Posing this question makes for such a broad topic that many articles could be written in answer to it. There are so many good reasons that can be given for being a Christian that a faithful Christian wonders why one would elect to live outside God's family. Many surely do not understand the benefits, or perhaps do not understand the consequences of not being a Christian. Perhaps the reasons we give here will serve to both refresh the mind of the Christian and encourage any non-Christian reader to desire this noble estate.
GOD LOVES YOU. It is because of His power to create life that we came into this world. Thus we owe our very existence to Him, and His providence affords every blessing we enjoy. Jesus said of the Father, "He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Mat. 5:45). To the idolatrous Lystrians Paul proclaimed, "the living God, who... did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:15-17). The words of Psalm 23 have comforted many a heart, declaring "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over" (vs. 5).
God's love has also provided for our spiritual needs. (John 3:16; 1 John 3:1). It is His love that makes spiritual sonship possible. All can be children of God. The invitation is broad and all encompassing (Mat. 11:28-30). The very poorest and vilest may be His heirs in Christ (Rom. 8:16-17; Eph. 1:11-14). It is in Christ, accessed by baptism (Gal. 3:26-27) that one who has been separated from God by sin is reconciled to God (Col. 1:20-21; 2 Cor. 5:17-18). His goodness and love should move one into heartfelt obedience (Rom. 2:4; 6:17; 2 Cor. 5:14-15; 1 John 4:19).
CHRIST DIED FOR YOU. Of all that God has done for man, none surpasses the gift of His Son (Rom. 5:8). "Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift!" (2 Cor. 9:15). Jesus, Immanuel (Matt. 1:21, 23), though He was rich, became poor to provide our riches (2 Cor. 8:9). He emptied Himself of the "form of God" "by taking the form of a servant" and thus humbling Himself "became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross" (Phil. 2:6-8). Through His death, the demands of justice were met with mercy (2 Pet. 3:9; cf. Rom. 3:21-26). He who came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10) lived sinlessly, going about doing good; and He preached peace to those afar off and to those who were near (1 Pet. 2:22-23; Acts 10:38; Eph. 2:17-18).
HEAVEN IS WAITING FOR YOU. There is a place prepared for those who will prepare for its habitation (Mat. 25:34; John 14:1-2; Rev. 21:1-22:5). Be impressed with this fact, only the faithful will be saved, not "everyone who says 'Lord, Lord'... but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21ff). God set before the Jew life and death (Deut. 30:15), and the choice was theirs. He has set before us two ways, one leading to life, the other to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). The choice is ours to make. Know this also, dear reader, that the Lord is "not desiring that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9).
LIFE MORE ABUNDANT IS A PROMISE. In John 10:10, Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Jesus likely refers to the eternal joy, peace, and the society of the blessed in the world of glory; and that is certainly a compelling reason for one to be a Christian and live for the will of God (1 Pet. 4:2). But here is a truth that is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that godliness is profitable for both this life and that which is to come (1 Tim. 4:8-9). Consider the stabilizing effect of hope possessed by the child of God (Titus 1:2; Rom. 8:24; Heb. 6:19). Relish the privilege of communion with God in prayer (Heb. 4:16) and the beauty and fellowship with brethren in Christ and the comfort that affords (1 John 1:3-7).
Dear reader, these are only a few of many reasons why you should be a Christian. Are you?
- Sterling Herald, June 21, 2009