… encouraging me, convicting me of sin… moving me to seek forgiveness… to serve others… to love people more… to stand up in firm confidence for God… etc. I.e. I've experienced the presence of God! And it's awesome!

REASON FOUR: FORGIVENESS...
I've sort of already covered this one… but I had to say it again! I just love the whole idea of the Gospel (the good news about Jesus' death on the cross for our sins!). I know that I know that I know… that I am FORGIVEN, accepted, loved and welcomed by God because of what Jesus, my Savior and Lord has done for me… that gives me so much strength in life… WOW… it's just plain awesome!

REASON THREE: FELLOWSHIP...
God is a relational God… i.e. He wants friends, people to talk to, be with, share with… that's God's nature! The Bible says that God created us IN HIS IMAGE (Gen. 1:26-28). Now there's lots that could be said about "being created in God's image…" but certainly part of what it means to be made in Gods' image is that we are RELATIONAL BEINGS. We long for friendship, other people that we can know, talk to, listen to, share with, etc. People go to bars all the time and drink to MEET PEOPLE! Singles pay tons of money to all kinds of organizations to MEET PEOPLE… we long for genuine, heart to heart companionship. The Bible speaks of something called koinonia (a Greek word that's usually translated "fellowship" in English). Koinonia is much more than just hanging out and talking! It's a kindred spirit of love for one another that is produced by the Holy Spirit among Christians. I.e. when Christians are willing to open up and really share their hearts with one another-something awesome happens! They bless one another, encourage one another, strengthen one another's faith, help each other heal emotional wounds or insecurities, strengthen resolve, self-image and passion for God, etc. This is one of the ministries of the Holy Spirit who lives in the hearts of each person that trust's Jesus as Savior and Lord! It's an awesome thing!

REASON TWO: JOY...
Joy is NOT happiness. Happiness is based on circumstances. If things go well, or if I get what I want (i.e. if circumstances are favorable) then I'm HAPPY! But if things go bad… then I'm NOT happy. The Joy of the Lord is NOT based on circumstances. It is based on our understanding that God is good… that He is with us always (through the good, the bad, the ups and the downs of life), they He has a good plan for our life and our eternity… that He has forgiven us and accepts us as His children because of Jesus. When you walk around with that awareness in your heart-it produces an inner strength within you that allows you to have JOY no matter what the circumstances are! That why you read about martyrs who JOYFULLY endured persecution for God! The Bible says that the "joy of the Lord is our strength" (Neh. 8:10)! And in Hebrews 12:2 it says that Jesus endured the cross because of the "joy set before Him", i.e. he went to the cross with his eyes fixed on the Joy that would be His AFTERWARD! As Christians we can endure any struggles by fixing out eyes on Christ and on the JOY that will be ours eternally AFTER this life… or after whatever struggle we are facing is over! JOY… awesome!

REASON ONE: PURPOSE AND MEANING IN LIFE...
This is so huge! What motivates you to get out of bed every morning? Do you know what you are on planet earth? What's your purpose in life! Those are HUGE questions! And as a Christian-God answers EVERYONE OF THEM AND MORE! I know that I was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-28). I know that God has good plans for my life (Jer. 29:11). I know that God has good works for ME to perform (Eph. 2:10). I know that God will reward my efforts for Him (Heb. 6:10 and 11:6), I know that God has gifted ME for ministry (1 Pet. 4:10)… and on and on! Dude, I JUMP out of bed each day eager to see what God has in store for me that day!

Bottom Line: I love being a follower of Jesus for TONS of reasons! And I hope you do too!