I think that's a question we have to be prepared to answer, not just for ourselves but for anyone curious to our life style. Are you a christian because you believe its your birthright? Are you a christian because its become a routine? Are you a christian because you've been told you were one all your life?
I don't really have a big testimony- yet. There hasn't been one moment in my life that I can hand pick and point to stating that was when my whole life turned around. I accepted Christ into my heart at the age of Four, sitting in the bathroom- where my imaginary friends and I used to meet as well- I don't know whether I gave up on imaginary friends that night or not but its kind of amazing to me that at the age of four- when most people can hardly remember what they day last week, the memory comes so clearly in my mind. From then on I've tried growing from that point but I've hit some pot holes along the way, speed bumps, and mole hills have given me humility and wrong turns have shown me that the harder road makes the destination that much more worthwhile. Now I've lived a blessed life- I have amazing parents, enough resources to keep me happy and healthy, but most of all being born into a christian family.
But why in the world do i believe in Jesus Christ?
One of the very first verses I remember falling in love with was from
John 15:13
13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Friends! You know it amazes me that in all the religions of the world- do any of the divine beings ever try to be anything more than tyrants? It seems they give their followers a set of rules and regulations and leave them to fend for themselves. My God doesn't do that. My God sent his one and only Son- Jesus Christ- to us. He sent him here so we would feel connected to him. Everything we go through, every bead of sweat, every churn of hunger, every joy that has enlightened our lips- Christ felt that. And while other gods and other religions leave their people to fend for themselves- leave their people trembling in terror- my God calls me his friend.
You know, he didn't even stop there- you see, when Christ chose to live here- he also chose to die here. Not just die but to die FOR us. That, as he said, is the greatest love. While we deserve to burn or at least live in anguish for all our horrible ways- and yes, no matter how many wonderful things you do, not matter how many people you help or how many diseases you cure- God is perfect! He is unbelievably perfect and amazing and pure- so look at us. We are like filth compared to him but LOOK he still loves us. He took all that pain.
He took all those burdens.
Every spiteful word we spit out. Every Jealous will that suffocated our minds. Every murderous thought we tried but failed to suppress. He bore it ALL. Although the physical burden was disastrous, think about the spiritual, the mental- everything he took on because we are his friends. Because he loves us.
So that is why I love my Jesus. That is why I chose to live separate from everyone else. I love my Jesus because he loves me. Because he would do ANYTHING to have me by his side. I love him because he is my friend- not because he looks at me as just another soul- but because I am special in his sight. The Bible says that every time a new soul is saved ALL of heaven rejoices- just for that one person. I also believe in Christ because he didn't STAY on that cross. 3 days later- just like he promised- he rose from the dead. See- how much hope he reflects. Even in death he still had the potential of something so much greater.
SO where is my lord? Right now he's sitting on the right hand side of God, he's in my heart where he will forever stay, and his spirit is by my side as I write these words to you.
Its a thing we all have to remind ourselves, why did we chose this lifestyle? Its not an easy road, there aren't riches waiting for us at every corner and there aren't crowds of friends ready to give us a hand- but we chose this because Christ chose to suffer death- even death on a cross- because he loves us.
John 14:1-4
1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going."
God Bless.
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